Method and apparatus for coordinating routing parameters via a back-channel communication medium
First Claim
1. A communications back-channel, for coordinating routing decisions, the communications back channel comprising:
- a plurality of networking devices;
a plurality of routing intelligence units, wherein each of the plurality of the plurality of routing intelligence units includes software for controlling a distinct subset of the plurality of networking devices, each of the plurality of routing intelligence units further including;
one or more processes for controlling the distinct subset of networking devices; and
one or more coordination processes for exchanging routing parameters with the plurality of routing intelligence units.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are described for enabling routers to coordinate via a back-channel communication medium. The information exchanged over the back-channel is used to increase the number of paths considered for the routers during route optimization. The Decision Makers may assert routes and prefixes to the routers under their control. This may be done via a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) feed. The Decision Makers, in turn, communicate separately with one another, in order to coordinate routing policy amongst themselves. This coordination may be performed over a back-channel, which may take the form of physical or logical connections between the Decision Makers.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A communications back-channel, for coordinating routing decisions, the communications back channel comprising:
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a plurality of networking devices;
a plurality of routing intelligence units, wherein each of the plurality of the plurality of routing intelligence units includes software for controlling a distinct subset of the plurality of networking devices, each of the plurality of routing intelligence units further including;
one or more processes for controlling the distinct subset of networking devices; and
one or more coordination processes for exchanging routing parameters with the plurality of routing intelligence units. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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14. A method of exchanging routing parameters amongst a plurality of decision makers, each decision maker controlling a distinct subset of a plurality of routers, wherein the plurality of decision makers are in communication via a dedicated mesh, the method comprising:
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asserting a first plurality of preferred routes for a first plurality of prefixes to the subset of routers; and
concurrent with the asserting the first plurality of preferred routes, sending a plurality of local performance scores for the first plurality of routes to the plurality of decision makers via the dedicated mesh.
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Specification