Viewing Equal Cost Multiple-Paths | Paragon Automation (Pathfinder, Planner, Insights) 24.1

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 to show labels for links and specify text type like Interface Name, Utilization.

Dialog box titled Link Labels with options to show labels for links and specify text type like Interface Name, Utilization.

The link metrics are displayed.

Figure 2: Topology Map with Link Distances Network topology diagram with nodes labeled SFO, DEN, ATL, etc., connected by links with labels like 342 and 1000, indicating connection metrics.

Network topology diagram with nodes labeled SFO, DEN, ATL, etc., connected by links with labels like 342 and 1000, indicating connection metrics.

Select Report > Report Manager to open up the Report Manager.

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 Report Manager tool showing Equal Cost Multi-Path report under Demand Reports with network paths, nodes like LAX, DET, SFO, HOU, and delays such as delay=39.044ms.

Report Manager tool showing Equal Cost Multi-Path report under Demand Reports with network paths, nodes like LAX, DET, SFO, HOU, and delays such as delay=39.044ms.

Select Network > Path & Capacity > Equivalent Path to bring up the Demand Equivalent Path window.

Note:

Use the Equivalent Path option to view ECMPs when there is no demand between two locations.

Figure 4: Network > Path & Capacity > Equivalent Path Dropdown menu with options: Link Rules; Path and Capacity submenu with Path, Paths AZ plus ZA, Diverse Path, Site Path, Site Diverse Path, Equivalent Path; Equal Metrics at PE; Show Site Demands; Aggreg Demands; Aggreg Tunnels; Pricer; Templates submenu.

Dropdown menu with options: Link Rules; Path and Capacity submenu with Path, Paths AZ plus ZA, Diverse Path, Site Path, Site Diverse Path, Equivalent Path; Equal Metrics at PE; Show Site Demands; Aggreg Demands; Aggreg Tunnels; Pricer; Templates submenu.

Select Node A and Node B, then click Show Path. The Path window is displayed.

Figure 5: Demand Equivalent Path Screenshot of "Demand Equivalent Path" interface for configuring network paths, showing fields for nodes, IP addresses, owner, bandwidth, type, priority, and buttons for node highlighting and path display.

Screenshot of "Demand Equivalent Path" interface for configuring network paths, showing fields for nodes, IP addresses, owner, bandwidth, type, priority, and buttons for node highlighting and path display.

All of the equivalent paths (paths with equal costs) 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.

Alternatively, select All Paths from the Show Path drop-down list to highlight all the paths between the two locations.

Figure 6: Equivalent Cost Paths Network visualization tool showing paths between nodes LAX, SDG, ATL, and HOU. Utilization levels are color-coded, ranging from blue to red.

Network visualization tool showing paths between nodes LAX, SDG, ATL, and HOU. Utilization levels are color-coded, ranging from blue to red.

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 topology diagram with nodes labeled by city abbreviations like BOS and DEN. Links show metrics. Highlighted node BOS indicates focus.

Network topology diagram with nodes labeled by city abbreviations like BOS and DEN. Links show metrics. Highlighted node BOS indicates focus.

Open up the Equal Cost Multi-Path Report again and you will see that there no equal cost multiple-paths in the network with the new link metrics.

Figure 8: New Equal Cost Multiple-Paths Report Software interface for Report Manager tool showing Layer 3 network reports menu and selected Equal Cost Multi-Path Info report with metadata and table header.