VRF Edge Device Anycast Label Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) networks, the recalculation of routes and load balancing following disruptions imposes significant computational burdens on ingress provider edge devices, leading to potential data packet loss and increased resource usage.
Innovation Solution
The synchronization of a common base label, unique index value, and anycast next-hop address among egress provider edge devices allows for efficient rerouting and load balancing without requiring extensive recalculations, using these labels to encapsulate and route data packets through redundant paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If route recalculation is performed following network disruptions in large VRF networks, then routing paths can be restored, but computational burden on ingress provider edge devices increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes multiple equal-cost multi-path routes between ingress and egress provider edge devices before disruptions occur. By having backup paths pre-configured, the system eliminates the need for computationally intensive route recalculation when disruptions happen, as routers can immediately switch to pre-defined alternative paths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of routing information and path data across the network infrastructure. Each ingress and egress device maintains copies of routing tables and path information, enabling fast local decision-making without requiring centralized recalculation, thus reducing computational burden on any single device
2Reliability
If multiple routing tables are maintained for redundancy and load balancing, then network reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal routing framework where a single routing table structure serves multiple functions: it supports both primary and backup paths, enables load balancing across multiple egress devices, and provides consistent routing behavior throughout the VRF network. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate routing tables for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple routing functions into a unified routing table structure. Instead of maintaining separate routing tables for different VRFs or different path types, the system combines them into a single integrated table that uses consistent lookup and forwarding rules, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining redundancy
3Reliability
If route recalculation is performed after disruptions, then network connectivity is restored, but data packet loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures multiple active paths and establishes them in the forwarding tables before disruptions occur. When a disruption happens, traffic can be immediately redirected along pre-established alternative paths without waiting for recalculation, thereby preventing packet loss while restoring connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous routing functionality by maintaining multiple active paths simultaneously. Instead of having a single path that requires complete recalculation upon failure, the system keeps backup paths active and ready, ensuring continuous packet forwarding even during disruptions, thus eliminating packet loss
Data Source
AI summary
Virtual routing and forwarding techniques in a Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) systems using a common base label and a common index are provided herein. An advertisement is received from a device external to the VRF system, the advertisement including an address of the device. Egress edge devices of the VRF system communicate to determine the common base label and the common index to be associated with the address. A data packet is received from a network device in the VRF system. A match is determined between an overlay label of the data packet and a label value corresponding to a combination of the common base label and the common index. A set of operations are performed modifying the overlay label based on the match. The modified data packet is sent to the device external to the VRF system.