US 12,003,409 B2 · Hierarchical ECMP control plane for dense topologies

Abstract

Techniques and mechanisms for a control plane approach for dense topologies that focusses on discovering shared ECMP groups in the control plane independent of per-prefix learning and then learning prefixes via these shared ECMP groups instead of learning prefixes via one next-hop at a time. In dense topologies, this approach helps minimize BGP path scale, corresponding signaling and enables control plane scaling that is an order of magnitude higher than a traditional eBGP control plane. During link and node topology changes, the described control plane approach enables control plane signaling that is prefix independent and an order of magnitude lower. A control plane approach to path-list sharing and prefix independent signaling on link and node topology changes enables prefix independent convergence (PIC) in scenarios that would not be possible otherwise with traditional FIB driven path-list sharing and PIC.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method within an equal cost multi-path routing (ECMP) control plane, the method comprising:

receiving, at a first intermediate node of multiple intermediate nodes, one or more Internet Protocol (IP) prefixes from a downstream node, wherein:
the multiple intermediate nodes broadcast a next-hop group identification (ID) to an upstream node;
the next-hop group ID identifies a next-hop group of the multiple intermediate nodes that each have access to the downstream node that has access to the one or more IP prefixes;
and
the first intermediate node has been designated, by the upstream node, a primary designated speaker for the next-hop group of the multiple intermediate nodes;
and
broadcasting, by only the first intermediate node to the upstream node, the one or more IP prefixes.

4 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

one or more processors;
and
one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform actions comprising:
receiving, at a first intermediate node of multiple intermediate nodes, one or more Internet Protocol (IP) prefixes from a downstream node, wherein:
the multiple intermediate nodes broadcast a next-hop group identification (ID) to an upstream node;
the next-hop group ID identifies a next-hop group of the multiple intermediate nodes that each have access to the downstream node that has access to the one or more IP prefixes;
and
the first intermediate node has been designated, by the upstream node, a primary designated speaker for the next-hop group of the multiple intermediate nodes;
and
broadcasting, by only the first intermediate node to the upstream node, the one or more IP prefixes.

7 more elements

A method within an equal cost multi-path routing (ECMP) control plane, the method comprising:

receiving, at an upstream node, a next-hop group identification (ID) from multiple intermediate nodes, wherein the multiple intermediate nodes are located downstream from the upstream node, and wherein the next-hop group ID identifies a next-hop group of intermediate nodes that each have access to a downstream node that has access to one or more Internet Protocol (IP) prefixes;
programming the upstream node with the next-hop group of intermediate nodes comprising next-hops of the multiple intermediate nodes;
designating, by the upstream node, one of the multiple intermediate nodes as a primary designated speaker for the next-hop group of intermediate nodes;
and
receiving, at the upstream node from only the primary designated speaker for the next-hop group of intermediate nodes, the one or more IP prefixes.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hierarchical ECMP control plane for dense topologies

Life of this patent

Hierarchical ECMP control plane for dense topologies

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20