Automated Inter-Site Connectivity Discovery in VPN Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In enterprise networks using virtual private networks (VPNs), customers lack visibility into inter-site connectivity and traffic flow, making it difficult to analyze network health and diagnose failures, which leads to inefficiencies and prolonged downtime.
Innovation Solution
An automated method and system that discovers interconnectivity among customer edge devices by creating peer-to-peer and aggregated cloud connections using Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) technologies, enabling effective communication path presentation across geographically distributed sites without accessing provider edge devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If customers use VPN services through provider network, then confidential communication over public network is enabled, but customers lack visibility into inter-site connectivity and traffic flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between customer edge devices and the provider network. This intermediary discovers and maps connectivity paths by injecting probe packets into the network flow and analyzing the responses, thereby providing customers with visibility into inter-site connectivity without requiring direct access to provider edge devices or modifying the core VPN service architecture.
2Productivity
If automated connectivity discovery is implemented, then network communication paths can be identified efficiently, but access to provider edge devices would be required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the customer edge device autonomously performs connectivity discovery by injecting probe packets and analyzing responses. The system discovers network paths and maps connectivity without requiring manual configuration or access to provider edge devices, enabling customers to independently monitor and diagnose their own network health while maintaining the security and operational independence of the provider network.
3Reliability
If manual network monitoring is performed, then network health can be analyzed, but significant staff time and resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated feedback mechanism where probe packets are continuously injected into the network and responses are automatically analyzed. The system maintains real-time visibility into connectivity status and traffic flow patterns, providing continuous feedback about network health without requiring manual intervention. This automated monitoring loop enables accurate network health analysis while eliminating the need for staff to manually track and diagnose connectivity issues.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated method for ascertaining interconnectivity in a network comprises operating a customer edge device at a site that is physically linked with at least one provider edge router and communicates directly with peer sites via a virtual private network (VPN) connection. Inter-site connectivity is discovered among a plurality of customer edge devices in the network and effective communication paths among the plurality of customer edge devices across geographically distributed sites are presented.