Many possible constrains may be used to compute a path over a network. Some networks are deployed with multiple planes. A simple form of constrain may be to use a particular plane. A more sophisticated form of constrain can include some extended metric, like delay, as described in [RFC7810]. Even more advanced case could be to restrict the path and avoid links with certain affinities. Combinations of these are also possible. To provide a maximum flexibility, the mapping between the algorithm value and its meaning can be defined by the user. When all the routers in the domain have the common understanding what the particular algorithm value represents, the computation for such algorithm is consistent and the traffic is not subject to looping. Here, since the meaning of the algorithm is not defined by any standard, but is defined by the user, it is called as Flexible Algorithm.

An algorithm defines how the best path is computed by IGP. Routers advertise the support for the algorithm as a node capability. Prefix-SIDs are also advertised with an algorithm value and are tightly coupled with the algorithm itself.

An algorithm is a one octet value. Values from 128 to 255 are reserved for user defined values and are used for Flexible Algorithm representation.

To guarantee the loop free forwarding for paths computed for a particular Flexible Algorithm, all routers in the network must share the same definition of the Flexible Algorithm. This is achieved by dedicated router(s) advertising the definition of each Flexible Algorithm. Such advertisement is associated with the priority to make sure that all routers will agree on a single and consistent definition for each Flexible Algorithm.

Definition of Flexible Algorithm includes:

• Metric type

• Affinity constraints

To enable the router to advertise the definition for the particular Flexible Algorithm, advertise-definition command is used. At least one router in the area, preferably two for redundancy, must advertise the Flexible Algorithm definition. Without the valid definition being advertised, the Flexible Algorithm will not be functional.

To be able to forward traffic on a Flexible Algorithm specific path, all routers participating in the Flexible Algorithm will install a MPLS labeled path for the Flexible Algorithm specific SID that is advertised for the prefix. Only prefixes for which the Flexible Algorithm specific Prefix-SID is advertised is subject to Flexible Algorithm specific forwarding.

A router may compute path for multiple Flexible Algorithms. A router must be configured to support particular Flexible Algorithm before it can compute any path for such Flexible Algorithm. A router must have a valid definition of the Flexible Algorithm before such Flexible Algorithm is used.

When computing the shortest path tree for particular Flexible Algorithm:

• All nodes that do not advertise support for such Flexible Algorithm will be pruned from the topology.

• If the Flexible Algorithm definition includes affinities that are excluded, then all links for which any of such affinities are advertised will be pruned from the topology.

• Router uses the metric that is part of the Flexible Algorithm definition. If the metric is not advertised for the particular link, such link will be pruned from the topology.

IS-IS supports Loop Free Alternate (LFA) paths, TI-LFA backup paths, and Microloop Avoidance paths for particular Flexible Algorithm. OSPF supports Loop Free Alternate (LFA) and TI-LFA backup paths for particular Flexible Algorithm. These paths are computed using the same constraints as the calculation of the primary paths for such Flexible Algorithm. These paths use Prefix-SIDs advertised specifically for such Flexible Algorithm in order to enforce a backup or microloop avoidance path.

Flexible Algorithm path to any prefix must be installed in the forwarding using the Prefix-SID that was advertised for such Flexible Algorithm. If the Prefix-SID for Flexible Algorithm is not known, such Flexible Algorithm path is not installed in forwarding for such prefix..

Only MPLS to MPLS entries are installed for a Flexible Algorithm path. No IP to IP or IP to MPLS entries are installed. These follow the native IGP paths computed based on the default algorithm and regular IGP metrics.

Previously, prefix redistribution from IS-IS to another IS-IS instance or protocol was limited to SR algorithm 0 (regular SPF) prefix SIDs; SR algorithm 1 (Strict SPF) and SR algorithms 128-255 (Flexible Algorithm) prefix SIDs were not redistributed along with the prefix. The Segment Routing IS-IS Flexible Algorithm Prefix SID Redistribution feature allows redistribution of strict and flexible algorithms prefix SIDs from IS-IS to another IS-IS instance or protocols. This feature is enabled automatically when you configure redistribution of IS-IS Routes with strict or Flexible Algorithm SIDs.

Prefix redistribution from OSPF to another AS was limited to SR algorithm 0 (regular SPF) prefix SIDs; SR algorithm 1 (Strict SPF) and SR algorithms 128-255 (Flexible Algorithm) prefix SIDs were not redistributed along with the prefix. Starting from Cisco IOS XR Release 7.5.2, the Flexible Algorithm Prefix-SID Redistribution for External Route Propagation feature allows redistribution of strict and flexible algorithm prefixes SIDs from OSPF to another AS and also from another AS into OSPF.

