Dear All,

 


Thank you very much for the constructive feedback. 


We apologize for the delayed response. We took some time to carefully rethink 
our proposal and align it with the existing architecture.


 


After revisiting the Flex-Algo architecture (RFC 9350) and related work (RFC 
9843), we realized that the core question is not only about whether 
normalization is useful,but also about where the normalization logic should be 
defined and applied. We tried to reason from the layered design of Flex-Algo:


 


- Link Layer: Links advertise only their intrinsic, raw properties (IGP metric, 
delay, loss, bandwidth). They should not be aware of, or responsible for, any 
per-FA normalization logic.


 


- FAD Layer: The FAD defines the calculation rules for a given FA — which 
Metric-Type to use, what constraints to apply, and how paths should be computed.


 


We view metric normalization parameters (metric-step and metric-offset) as 
calculation policy at the FA level, not as link configuration. Different FAs 
may have different optimization goals and thus different normalization needs.


 


We have also revisited RFC 9843, which extends Flex-Algo to support 
bandwidth-based metric calculation. We see this as a helpful precedent: 
parameters like Reference Bandwidth are carried in the FAD to define how 
metrics are calculated. Our proposal follows the same pattern, extending this 
capability to other metric types such as delay and loss.


 


Based on this reasoning, we have submitted an updated version (-01) of the 
draft. We fully understand that the WG may still have reservations about this 
approach, and we are genuinely open to further guidance. If the WG feels it 
would be helpful, we would respectfully request an opportunity to present this 
updated version at the upcoming IETF meeting.


 


Thank you again for your time and feedback and We look forward to your thoughts.





Best Regards,


Liyan(on behalf of the co-authors)







----邮件原文----发件人:Acee Lindem  <[email protected]>收件人:Peter Psenak  
<[email protected]>抄 送: Liyan Gong  <[email protected]>,Gyan Mishra  
<[email protected]>,lsr  <[email protected]>发送时间:2025-11-08 23:27:59主题:Re: [Lsr] 
draft-gl-lsr-metric-normalize/Speaking as WG member: I agree with Peter and 
have a couple additional concerns.  1. If metric normalization is to be 
performed in the IGP domain, the LSA/LSP originator should      do it rather 
than having everyone else in the domain do it for the originator39s metrics.  
2. The stated goal is to compute  more ECMP paths. Did you consider that some 
vendors      have implemented UCMP (Unequal Cost MultiPath)?Thanks,Acee> On Nov 
6, 2025, at 8:16AM, Peter Psenak  wrote:> > Liyan,> On 06/11/2025 10:40, Liyan 
Gong wrote:>> Hi All,>> hank you for your valuable comments. >> To ensure we 
are fully aligned, we would like to further clarify the considerations behind 
our proposal. >> Please feel free to correct us if we have misunderstood any 
aspect of your suggestion.>> In designing our approach, we focused on 
addressing two key aspects:>> 1.  **Parameter Consistency**: Parameters such as 
metric-step and metric-offset need to be consistent across the network. We 
observed that any inconsistency in static configuration could lead to incorrect 
normalized metrics, which might in turn affect path selection.> there is no 
need for consistency of these parameters across the network. > If the 
configuration consistency is the problem you trying to address, there are 
existing tools for that.>> 2.  **Parameter Optimization**: In dynamic network 
environments, these parameters may need to be tuned. We think that relying 
solely on manual reconfiguration in such cases could not only be operationally 
costly and prone to errors, but also slow down routing convergence, potentially 
extending periods of network instability.> similarly, FAD is not a 
configuration tool, there are existing tools for that. > thanks,> Peter> >> 
These considerations motivated our proposal, which draws inspiration from the 
established concept of automatic metric calculation — an approach that 
addresses similar needs. We believe a protocol-based extension could be a 
suitable way to resolve these issues while staying consistent with existing 
mechanisms.>> We welcome further discussion.>> >> Best Regards,>> Liyan>> >> 
-----邮件原件----->> 发件人: Acee Lindem >> 发送时间: 2025年11月6日 3:06>> 收件人: Gyan Mishra 
>> 抄送: Peter Psenak  [email protected]>> 主题: [Lsr] Re: 
draft-gl-lsr-metric-normalize/>> >> Speaking as WG Member:>> >> Speaking as WG 
member, I agree with Peter as well.>> >> The additional alternative to local 
metric normalization is to do UCMP (Unequal Cost Mulltipath) route installation 
which is also a local behavior.>> Here is one example:>> >> 
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/iosxr/ncs5500/routing/79x/b-routing-cg-ncs5500-79x/implementing-ucmp.html>>
 >> You do have assure you don39t create loops (e.g., do a feasible successor 
check as EIGRP does).>> >> >> Thanks,>> Acee>> >>> On Nov 4, 2025, at 11:46PM, 
Gyan Mishra  wrote:>>> >>> >>> I agree with Peter that this draft is 
unnecessary.>>> >>> Delay metric normalization is common feature implemented by 
most all SR vendors to circumvent sub optimal undesired routing where ECMP 
exists or TI-LFA backup path is programmed.  A single uS differential in ECMP 
links can break ECMP as well as TI-LFA.>>> >>> This is all local implementation 
specific and does not require any standardization.>>> >>> >>> Thanks>>> >>> 
Gyan>>> >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Nov 4, 2025 at 10:49AM Peter Psenak  wrote:>>> 
Hi,>>> here are my comments on the draft:>>> 1. Normalization of the measured 
latency, or any other PM related value, is a local behavior on the router. It 
should really be viewed as a part of the measurement procedure. The measured 
value is normalized before it is advertised.>>> 2. It is not functionally 
required for normalization to be used, nor for its logic/parameters to be 
synchronized across all routers in the network.>>> 3. Felx-algo definition 
(FAD) is not meant to be used as a  management mechanism for distribution of 
the configuration parameters. There are exiting provisioning tools available 
for that.>>> To summarize, I find the proposals in the draft to be both 
unnecessary as well as undesirable.>>> thanks,>>> Peter>>> >>> 
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