Routing methods, systems, and computer program products for mapping identifiers

• US 10,397,101 B1
• Filed: 11/19/2018
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MORRIS ROUTING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sitting Man LLC
• Inventors: Morris, Robert Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Jimmy H
• Application Number:
  US16/195,832
• Time in Patent Office: 281 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/02 Topology update or discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/22 Alternate routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/50 using label swapping, e.g. multi-protocol label switch [MPLS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/74 Address processing for routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/00 Packet switching elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/25 Routing or path finding in a switch fabric
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/38 adapting due to varying relative distances between nodes

Abstract

In various embodiments, an apparatus, a non-transitory computer-readable media, and a computer-implemented method are provided, where at least one of which involves: a current node configured to be positioned in a network path along which data is capable of being transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in a network, the current node configured to: receive, from a previous node in the network path along which the data is capable of being transmitted from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network, network path information that is in a header of a packet that is specified according to at least one aspect of a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network protocol, the network path information in the header of the packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the data along the network path from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network, where the network path information in the header of the packet is received based on an identifier in an identifier space that spans within the previous node, and the identifier in the identifier space that spans within the previous node identifies a particular network interface, a particular node, or a particular region, where the identifier includes a sequence of identifiers, and a last identifier of the sequence, that is preceded by any other one or more identifiers in the sequence, is configured for use in identifying a scope-specific identifier that is in an identifier space specific to another node and that identifies, for the another node: the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a current node configured to be positioned in a network path along which data is capable of being transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in a network, cause the current node to:

receive, from a previous node in the network path along which the data is capable of being transmitted from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network, network path information that is in a header of a packet that is specified according to at least one aspect of a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network protocol, the network path information in the header of the packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the data along the network path from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network, where the network path information in the header of the packet is received based on an identifier in an identifier space that spans within the previous node, and the identifier identifies a particular network interface, a particular node, or a particular region, where the identifier includes a sequence of identifiers, and a last identifier of the sequence, that is preceded by any other one or more identifiers in the sequence, is configured for use in identifying a scope-specific identifier that is in an identifier space specific to another node and that identifies, for the another node;

the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region;

perform an operation using the network information to identify, as a current identifier, another identifier in another identifier space that spans within the current node, where the another identifier identifies the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region; and

transmit, based on the another identifier in the another identifier space that is identified as the current identifier, the data from the current node along the network path.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the identifier and the another identifier, identify the particular network interface.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the identifier and the another identifier, identify the particular node.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the identifier and the another identifier, identify the particular region.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the identifier and the another identifier, identify the same one of the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region, for different nodes.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the identifier includes a scope specific identifier and the another identifier includes another scope specific identifier.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that at least one of the identifier or the another identifier, includes a region scoped identifier.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the region scoped identifier globally identifies the particular node which is included in a network path segment of the network path, where the network path segment includes the current node and the receiving node.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that at least one of the identifier or the another identifier, includes an outside scope identifier.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the outside scope identifier identifies the particular region that includes the particular node which is included in a network path segment of the network path, where the network path segment includes the current node and the receiving node.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that at least one of the identifier or the another identifier, includes a node scoped network interface identifier.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the node scoped network interface identifier identifies a network interface that is communicatively coupled between the transmitting node and the receiving node.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that at least one of the identifier or the another identifier, includes a node scope-specific identifier.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the identifier includes a node-scope specific identifier that is in a node-specific identifier space of the previous node and that identifies, for the previous node, the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region that resides in the network path.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the another identifier includes a node-scope specific identifier that is in a node-specific identifier space of the current node and that identifies, for the current node, the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region that resides in the network path.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that at least a portion of the identifier is not included in a header of another packet in which the data is included when the data is transmitted from the current node.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to control the performance of the operation using the network information to identify, as the current identifier, the another identifier.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the operation is performed regardless as to whether the identifier and the another identifier are identical or not.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the performance of the operation results in a modification of the current identifier without changing the network path.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that a first virtual identifier space for a first plurality of nodes is realized by configuring each node in the first plurality to have a respective identifier space that includes a particular identifier that identifies, for the each node in the first plurality, the particular node, where the particular identifier in the identifier space for the each node in the first plurality matches the particular identifier in the node specific identifier space for every other node in the first plurality.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 20, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the current node is included in the first plurality with the particular node and the particular identifier is identical to the another identifier;

and the first virtual identifier space includes the particular identifier that takes the form of a scoped identifier with a scope that spans within the first plurality, and that identifies the particular node within a span of the first virtual identifier space.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the identifier is advertised to the current node so that the current node has access to a meaning thereof.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that, as a result of the performance of the operation, the data is transmitted from the current node along the network path based on the another identifier instead of being based on the identifier.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that at least one of:

an identifier of each node-specific identifier space does not define a scope for the identifier;

each identifier space includes an address space;

each identifier includes an address;

each identifier of each identifier space does not define a scope thereof;

knowledge of only the identifier in the identifier space that spans within the previous node, is insufficient to know a scope of the identifier in the identifier space that spans within the previous node;

knowledge of only the another identifier in the another identifier space, is insufficient to know a scope of the another identifier in the another identifier space;

the scope-specific identifier is scope-specific by virtue of being specific to the another node;

the scope-specific identifier is scope-specific by virtue of being specific to a scope associated with the another node;

the scope-specific identifier is scope-specific by virtue of being specific to a scope associated with the identifier space specific to the another node;

the scope-specific identifier is scope-specific by virtue of being in the identifier space specific to the another node;

the identifier space that spans in the previous node spans only within the previous node;

the another identifier space that spans in the current node spans only within the current node;

the identifier identifies the particular network interface;

the identifier identifies the particular node;

the identifier identifies the particular region;

the identifier is part of the sequence of identifiers;

the identifier identifies the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region, by at least one of the sequence of identifiers identifying the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region;

the last identifier of the sequence is preceded by one or more identifiers;

the last identifier of the sequence is preceded by no identifiers;

the last identifier identifies, for the another node;

the particular network interface;

the last identifier identifies, for the another node;

the particular node;

the last identifier identifies, for the another node;

the particular region;

the network path information is for use by the current node, by using one or more identifiers included in the network path information;

the network path information is for use by the current node, by using the network path information to look up one or more identifiers not included in the network path information;

the network path information is for use by the current node, by using the network path information to look up one or more identifiers not included in the header;

the another identifier includes an identifier in the sequence;

the identifier, the scope-specific identifier, and the another identifier, identify the same one of the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region;

the identifier, the scope-specific identifier, and the another identifier, identify different ones of the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region;

different identifiers of the sequence span in different nodes;

different identifiers of the sequence are in different spaces that span in different nodes;

the identifier is not in the identifier space specific to the another node;

the last identifier is not in the identifier space specific to the previous node;

the identifier is not specific to the another node;

the last identifier is not specific to the previous node;

only a portion of the identifier is in the identifier space that spans in the previous node;

the identifier is in the identifier space that spans in the previous node, by a portion of the identifier being in the identifier space that spans in the previous node;

the identifier is in the identifier space that spans in the previous node, by only a portion of the identifier being in the identifier space that spans in the previous node;

the identifier is in the identifier space that spans in the previous node, by an entirety of the identifier being in the identifier space that spans in the previous node;

different identifiers of the sequence span are of different types;

different identifiers of the sequence span are of the same type;

the identifier identifies the particular network interface;

the identifier identifies the particular node;

the identifier identifies the particular region;

the identifier is part of the sequence of identifiers;

the identifier identifies the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region, by at least one of the sequence of identifiers identifying the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region;

the last identifier is configured for use in identifying the scope-specific identifier, by including the scope-specific identifier;

the last identifier is configured for use in identifying the scope-specific identifier, by being the scope-specific identifier;

the last identifier is configured for use in identifying the scope-specific identifier, by being capable of being used to look up the scope-specific identifier;

the last identifier is configured for use in identifying the scope-specific identifier, via a swap operation;

the last identifier of the sequence is preceded by one or more identifiers;

the last identifier of the sequence is preceded by no identifiers;

the last identifier identifies, for the another node;

the particular network interface;

the last identifier identifies, for the another node;

the particular node;

the last identifier identifies, for the another node;

the particular region;

the network path information is for use by the current node, by using one or more identifiers included in the network path information;

the network path information is for use by the current node, by using the network path information to look up one or more identifiers not included in the network path information;