Router#show ospf routes flex-algo 240 route-type external detail 
Route Table of ospf-1 with router ID 192.168.0.2 (VRF default)
 
  Algorithm 240
 
  Route entry for 192.168.4.3/32, Metric 220, SID 536, Label 16536
   Priority : Medium
 
     Route type : Extern Type 1     
Last updated : Apr 25 14:30:12.718
     Flags: Inuse
 
     Prefix Contrib Algo 240 SID 536
      From 192.168.0.4 Route-type 5
      Total Metric : 220 Base metric 20 FAPM 20
      Contrib Flags : Inuse, Reachable
      SID Flags : PHP off, Index, Global, Valid
 
      Path: 10.1.1.3, from 192.168.0.4, via GigabitEthernet0/2/0/2
       Out Label  : 16536
       Weight     : 0
       Area       : 0
 
      Path: 10.1.2.3, from 192.168.0.4, via GigabitEthernet0/2/0/3
       Out Label  : 16536
       Weight     : 0
       Area       : 0
 
      Path: 10.2.1.5, from 192.168.0.4, via GigabitEthernet0/2/0/4
       Out Label  : 16536
       Weight     : 0
       Area       : 0
 
  Route entry for 192.168.4.5/32, Metric 120, SID 556, Label 16556
   Priority : Medium
 
     Route type : Extern Type 1
     Last updated : Apr 25 14:30:12.724
     Flags: Inuse
 
     Prefix Contrib Algo 240 SID 556
      From 192.168.0.3 Route-type 5
      Total Metric : 120 Base metric 1 FAPM 20
      Contrib Flags : Inuse, Reachable
      SID Flags : PHP off, Index, Global, Valid
 
      Path: 10.1.1.3, from 192.168.0.3, via GigabitEthernet0/2/0/2
       Out Label  : 16556
       Weight     : 0
       Area       : 0
 
      Path: 10.1.2.3, from 192.168.0.3, via GigabitEthernet0/2/0/3
       Out Label  : 16556
       Weight     : 0
       Area       : 0

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:ios# show route 192.168.0.2/32 detail
Wed Apr  6 16:24:46.021 IST
 
Routing entry for 192.168.0.2/32
  Known via "ospf 1", distance 110, metric 2, labeled SR, type intra area
  Installed Apr  6 15:51:57.973 for 00:32:48
  Routing Descriptor Blocks
    10.10.10.2, from 192.168.0.2, via GigabitEthernet0/2/0/0, Protected
      Route metric is 2
      Label: 0x3 (3)
      Tunnel ID: None
      Binding Label: None
      Extended communities count: 0
      Path id:1       Path ref count:0
      NHID:0x1(Ref:1)
      Backup path id:65
      OSPF area: 1
    10.11.11.2, from 192.168.0.2, via GigabitEthernet0/2/0/1, Backup (Local-LFA)
      Route metric is 6
      Label: 0x3 (3)
      Tunnel ID: None
      Binding Label: None
      Extended communities count: 0
      Path id:65              Path ref count:1
      NHID:0x2(Ref:1)
      OSPF area:
  Route version is 0x12 (18)
  Local Label: 0x3ee6 (16102)
  Local Label Algo Set (ID, Label, Metric): (1, 16202, 0),(128, 17282, 2)
  IP Precedence: Not Set
  QoS Group ID: Not Set
  Flow-tag: Not Set
  Fwd-class: Not Set
  Route Priority: RIB_PRIORITY_NON_RECURSIVE_MEDIUM (7) SVD Type RIB_SVD_TYPE_LOCAL
  Download Priority 1, Download Version 38
  No advertising protos.

This feature allows the Flexible Algorithm definition to specify Shared Risk Link Groups (SRLGs) that the operator wants to exclude during the Flex-Algorithm path computation. A set of links that share a resource whose failure can affect all links in the set constitute a SRLG. An SRLG provides an indication of which links in the network might be at risk from the same failure.

This allows the setup of disjoint paths between two or more Flex Algos by leveraging deployed SRLG configurations. For example, multiple Flex Algos could be defined by excluding all SRLGs except one. Each FA will prune the links belonging to the excluded SRLGs from its topology on which it computes its paths.

This provides a new alternative to creating disjoint paths with FA, in addition to leveraging FA with link admin group (affinity) constraints.

