Method and apparatus for automatically managing network routes

A method, comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

• creating and storing first information identifying a network element and second information identifying a customer entity that uses the network element;
• receiving, from the network element, a total routes value indicating a number of routes that the network element has stored in a routing table in the network element;
• determining a fee applicable to the customer entity for storing the number of routes represented by the total routes value;
• and
• automatically charging the fee to an account associated with the customer entity.

A method, comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

• determining a number of routes that a network element has stored in a routing table in the network element, wherein the number of routes and the network element are associated with a customer entity that uses the network element;
• determining a fee applicable to the customer entity for the number of routes;
• and
• automatically applying an update to an account record stored in a database and associated with the customer entity, wherein the update represents charging the fee to an account associated with the customer entity.

A managed network system, comprising:

• one or more routers that are communicatively coupled in a packet-switched network that is managed by an internet service provider having a plurality of customer entities, wherein each of the customer entities uses one or more of the routers;
• a database configured to store at least first information identifying a particular router among the one or more routers, second information identifying a particular customer entity that uses the particular router, a maximum routes limit value representing a maximum number of routes that the particular router is allowed to store for the particular customer, and a threshold routes limit value that is less than the maximum routes limit value;
• and
• route billing logic comprising one or more sequences of program instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform:
• receiving a total routes value from the network element indicating that the network element has added, to a routing table of the network element, a number of routes equal to the total routes value;
• and
• in response to determining that the total routes value is greater than the threshold routes limit value, automatically performing a response action.

An apparatus for providing automatic management of network routes, comprising:

• a network interface that is coupled to the data network for receiving one or more packet flows therefrom;
• a processor;
• one or more stored sequences of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out the steps of:
• creating and storing, in association with first information identifying a network element and second information identifying a customer entity that uses the network element, a maximum routes limit value representing a maximum number of routes that the network element is allowed to store, and a threshold routes limit value that is less than the maximum routes limit value;
• receiving a total routes value from the network element indicating that the network element has added, to a routing table of the network element, a number of routes equal to the total routes value;
• in response to determining that the total routes value is greater than the threshold routes limit value, automatically performing a responsive action.