the network path information is for use by the current node, by using the network path information to look up one or more identifiers not included in the header;

the operation is performed utilizing a mapping;

the operation is performed as a result of a mapping;

the operation includes a mapping;

the another identifier in the another identifier space is identified as the current identifier, utilizing a mapping;

the another identifier in the another identifier space is identified as the current identifier, as a result of a mapping;

the current identifier includes an identifier that is ready for use next;

the current identifier includes an identifier that is active for use;

the operation is performed using the network information, by being performed on the network information;

the operation is performed using the network information, by being performed on one or more identifiers of the network information;

the operation is performed using the network information, by performing instructions associated with the network information;

the identifier in the identifier space that spans within the previous node only identifies the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region;

the another identifier in the another identifier space only identifies the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region;

the identifier in the identifier space that spans within the previous node identifies the particular node by identifying a certain node inside the particular node;

the another identifier in the another identifier space identifies the particular node by identifying a certain node inside the particular node;

a loop-back internet address is associated with the another identifier in the another identifier space;

a loop-back internet address is associated with the another identifier in the another identifier space, by virtue of the loop-back internet address and the another identifier in the another identifier space, both being specific to a certain node;

the network path includes a physical network path;

the network path includes a virtual network path;

the data is transmitted from the current node in another packet that is a copy of the packet;

the data is transmitted from the current node in another packet that is at least partially similar to the packet;

the particular node is identified by the identifier in the identifier space that spans within the previous node, and is the same as the particular node identified by the another identifier in the another identifier space;

the network path information in the header of the packet is for use by the current node in transmitting the data along only a portion of the network path from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network;

the network path information in the header of the packet is for use by the current node in transmitting the data along an entirety of the network path from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network;

the current node is configured to not use a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) control plane protocol;

the at least one aspect of the Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) protocol includes a data plane of the MPLS protocol;

the phrases computer instructions, one or more processors, and current node all do not invoke 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph;

the computer instructions include at least one of;

code, firmware, hardware instructions, software instructions, or a combination thereof;

the another identifier in the another identifier space is identified as the current identifier, by a position of the identifier in the identifier space that spans within the previous node being replaced with the another identifier in the another identifier space;

the identifier and the another identifier are identifiable using the network path information included in the header of the packet;

at least one of the identifier or the another identifier is identifiable using the network path information included in the header, by at least one of the identifier or the another identifier being included in the header of the packet;

at least one of the identifier or the another identifier is identifiable using the network path information included in the header, by the network path information being used to identify at least one of the identifier or the another identifier that is located outside the header;

at least one of the identifier or the another identifier identifies the particular node, by identifying the particular node itself;

or

at least one of the identifier or the another identifier identifies the particular node, by identifying at least one aspect of the particular node as it relates to at least one other node.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that:

the network path is specified using a first number of identifiers that is fewer than a second number of identifiers required to specify the network path deterministically;

the data is capable of being transmitted by the current node along different ones of a plurality of path segments based on a policy and a current state of the network, where a first path segment of the plurality of path segments, via which the data is transmitted from the current node, is not selected when the packet is received and is therefore selected, in response to the receipt of the packet, based on the policy and the current state of the network, and without control signaling communications with another one or nodes after the receipt of the packet; and

the current state of the network is not maintained by the current node, nor the previous node, nor a next node, and nor the receiving node.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 29, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that:

contents of the header of the packet include everything necessary for routing the data.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 29, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that:

a current state of the network is not maintained by the current node, nor the previous node, nor a next node, and nor the receiving node.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 29, wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that:

a number or protocols used to transmit the data is reduced.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a current node configured to be positioned in a network path along which data is capable of being transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in a network, cause the current node to:

receive, from a previous node in the network path along which the data is capable of being transmitted from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network, network path information that is in a header of a packet that is specified according to at least one aspect of a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network protocol, the network path information in the header of the packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the data along the network path from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network, where the network path information in the header of the packet is received based on an identifier in an identifier space that spans within the previous node, and the identifier identifies a particular network interface, a particular node, or a particular region;

perform an operation using the network information to identify, as a current identifier, another identifier in another identifier space that spans within the current node, where the another identifier identifies the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region; and

