Method and apparatus for controlling the dissemination of routing information on a communication network
First Claim
1. A method of controlling the dissemination of routing information on a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a link state advertisement from the network;
ascertaining distance information associated with at least one of the link state advertisement and link state information contained in the link state advertisement; and
selectively forwarding the link state advertisement on the network, the step of selectively forwarding depending on the ascertained distance information.
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Abstract
The propagation of link state advertisements (LSAs) is limited by defining a propagation radius on the network, measured by sum of link cost, or using another metric. By limiting the distance a LSA will propagate on the network it is possible to limit LSA traffic on the network without defining areas on the network. This eliminates the need to name those areas and designate nodes as belonging to particular areas, which enables the nodes to be added on an ad-hoc basis without a centralized management structure. Additionally, this enables the nodes to be mobile on the network without requiring close monitoring and updating of area affiliation by the nodes. Further, not having areas on the network eliminates the requirement for area border routers to control link state advertisements, reduces or eliminates special intra-area communication protocol exchanges, and avoids potential congestion which may occur in connection with inter-area traffic.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of controlling the dissemination of routing information on a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a link state advertisement from the network;
ascertaining distance information associated with at least one of the link state advertisement and link state information contained in the link state advertisement; and
selectively forwarding the link state advertisement on the network, the step of selectively forwarding depending on the ascertained distance information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A network topology, comprising:
a plurality of OSPF routers interconnected in a network and belonging to an OSPF area, said plurality of OSPF routers being configured to limit the dissemination of Link State Advertisements (LSAs) within the OSPF area such that not every OSPF router within the OSPF area receives every LSA. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A network node, comprising:
control logic configured to inspect a link state advertisement received from a network, ascertain distance information associated with the link state advertisement, and selectively drop the link state advertisement if the distance information exceeds a predetermined metric. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification