Juniper Networks, Inc.
Distributed tactical traffic engineering (TE) using loop free alternative (LFA), remote-LFA (R-LFA) and/or topology independent-LFA (TI-LFA) secondary paths

Abstract:

A tactical solution to network congestion is provided by a data forwarding device having (1) a first interface with a first link to a downstream data forwarding device and (2) second interface with a second link to a downstream data forwarding device, and executing a method comprising: (a) configuring the second interface as part of a loop-free alternate (LFA) path to a destination device, wherein the first interface is part of a shortest/preferred path to the destination device; (b) monitoring congestion at the first interface to determine whether or not the congestion exceeds a first threshold; and (c) responsive to a determination that the congestion exceeds the first threshold, forwarding at least some data addressed to the destination device, over the LFA path via the second interface instead of over the shortest/preferred path via the first interface, thereby alleviating congestion at the first interface, and otherwise, responsive to a determination that the congestion does not exceed the first threshold, not forwarding at least some data addressed to the destination device, over the LFA path via the second interface instead of over the shortest/preferred path via the first interface.