transmit, based on the another identifier in the another identifier space that is identified as the current identifier, the data from the current node along the network path;

wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that;

a first virtual identifier space for a first plurality of nodes is realized by configuring each node in the first plurality to have a respective identifier space that includes a particular identifier that identifies, for the each node in the first plurality, the particular node,

the particular identifier in the identifier space for the each node in the first plurality matches the particular identifier in the identifier space for every other node in the first plurality,

the particular identifier is identical to the another identifier,

the first virtual identifier space includes the particular identifier that takes the form of a scoped identifier with a scope that spans within the first plurality, and that identifies the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region, within a span of the first virtual identifier space,

the current node is included in the first plurality and the particular identifier is identical to the another identifier,

the first virtual identifier space includes a scope specific identifier space that is specific to the first plurality, and

the particular identifier takes the form of a scope-specific identifier that identifies the particular node for the first plurality.

25. A system, comprising:

a current node; and

a previous node in communication with the current node;

the previous node configured to transmit a packet including data, and a header including network path information that is capable of being used to identify;

an identifier in an identifier space that spans within the previous node, where the identifier identifies a particular network interface, a particular node, or a particular region, for use in transmission of the packet from the previous node, where the identifier includes a sequence of identifiers, and a last identifier of the sequence, that is preceded by any other one or more identifiers in the sequence, is configured for use in identifying a scope-specific identifier that is in an identifier space specific to another node and that identifies, for the another node;

the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region, and

another identifier in another identifier space that spans within a current node, where the another identifier identifies the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region; and

the current node configured to;

receive the packet including the network information;

perform an operation using the network information to identify, as a current identifier, the another identifier in another identifier space that spans within the current node; and

transmit, using the another identifier that is identified as the current identifier, the data from the current node.

26. An apparatus, comprising:

receiver means for receiving, from a previous node in a network path along which data is capable of being transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in a network, network path information that is in a header of a packet that is specified according to at least one aspect of a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network protocol, the network path information in the header of the packet being for use by a current node in transmitting the data along the network path from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network, where the network path information in the header of the packet is received based on an identifier in an identifier space that spans within the previous node, and the identifier identifies a particular network interface, a particular node, or a particular region, where the identifier includes a sequence of identifiers, and a last identifier of the sequence, that is preceded by any other one or more identifiers in the sequence, is configured for use in identifying a scope-specific identifier that is in an identifier space specific to another node and that identifies, for the another node;

the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region;

processor means for performing an operation using the network information to identify, as a current identifier, another identifier in another identifier space that spans within the current node, where the another identifier identifies the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region; and

transmitter means for transmitting, based on the another identifier in the another identifier space that is identified as the current identifier, the data from the current node along the network path.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, where the receiver means includes a receiver interface, the processor means includes at least one hardware processor, and the transmitter means includes a transmitter interface.

33. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

performing at least one act that is configured to cause a current node to;

receive, from a previous node in a network path along which data is capable of being transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in a network, network path information that is in a header of a packet that is specified according to at least one aspect of a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network protocol, the network path information in the header of the packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the data along the network path from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network, where the network path information in the header of the packet is received based on an identifier in an identifier space that spans in the previous node, and the identifier identifies a particular network interface, a particular node, or a particular region, where the identifier includes a sequence of identifiers, and a last identifier of the sequence, that is preceded by any other one or more identifiers in the sequence, is configured for use in identifying a scope-specific identifier that is in an identifier space specific to another node and that identifies, for the another node;

the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region,

perform an operation using the network information to identify, as a current identifier, another identifier in another identifier space that spans in the current node, where the another identifier identifies the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region, and

transmit, based on the another identifier in the another identifier space that is identified as the current identifier, the data from the current node along the network path; and

causing storage of a result of the at least one act on at least one non-transitory memory.

34. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the identifier and the another identifier, identify the particular network interface.

35. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the identifier and the another identifier, identify the particular node.

36. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the identifier and the another identifier, identify the particular region.

37. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the identifier and the another identifier, identify the same one of the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region, for different nodes.

38. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the identifier includes a scope specific identifier and the another identifier includes another scope specific identifier.

39. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that at least one of the identifier or the another identifier, includes a region scoped identifier.

