Benchmarking Methodology for Link-State IGP Data-Plane Route Convergence
RFC 6413

Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)                       S. Poretsky
Request for Comments: 6413                          Allot Communications
Category: Informational                                        B. Imhoff
ISSN: 2070-1721                                         Juniper Networks
                                                           K. Michielsen
                                                           Cisco Systems
                                                           November 2011

Benchmarking Methodology for Link-State IGP Data-Plane Route Convergence

Abstract

   This document describes the methodology for benchmarking Link-State
   Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) Route Convergence.  The methodology
   is to be used for benchmarking IGP convergence time through
   externally observable (black-box) data-plane measurements.  The
   methodology can be applied to any link-state IGP, such as IS-IS and
   OSPF.

Status of This Memo

   This document is not an Internet Standards Track specification; it is
   published for informational purposes.

   This document is a product of the Internet Engineering Task Force
   (IETF).  It represents the consensus of the IETF community.  It has
   received public review and has been approved for publication by the
   Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG).  Not all documents
   approved by the IESG are a candidate for any level of Internet
   Standard; see Section 2 of RFC 5741.

   Information about the current status of this document, any errata,
   and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at
   http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6413.

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Poretsky, et al.              Informational                     [Page 1]
RFC 6413          IGP Convergence Benchmark Methodology    November 2011

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Table of Contents

   1.  Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
     1.1.  Motivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
     1.2.  Factors for IGP Route Convergence Time . . . . . . . . . .  4
     1.3.  Use of Data Plane for IGP Route Convergence
           Benchmarking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
     1.4.  Applicability and Scope  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
   2.  Existing Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
   3.  Test Topologies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
     3.1.  Test Topology for Local Changes  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
     3.2.  Test Topology for Remote Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
     3.3.  Test Topology for Local ECMP Changes . . . . . . . . . . . 10
     3.4.  Test Topology for Remote ECMP Changes  . . . . . . . . . . 11
     3.5.  Test topology for Parallel Link Changes  . . . . . . . . . 11
   4.  Convergence Time and Loss of Connectivity Period . . . . . . . 12
     4.1.  Convergence Events without Instant Traffic Loss  . . . . . 13
     4.2.  Loss of Connectivity (LoC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
   5.  Test Considerations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
     5.1.  IGP Selection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
     5.2.  Routing Protocol Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
     5.3.  IGP Topology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
     5.4.  Timers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
     5.5.  Interface Types  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
     5.6.  Offered Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18