The Flexible Algorithm definition (FAD) can advertise SRLGs that you want to exclude during the Flexible Algorithm path computation. The IS-IS Flexible Algorithm Exclude SRLG Sub-TLV (FAESRLG) is used to advertise the exclude rule that is used during the Flexible Algorithm path calculation, as specified in IETF draft https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/draft-ietf-lsr-flex-algo/

The Flexible Algorithm path computation checks if an “exclude SRLG” rule is part of the FAD. If an “exclude SRLG” rule exists, it then checks if the link is part of an SRLG that is also part of the “exclude SRLG” rule. If the link is part of an excluded SRLG, the link is pruned from the path computation.

The figure below shows a topology configured with the following flex algos:

• Flex algo 128: metric IGP and exclude SRLG X constraint

• Flex algo 129: metric IGP and exclude SRLG Y constraint

The horizontal links between nodes 3 and 4 and between 2 and 5 are part of SRLG group X. The diagonal links between nodes 3 and 5 and between 2 and 4 are part of SRLG group Y. As a result, traffic from node 1 to node 6's FA 128 prefix SID (16806) avoids interfaces part of SRLG X. While traffic from node 1 to node 6's FA 129 prefix SID (16906) avoids interfaces part of SRLG Y.

Note	See Constraints section in the Configure SR-TE Policies chapter for information about configuring SR policies with Flex-Algo constraints.

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config)# srlg
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg)# interface HunGigE0/0/0/0
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# name groupX
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# exit
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg)# interface TenGigE0/0/0/1
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# name groupX
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# exit

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg)# interface HunGigE0/0/1/0
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# name groupY
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# exit
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg)# interface TenGigE0/0/1/1
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# name groupY
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# exit

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg)# name groupX value 100
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg)# name groupY value 200
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg)# exit

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config)# router isis 1
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-isis)# address-family ipv4 unicast
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-isis-af)# advertise application flex-algo link-attributes srlg
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-isis-af)# exit
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-isis)# flex-algo 128
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-isis-flex-algo)# advertise-definition
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-isis-flex-algo)# srlg exclude-any groupX
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-isis-flex-algo)# exit
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-isis)# flex-algo 129
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-isis-flex-algo)# advertise-definition
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-isis-flex-algo)# srlg exclude-any groupY
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-isis-flex-algo)# commit
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-isis-flex-algo)# exit
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-isis)# 

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config)# srlg
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg)# interface HunGigE0/0/0/0
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# name groupX
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# exit
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg)# interface TenGigE0/0/0/1
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# name groupX
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# exit

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg)# interface HunGigE0/0/1/0
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# name groupY
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# exit
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg)# interface TenGigE0/0/1/1
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# name groupY
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg-if)# exit

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg)# name groupX value 100
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg)# name groupY value 200
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(config-srlg)# exit

RP/0/0/CPU0:r1(config)#router ospf 1
RP/0/0/CPU0:r1(config-ospf)#flex-algo 128
RP/0/0/CPU0:r1(config-ospf-flex-algo)#srlg exclude-any 
RP/0/0/CPU0:r(config-ospf-flex-algo-srlg-exclude-any)#groupX
RP/0/0/CPU0:r(config-ospf-flex-algo-srlg-exclude-any)#groupY
RP/0/0/CPU0:r(config-ospf-flex-algo-srlg-exclude-any)#commit

 
RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router# show ospf topology summary         
 Process ospf-1
 Instance default
  Router ID       : 192.168.0.1
  Number of Areas : 1
  Number of Algos : 1
  Max Path count  : 16
  Route count     : 10
  SR Global Block : 16000 - 23999
   
Area 0
    Number of Nodes : 6
     Algo 128
      FAD Advertising Router : 192.168.0.1
      FAD Area ID : 0
       Algo Type   : 0
       Metric Type : 0
          Number of Exlclude SRLGs  : (2) 
          [1]:  100        [2]:  200
       FAPM supported : No
 
 

This feature allows you to configure a minimum bandwidth value for computing a Flexible Algorithm path.

The IS-IS Flex-Algorithm Exclude Minimum Bandwidth sub-TLV (FAEMB) is a way to set a minimum bandwidth requirement for links in the Flex-Algorithm topology.

To determine if a link should be excluded based on this minimum bandwidth requirement, we compare the Minimum Bandwidth specified in the FAEMB sub-TLV with the Maximum Link Bandwidth advertised in the Area Supported by the Link Attribute (ASLA) sub-TLV.