40. The method of claim 39, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the region scoped identifier globally identifies the particular node which is included in a network path segment of the network path, where the network path segment includes the current node and the receiving node.

41. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that at least one of the identifier or the another identifier, includes an outside scope identifier.

42. The method of claim 41, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the outside scope identifier identifies the particular region that includes the particular node which is included in a network path segment of the network path, where the network path segment includes the current node and the receiving node.

43. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that at least one of the identifier or the another identifier, includes a node scoped network interface identifier.

44. The method of claim 43, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the node scoped network interface identifier identifies the particular network interface that is communicatively coupled between the transmitting node and the receiving node.

45. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that at least one of the identifier or the another identifier, includes a node scope-specific identifier.

46. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the identifier includes a node-scope specific identifier that is in a node-specific identifier space of the previous node and that identifies, for the previous node, the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region, that resides in the network path.

47. The method of claim 46, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the another identifier includes a node-scope specific identifier that is in a node-specific identifier space of the current node and that identifies, for the current node, the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region, that resides in the network path.

48. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that at least a portion of the identifier is not included in a header of another packet in which the data is included when the data is transmitted from the current node.

49. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to control the performance of the operation using the network information to identify, as the current identifier, the another identifier.

50. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the operation is performed regardless as to whether the identifier and the another identifier are identical or not.

51. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the performance of the operation results in a modification of the current identifier without changing the network path.

52. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that a first virtual identifier space for a first plurality of nodes is realized by configuring each node in the first plurality to have a respective identifier space that includes a particular identifier that identifies, for the each node in the first plurality, the particular node, where the particular identifier in the identifier space for the each node in the first plurality matches the particular identifier in the node specific identifier space for every other node in the first plurality.

53. The method of claim 52, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the current node is included in the first plurality with the particular node and the particular identifier is identical to the another identifier; and

the first virtual identifier space includes the particular identifier that takes the form of a scoped identifier with a scope that spans within the first plurality, and that identifies the particular node within a span of the first virtual identifier space.

54. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the identifier is advertised to the current node so that the current node has access to a meaning thereof.

55. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that, as a result of the performance of the operation, the data is transmitted from the current node along the network path based on the another identifier instead of being based on the identifier.

56. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the network path information is predetermined by a topology service.

57. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

network path information is predetermined by the transmitting node.

58. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the network path is specified using a first number of identifiers that is fewer than a second number of identifiers required to specify the network path deterministically.

59. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

a first path segment, via which the data is transmitted from the current node, is not known when the packet is received and therefore determined in response to the receipt of the packet.

60. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

a network path segment, via which the data is transmitted from the current node, is selected without network-based control signaling after the receipt of the packet.

61. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

contents of the header of the packet include everything necessary for routing the data.

62. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

a current state of the network is not maintained by the current node, nor the previous node, nor a next node, and nor the receiving node.

63. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

a number or protocols used to transmit the data is reduced.

64. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the data is capable of being transmitted by the current node along different ones of a plurality of path segments.

65. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the data is capable of being transmitted by the current node along different ones of a plurality of path segments based on a policy and a current state of the network.

66. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the network path is specified using a first number of identifiers that is fewer than a second number of identifiers required to specify the network path deterministically; and

the data is capable of being transmitted by the current node along different ones of a plurality of path segments based on a policy and a current state of the network, where a first path segment of the plurality of path segments, via which the data is transmitted from the current node, is not selected when the packet is received and is therefore selected, in response to the receipt of the packet, based on the policy and the current state of the network, and without network-based control signaling communications with another one or nodes after the receipt of the packet.

67. The method of claim 66, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

contents of the header of the packet include everything necessary for routing the data.

68. The method of claim 66, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

a current state of the network is not maintained by the current node, nor the previous node, nor a next node, and nor the receiving node.

69. The method of claim 66, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

a number or protocols used to transmit the data is reduced in connection with the transmission of the data along the network path from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network.

70. The method of claim 66, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the network path information is predetermined by a topology service.

71. The method of claim 66, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

network path information is predetermined by the transmitting node.

72. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the another identifier in the another identifier space is identified as the current identifier, by a position of the identifier being replaced with the another identifier.

73. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the last identifier identifies the particular network interface.

74. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the last identifier identifies the particular node.

75. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the last identifier identifies the particular region.

76. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the another identifier is identified as the current identifier, by a position of the identifier being replaced with the another identifier.

77. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the identifier, the scope-specific identifier, and the another identifier, identify the particular network interface.

78. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the identifier, the scope-specific identifier, and the another identifier, identify the particular node.

79. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the identifier, the scope-specific identifier, and the another identifier, identify the particular region.

80. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the identifier space that spans in the previous node spans only within the previous node; and

the another identifier space that spans in the current node spans only within the current node.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein at least one of:

an identifier of each node-specific identifier space does not define a scope for the identifier;

each identifier space includes an address space;

each identifier includes an address;

each identifier of each identifier space does not define a scope thereof;

knowledge of only the identifier in the identifier space that spans in the previous node, is insufficient to know a scope of the identifier in the identifier space that spans in the previous node;

knowledge of only the another identifier in the another identifier space, is insufficient to know a scope of the another identifier in the another identifier space;

the scope-specific identifier is scope-specific by virtue of being specific to the another node;

the scope-specific identifier is scope-specific by virtue of being specific to a scope associated with the another node;

the scope-specific identifier is scope-specific by virtue of being specific to a scope associated with the identifier space specific to the another node;

the scope-specific identifier is scope-specific by virtue of being in the identifier space specific to the another node;

the identifier space that spans in the previous node spans only within the previous node;

the another identifier space that spans in the current node spans only within the current node;

the identifier identifies the particular network interface;

the identifier identifies the particular node;

the identifier identifies the particular region;

the identifier is part of the sequence of identifiers;

the identifier identifies the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region, by at least one of the sequence of identifiers identifying the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region;

the last identifier of the sequence is preceded by one or more identifiers;

the last identifier of the sequence is preceded by no identifiers;

the last identifier identifies, for the another node;

the particular network interface;

the last identifier identifies, for the another node;

the particular node;

the last identifier identifies, for the another node;

the particular region;

the network path information is for use by the current node, by using one or more identifiers included in the network path information;

the network path information is for use by the current node, by using the network path information to look up one or more identifiers not included in the network path information;

the network path information is for use by the current node, by using the network path information to look up one or more identifiers not included in the header;

the another identifier includes an identifier in the sequence;

the identifier, the scope-specific identifier, and the another identifier, identify the same one of the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region;

the identifier, the scope-specific identifier, and the another identifier, identify different ones of the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region;

different identifiers of the sequence span in different nodes;

different identifiers of the sequence are in different spaces that span in different nodes;

the identifier is not in the identifier space specific to the another node;

the last identifier is not in the identifier space specific to the previous node;

the identifier is not specific to the another node;

the last identifier is not specific to the previous node;

only a portion of the identifier is in the identifier space that spans in the previous node;

the identifier is in the identifier space that spans in the previous node, by a portion of the identifier being in the identifier space that spans in the previous node;

the identifier is in the identifier space that spans in the previous node, by only a portion of the identifier being in the identifier space that spans in the previous node;

the identifier is in the identifier space that spans in the previous node, by an entirety of the identifier being in the identifier space that spans in the previous node;

different identifiers of the sequence span are of different types;

different identifiers of the sequence span are of the same type;

the operation is performed utilizing a mapping;

the operation is performed as a result of a mapping;

the operation includes a mapping;

the another identifier in the another identifier space is identified as the current identifier, utilizing a mapping;

the another identifier in the another identifier space is identified as the current identifier, as a result of a mapping;

the current identifier includes an identifier that is ready for use next;

the current identifier includes an identifier that is active for use;

the operation is performed using the network information, by being performed on the network information;

the operation is performed using the network information, by being performed on one or more identifiers of the network information;

the operation is performed using the network information, by performing instructions associated with the network information;

the identifier in the identifier space that spans in the previous node only identifies the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region;

the another identifier in the another identifier space only identifies the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region;

the identifier in the identifier space that spans in the previous node identifies the particular node by identifying a certain node inside the particular node;

the another identifier in the another identifier space identifies the particular node by identifying a certain node inside the particular node;

a loop-back internet address is associated with the another identifier in the another identifier space;

