RFC 8333 · PROPOSED STANDARD · 2018

Micro-loop Prevention by Introducing a Local Convergence Delay

Overview

RFC 8333, “Micro-loop Prevention by Introducing a Local Convergence Delay”, is a Proposed Standard document published in March 2018 by S. Litkowski, B. Decraene, C. Filsfils, P. Francois. The canonical text is published by the RFC Editor.

Abstract

This document describes a mechanism for link-state routing protocols that prevents local transient forwarding loops in case of link failure. This mechanism proposes a two-step convergence by introducing a delay between the convergence of the node adjacent to the topology change and the network-wide convergence.

Because this mechanism delays the IGP convergence, it may only be used for planned maintenance or when Fast Reroute (FRR) protects the traffic during the time between the link failure and the IGP convergence.

The mechanism is limited to the link-down event in order to keep the mechanism simple.

Simulations using real network topologies have been performed and show that local loops are a significant portion (>50%) of the total forwarding loops.

Abstract as published in the RFC, via rfc-editor.org.

What “Proposed Standard” means

An entry-level standards-track specification: stable, peer-reviewed and a solid basis for implementation, though it may still evolve before becoming an Internet Standard.

Read this RFC

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