If the Maximum Link Bandwidth is lower than the Minimum bandwidth specified, the link is excluded from the Flex-Algorithm topology. However, if the FAD includes the FAEMB sub-TLV but the Maximum Link Bandwidth is not advertised for the link, it should not be excluded based on the Minimum Bandwidth constraint.

Use the router isis instance flex-algo algo minimum-bandwidth value command to configure the minimum bandwidth value in kbps.

router isis 1
 address-family ipv4 unicast
  segment-routing mpls
 !
 address-family ipv6 unicast
  segment-routing srv6
   locator L1_A129
   !
  !
 !
 flex-algo 129
  advertise-definition
  minimum-bandwidth 10000000
 !
 interface Loopback0
  address-family ipv4 unicast
   prefix-sid index 100
   prefix-sid algorithm 129 index 300
  !
  address-family ipv6 unicast
 !
!
segment-routing
 srv6
  locators
   locator L1_A129
    micro-segment behavior unode psp-usd
    prefix cafe:0:2100::/48
    algorithm 129
   !
  !
 !
!

This feature allows you to configure a maximum delay value for computing a Flexible Algorithm path.

The Flexible Algorithm Exclude Minimum Delay (FAEMD) sub-TLV is used to specify the maximum delay requirement for links in a Flex-Algorithm topology. To ensure proper functioning, the FAEMD sub-TLV must appear only once in the FAD sub-TLV (Flexible Algorithm Definition). If it appears more than once, it should be ignored by the receiver. The maximum link delay advertised in the FAEMD sub-TLV is compared with the minimum unidirectional link delay advertised in the ASLA sub-TLV.

If the minimum unidirectional link delay is higher than the maximum link delay advertised in the FAEMD sub-TLV, the link must be excluded from the Flex-Algorithm topology.

However, if a link does not have the minimum unidirectional link delay advertised but the FAD contains the FAEMD sub-TLV, then based on the maximum delay constraint, that link should not be excluded from the topology.

Use the router isis instance flex-algo algo maximum-delay delay command to configure the maximum delay value in microseconds.

router isis 1
 address-family ipv4 unicast
  segment-routing mpls
 !
 address-family ipv6 unicast
  segment-routing srv6
   locator L1_A128
   !
  !
 !
 flex-algo 128
  advertise-definition
  maximum-delay 300
 !
 interface Loopback0
  address-family ipv4 unicast
   prefix-sid index 100
   prefix-sid algorithm 128 index 200
  !
  address-family ipv6 unicast
 !
!
segment-routing
 srv6
  locators
   locator L1_A128
    micro-segment behavior unode psp-usd
    prefix cafe:0:1100::/48
    algorithm 128
   !
  !
 !
!

Previously, you could set the maximum paths for a Flexible Algorithm per address-family.

With this feature, you can further refine the maximum paths configuration by associating it with specific prefixes for each Flexible Algorithm. The existing maximum-paths command is extended to include a route-policy qualifier to configure the maximum paths per algorithm per prefix-list.

When installing paths into the Routing Information Base (RIB) for Segment Routing with IPv6 (SRv6) or the Label Switched Database (LSD) for Segment Routing with MPLS (SR-MPLS), the system checks if a maximum paths value has been configured for the algorithm and the associated prefix. If such a configuration exists, it will be used instead of the existing address-family value to determine the number of paths to be installed.

Note	Route policies that have the attribute set maximum-paths number are supported.

Note	For information on maximum paths per prefix for IS-IS algo 0 (SPF), refer to the "Implementing IS-IS" chapter in the Routing Configuration Guide for Cisco 8000 Series Routers.

Router# show isis route flex-algo 128
 
IS-IS 10 IPv4 Unicast routes Flex-Algo 128
 
Codes: L1 - level 1, L2 - level 2, ia - interarea (leaked into level 1)
       df - level 1 default (closest attached router), su - summary null
       C - connected, S - static, R - RIP, B - BGP, O - OSPF
       E - EIGRP, A - access/subscriber, M - mobile, a - application
       i - IS-IS (redistributed from another instance)
 
Maximum parallel path count: as defined in isis-mp-if-L1
 
L1 10.1.0.101/32 [121/115]
     via 15.15.15.2, GigabitEthernet0/0/0/5, hare, SRGB Base: 16000, Weight: 0
     via 16.16.16.2, GigabitEthernet0/0/0/6, hare, SRGB Base: 16000, Weight: 0