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View Equal Cost Multiple-Paths

Equal Cost Multiple-Paths (ECMP) reports provide a list of all the ECMPs available in your network. You can also view each individual paths highlighted in a separate window.

To view ECMPs in your network:

  1. Right-click on the topology map and select Labels > Link Labels > Show Link Metrics.
    Figure 1: Show Link Distance Dialog box titled Link Labels with options for showing labels on links: All, None, Only Current Selection, Add, Remove. Text options: Interface Name, Utilization, IP Subnet Address, Metric, Delay, Bandwidth, Customize. OK and Cancel buttons.
  2. The link metrics are displayed.
    Figure 2: Topology Map with Link Distances Network topology diagram with interconnected nodes and links labeled with 10, indicating bandwidth or cost. Different link colors may represent connection types or protocols.
  3. Select Report > Report Manager to open up the Report Manager.
  4. Select Network Reports > Demand Reports > Equal Cost Multi-Path Report from the left panel to bring up the report listing all of the equal cost multiple-paths of the network. As can be seen in Figure 3, there are many such paths. This report is also saved on the server as EQPATHRPT. runcode. Note that the ECMP paths are calculated based on IP metric only, and do not factor in the influence of MPLS traffic engineering tunnels on the demand routing.
    Figure 3: Equal Cost Multiple-Paths Report Network analysis tool interface showing ECMP routing details with paths like ATL to BOS and ATL to SDG, bandwidth, and routing info.
  5. Select Network > Path & Capacity > Equivalent Path to bring up the Demand Equivalent Path window.
    Figure 4: Network > Path & Capacity > Equivalent Path Dropdown menu for network path and capacity management with highlighted option Equivalent Path under Path and Capacity.
  6. Select Node A and Node B, then click Show Path. The Path window will be displayed.
    Figure 5: Demand Equivalent Path Graphical user interface for network path configuration titled Demand Equivalent Path with dropdowns for Node A and Z, IP and IPv6 fields, owner, bandwidth, path type, priority settings, path config options, and buttons for highlighting nodes, showing path, closing, and help.
  7. All of the equivalent paths between the two selected nodes will be displayed in the Paths window. Select a path to view its detailed information and highlight it on the topology map.
    Figure 6: Equivalent Cost Paths Network visualization tool interface showing paths from ATL to BOS with link details and utilization levels. Top panels list paths and nodes; bottom panels display a color-coded network map. Legends explain utilization.

    Reducing Equal Cost Multiple Paths

  8. If you choose your link metrics wisely (such as using the real distance in miles like in Figure 7), you can increase the variability of the path costs which will make it less likely for equal cost multiple-paths to occur.
    Figure 7: Topology Map With New Link Distances Network diagram with nodes connected by lines, numbers indicating connection weights, and colors showing connection types.
    Figure 8: Routing according to Actual Mileage Software interface for configuring IP/MPLS network options with settings for path placement, routing methods, and performance parameters.
  9. Open up the Equal Cost Multi-Path Report again and you will see that there are no longer any equal cost multiple-paths in the network with the new link metrics.
    Figure 9: New Equal Cost Multiple-Paths Report Report Manager interface displaying a report on EQUAL COST MULTI-PATH INFO. Shows network paths and directory tree with report categories.