Analysis of Path-vector Routing Stability

TL;DR

This paper introduces a systematic analytical approach using new stability metrics to evaluate the local stability of BGP path-vector routing, moving beyond ad-hoc empirical studies.

Contribution

It defines a set of stability metrics and a method for analyzing BGP trace data to understand the impact of policy and protocol factors on routing stability.

Findings

New stability metrics characterize local BGP stability.

Method enables systematic analysis of BGP trace data.

Insights into policy and protocol effects on routing stability.

Abstract

Most studies on path-vector routing stability have been conducted empirically by means of ad-hoc analysis of BGP data traces. None of them consider prior specification of an analytic method including the use of stability measurement metrics for the systematic analysis of BGP traces and associated meta-processing for determining the local state of the routing system. In this paper, we define a set of metrics that characterize the local stability properties of path-vector routing such as BGP (Border Gateway Protocol). By means of these stability metrics, we propose a method to analyze the effects of BGP policy- and protocol-induced instability on local routers.