An Identifier/Locator Split Architecture for Exploring Path Diversity through Site Multi-Homing - A Hybrid Host-Network Cooperative Approach

In this paper, we take a fresh look at stub-site multihoming within the paradigms of an identifier/locator split architecture. More specifically, we investigate the possibility of enabling multi-homed stub network sites to improve the performance of their end-to-end TCP flows by leveraging the path diversity of the underlying network. We design a host-network co-operative mechanism for end-to-end flow path switching based on reliable transport layer protocol "hints" indicating probable path problems. Our evaluations of actual Internet routing/topology data strongly suggest significant degree of path diversity across path switches available to multihomed stub networks, even within the restricted precincts of inter-domain policy routing. Additionally, we also address the problems of global routing scalability and inbound traffic engineering control as pertaining to stub-site multi-homing.