On the effectiveness of using network device state information for network path selection

Abstract

Network path selection defines the methodology of selecting the best routes and forwarding traffic in a network service provider (NSP). NSPs use routing protocols that are optimized for a single arbitrary metric (i.e., administrative weight), which is commonly calculated according to the link state information, to select network paths. Despite the advantages, link-state protocols lack the ability to select network paths by considering the states of network devices such as the effect of routers for network path selection. Apparently, studying possible techniques for selecting network paths based on the state information of network devices, e.g., routers, has become obligatory. This paper studies the effectiveness of using network device state information for network path selection by presenting the Extended Server Link Router state Routing Protocol (ESLR). ESLR uses the state information of network devices as parameters to calculate a composite route metric; ESLR selects the network paths based on the cumulative propagation delay. By simulating ESLR using an ISP topology, the proposed protocol is examined for the effectiveness of using network device state information for network path selection.