Service-Aware WAN Path Computation for Redundant Traffic Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional centralized controllers in wide area networks (WANs) fail to utilize redundant paths efficiently, leading to path overload and data loss, and do not account for application-specific requirements, resulting in sub-optimal data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A centralized controller identifies multiple alternative paths for each type of data transmission between routers, considering application-specific metrics such as latency, jitter, and bandwidth, and distributes traffic across these paths using AAVT routing tables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centralized controller determines a single best route for packets between routers, then routing simplicity is maintained, but path overload and data loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing decision process by separating control plane (centralized controller computing multiple paths) from data plane (routers selecting paths based on application requirements). It segments path selection into multiple alternative paths rather than a single path, allowing load distribution while maintaining centralized control simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects from multiple pre-computed paths based on real-time application requirements and network conditions. The controller recomputes paths periodically or on-demand, and routers dynamically choose appropriate paths, making the routing flexible rather than static.
2Device complexity
If all data traffic is sent over the same path, then routing configuration is simplified, but bandwidth availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic into different application types and assigns different paths to different applications. Multiple alternative paths are computed and stored, then selectively applied to different data flows, effectively segmenting the bandwidth resource across multiple paths rather than concentrating it on a single path.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the routing parameter (path selection) based on application-specific metrics such as latency, jitter, and bandwidth requirements. Different applications get different path assignments based on their performance requirements, optimizing bandwidth utilization across the network.
3Device complexity
If a single best path is used, then control plane complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different application requirements is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized controller performs preliminary computation of multiple alternative paths and stores them in advance. When traffic needs to be routed, the controller queries pre-computed paths rather than computing in real-time, reducing control plane complexity while maintaining adaptability to different application requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where routers provide information about application requirements and network conditions back to the controller. This feedback loop enables the controller to adjust path selections to better match application-specific needs while maintaining efficient control plane operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for generating routing tables and providing these tables to routers in a network for use in routing data to various destination routers. One embodiment comprises an apparatus that includes a centralized controller for a network. The centralized controller is adapted to receive link metrics for a plurality of links between routers in a WAN. For each pair of routers, the centralized controller determines the paths between the router pair, determines suitability metrics for each path, wherein each metric is specific to a corresponding data type, and selects, for each data type, a corresponding subset of the paths between the router pair based at least in part on the suitability metrics for the data type. The centralized controller then transmits, to each of the routers in the WAN, the selected subsets of the paths for the corresponding router.