Area abstraction extensions to routing protocols

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform a method for routing protocol area abstraction, the method comprising:

• electing an area leader from among a plurality of network devices in a network comprising a first area and second area;
• generating, by the area leader, an area representation node identifier associated with the first area of the network, the first area comprising a plurality of first area network devices, a plurality of area edge devices, and the area leader, wherein the area representation node identifier identifies an area representation node used to represent the first area;
• distributing, by the area leader, the area representation node identifier to the plurality of area edge devices, wherein distributing the area representation node identifier to the plurality of area edge devices triggers each area edge device of the plurality of area edge devices to determine a portion of a plurality of second area devices to which they are adjacent;
• receiving, by the area leader and from the plurality of area edge devices, a plurality of second area link state packets (LSPs) in response to the distribution of the area representation node identifier, wherein each of the plurality of second area LSPs comprise the area representation node identifier and the portion of the plurality of second area devices to which each area edge device of the plurality of area edge devices is adjacent;
• generating, by the area leader and using the plurality of second area LSPs, an area representation node LSP comprising the area representation node identifier and a plurality of area neighbor adjacencies between the plurality of area edge devices and the plurality of second area devices;
• and
• distributing, by the area leader, the area representation node LSP to each of the plurality of second area network devices in the second area of the network, wherein, in response to receiving a copy of the area representation node LSP, each of the plurality of second area network devices advertise an adjacency to the area representation node to a plurality of other second area devices.

A system for routing protocol area abstraction, the system comprising:

• an elected area leader comprising a processor, a memory, and a storage device, and operatively connected to a plurality of area edge devices, a plurality of first area network devices of a first area of a network also comprising the plurality of area edge devices, and the area leader, and a plurality of second area network devices of a second area of the network also comprising the plurality of area edge devices, and the area leader, wherein the elected area leader is configured to:
• generate an area representation node identifier associated with the first area of the network, wherein the area representation node identifier identifies an area representation node used to represent the first area;
• distribute the area representation node identifier to the plurality of area edge devices, wherein the distribution of the area representation node identifier to the plurality of area edge devices trig ers each area edge device of the plurality of area edge devices to determine a portion of a plurality of second area devices to which they are adjacent;
• receive, from the plurality of area edge devices, a plurality of second area link state packets (LSPs) in response to the distribution of the area representation node identifier, wherein each of the plurality of second area LSPs comprise the area representation node identifier and the portion of the plurality of second area devices to which each area edge device of the plurality of area edge devices is adjacent;
• generate, using the plurality of second area LSPs, an area representation node LSP comprising the area representation node identifier and a plurality of area neighbor adjacencies between the plurality of area edge devices and the plurality of second area devices;
• and
• distribute the area representation node LSP to each of the plurality of second area network devices,
• wherein, in response to receiving a copy of the area representation node LSP, each of the plurality second area of network devices advertise an adjacency to the area representation node to a plurality of other second area devices.