FortifyNet: An Automated Tool for Fortifying Communication Networks Against Multiple Link Failures

Objective

Communication networks are a cornerstone of our digital society. Since link failures in large-scale networks are inevitable, modern infrastructures rely on fast re-routing mechanisms that redirect traffic to backup paths when disruptions occur. Current solutions, however, are designed to withstand only a single link failure. Recent research by the PI and his team has demonstrated, at a conceptual level, how to enhance the resilience of communication networks against multiple simultaneous link failures in an efficient and automated way, simply by “fortifying” existing routing configurations. The objective of this project is to move from research to innovation by developing a demonstrator and tool for Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) and Segment Routing (SR) networks, both of which are widely deployed. This tool is designed for operators of mission-critical networks carrying high-value traffic, where service-level breaches are unacceptable—a large and steadily growing market. The solution will rely on vendor-agnostic orchestration and will enable unified configuration parsing and generation across diverse hardware platforms (Cisco, Juniper, etc.). With this project, we aim to prove the practical feasibility and scalability of our approach, thereby laying the foundation for further funding and the establishment of a startup company. The PI has already gained experience in several startups, including as co-founder, and maintains strong industry contacts. Within this Proof-of-Concept project, we will also conduct a case study with an Internet Service Provider, providing a concrete demonstration of the technology and supporting its dissemination.