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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 DistanceDialog box titled Link Labels with sections for Show Labels for and What Text with OK and Cancel buttons.
  2. The link metrics are displayed.
    Figure 2: Topology Map with Link Distances Network topology diagram with interconnected nodes and labeled links showing a value of 10, indicating metrics like bandwidth or cost.
  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 ReportScreenshot of a network analysis tool displaying a menu of reports on the left and detailed data on Equal Cost Multi-Path paths on the right.
  5. Select Network > Path & Capacity > Equivalent Path to bring up the Demand Equivalent Path window.
    Figure 4: Network > Path & Capacity > Equivalent PathDropdown menu with options for network path and capacity management. Highlighted: 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 PathGraphical user interface for configuring network paths with fields for node selection, IP addresses, owner, bandwidth, path type, and options. Includes buttons for highlighting nodes, showing paths, and accessing 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 PathsNetwork visualization tool interface with two side-by-side panels. Each panel shows path information and a network map. Path details include path names, interface info, tunnel types, and node IDs. Network map displays nodes and color-coded links for utilization: red 100 percent, yellow 90 percent, green 75 percent, cyan 50 percent. Panels compare two routing scenarios for network optimization.

    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 DistancesNetwork topology diagram with interconnected nodes showing bandwidth, cost, or latency metrics. Different link colors indicate connection types or metrics. Circular icons represent network devices.
    Figure 8: Routing according to Actual MileageConfiguring IP/MPLS path placement options with fields for Max Hop, Routing Method, Placement Order, and Path Selection Method.
  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 ReportSoftware interface for Report Manager tool with two main sections: Left Panel with report categories like Path & Diversity, Equal Cost Multi-Path, CoS Demands, and Right Panel showing ECMP report titled EQUAL COST MULTI-PATH INFO -- mpls-fish, metadata, notations, and data fields. Toolbar at top for printing, finding text, navigating, regenerating, and help.