A method and system for managing the routing of traffic within a network
develops a topological address space map of the network to enable a "best
route" selection process. The network is comprised of a backbone
connected to a plurality of peering partners. Points on the network
monitor traffic flows. A central facility analyzes the traffic flows and
routes within the network and performs intelligent routing
management.Intelligent routing management ensures that traffic is
properly routed through preferred routes on the network, and avoids
inefficient routing. Intelligent routing management also selects new
routes to be injected into the network in order to further improve the
accuracy of the address space map of the network. Intelligent routing
management ensures that bandwidth is requested and delivered
topologically closely to peering partner networks, and that traffic is
carried by the backbone for long haul data distribution in both
directions.