Evaluation Framework for Adaptive Multi-Path Inter-Domain Routing Protocols

Abstract

The simultaneous usage of multiple paths in communication networks has the potential to generate important benefits like better utilization of available resources and higher resiliency. Routing solutions with poor adaptive performance can benefit from multi-path techniques, since information about alternative paths is gathered beforehand. In particular, this study explores the embracement of multi-path routing by inter-domain routing protocols, which have been proven to have large convergence delay after network changes. Unfortunately, there are not many tools available to evaluate and compare the adaptive properties of different multi-path inter-domain routing proposals. An evaluation framework for those proposals is presented in this paper. The framework is aimed to provide a common ground for their evaluation and comparison. It is conceived based on a Swiss-army-knife approach and has a modular and extensible architecture. For completeness, a case of use is depicted to show the functionality and analyses that can be carried out using this framework.