Traffic engineering with traditional IP routing protocols

TLDR

Traffic engineering adapts routing to network conditions to improve user performance and resource efficiency. The paper proposes an intradomain traffic engineering approach compatible with existing interior gateway protocols like OSPF and IS‑IS. The method adjusts link weights using a network‑wide view of traffic and topology, and reviews studies on optimizing OSPF/IS‑IS weights for prevailing traffic. The authors find that traditional shortest‑path routing protocols are surprisingly effective for traffic engineering in large IP networks.

Abstract

Traffic engineering involves adapting the routing of traffic to network conditions, with the joint goals of good user performance and efficient use of network resources. We describe an approach to intradomain traffic engineering that works within the existing deployed base of interior gateway protocols, such as Open Shortest Path First and Intermediate System-Intermediate System. We explain how to adapt the configuration of link weights, based on a networkwide view of the traffic and topology within a domain. In addition, we summarize the results of several studies of techniques for optimizing OSPF/IS-IS weights to the prevailing traffic. The article argues that traditional shortest path routing protocols are surprisingly effective for engineering the flow of traffic in large IP networks.