The traffic engineering (TE) process is used for optimizing and designing paths to carry traffic that differs from those selected automatically by the routing protocol(s) in place.
The network administrators may use the traffic engineering process as part of their overall network management strategy.
This process which involves periodic analyses and/or predictions of network traffic growth consists of the following steps:
Traffic measurement: First, network statistics are gathered from network nodes or intermediate collection devices in order to fuel and drive this process.
Traffic analysis and management: The collected data is then used as input for intermediate traffic engineering analysis processes. It determines whether the network's physical or logical configuration needs to be adjusted. Traffic matrix statistics is a popular method of collecting and viewing traffic engineering data gathered from network nodes.
Typically to achieve efficient performance, the traffic engineering system needs to be dynamic and adaptive to changes. These include the failure of network devices or the addition/removal of network elements or links to/from the operational network.
The primary objective of traffic engineering is to maximize resource utilization and enhance network performance by effectively managing traffic flow. In the given example, the shortest path from router A to router D, depicted in the figure, is A-E-D. If the shortest path algorithm is employed for forwarding in this network, all traffic originating from router A and destined for router D will follow this shortest route. However, the alternative path A-B-C-D would allow for a more balanced distribution of traffic across the network.
Due to the expense of network assets and the high level of competition on the internet, TE has become a vital function in many large provider networks. However, it has many advantages:
Improves the efficiency and reliability of network operations.
Steers traffic dynamically, enhances the performance of network traffic and ensures optimal network resource utilization.
Predetermines the paths for network packets in order to comply with network policies.
Protects against the failure of network nodes or links and provides additional control of how traffic is rerouted in the case of failure.
Controls congestions reactively.
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