a loop-back internet address is associated with the another identifier in the another identifier space, by virtue of the loop-back internet address and the another identifier in the another identifier space, both being specific to a certain node;

the network path includes a physical network path;

the network path includes a virtual network path;

the data is transmitted from the current node in another packet that is a copy of the packet;

the data is transmitted from the current node in another packet that is at least partially similar to the packet;

the particular node is identified by the identifier in the identifier space that spans in the previous node, and is the same as the particular node identified by the another identifier in the another identifier space;

the network path information in the header of the packet is for use by the current node in transmitting the data along only a portion of the network path from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network;

the network path information in the header of the packet is for use by the current node in transmitting the data along an entirety of the network path from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network;

the current node is configured to not use a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) control plane protocol;

the at least one aspect of the Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) protocol includes a data plane of the MPLS protocol;

the another identifier in the another identifier space is identified as the current identifier, by a position of the identifier in the identifier space that spans in the previous node being replaced with the another identifier in the another identifier space;

the identifier and the another identifier are identifiable using the network path information included in the header of the packet;

at least one of the identifier or the another identifier is identifiable using the network path information included in the header, by at least one of the identifier or the another identifier being included in the header of the packet;

at least one of the identifier or the another identifier is identifiable using the network path information included in the header, by the network path information being used to identify at least one of the identifier or the another identifier that is located outside the header;

at least one of the identifier or the another identifier identifies the particular node, by identifying the particular node itself;

at least one of the identifier or the another identifier identifies the particular node, by identifying at least one aspect of the particular node as it relates to at least one other node;

the at least one act is performed at the current node;

the at least one act is performed at a certain node other than the current node;

the at least one act and the at least one additional act are performed at the current node;

the at least one act and the at least one additional act are performed at a certain node other than the current node;

the at least one act and the at least one additional act are performed at a certain node other than the current node;

the at least one act and the at least one additional act are performed at a certain node other than the current node;

at least one of the at least one act or the at least one additional act includes a configuration;

at least one of the at least one act or the at least one additional act includes a configuration of instructions;

the at least one act causes the current node to perform the receipt, the performance, and the transmission;

the at least one act causes the current node to perform at least one of the receipt, the performance, or the transmission;

the at least one act causes at least one operation to be performed other than the receipt, the performance, and the transmission;

the causing storage includes causing storage of at least portion of instructions on the at least one non-transitory memory for being accessible to a user so that the user is capable of installing the at least portion of the instructions on other memory of the current node, for execution;

the causing storage includes causing storage of at least portion of instructions on the at least one non-transitory memory, that is part of the current node;

the causing storage includes causing storage of at least portion of instructions on the at least one non-transitory memory, that is part of the current node, so that the current node is provided to a user for use;

the causing storage includes installation;

the causing storage includes causing transfer of at least portion of instructions from persistent storage to volatile memory;

the at least one non-transitory memory includes a register;

the at least one non-transitory memory includes volatile memory;

the at least one non-transitory memory includes persistent storage;

the phrases at least one act and current node do not invoke 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph;

the method further comprises configuring the current node;

the method further comprises coupling the at least one non-transitory memory to one or more processors;

the method further comprises providing the current node;

the method further comprises providing the at least one non-transitory memory;

the method further comprises providing one or more processors;

the at least one non-transitory memory is part of the current node;

or

the at least one non-transitory memory is separate from current node memory of the current node.

82. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the another identifier includes an identifier in the sequence that resides between the identifier and the last identifier.

83. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the another identifier includes an identifier that results from a mapping of a first identifier in the sequence from the identifier space that spans within the previous node to the another identifier space that spans within the current node.

84. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the identifier, the scope-specific identifier, and the another identifier, identify the same one of the particular network interface, the particular node, or the particular region, for different nodes.

85. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the identifier includes a scope specific identifier and the another identifier includes another scope specific identifier, such that the identifier and the another identifier identify the same thing using a same value.

86. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that;

the identifier includes a scope specific identifier and the another identifier includes another scope specific identifier, such that the identifier and the another identifier identify the same thing using different values.

87. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that, for a region scoped identifier space that spans a region that includes a plurality nodes including at least one of the previous node or the another node, at least one of the identifier or the another identifier, includes a region scoped identifier in the region scope identifier space.

88. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that, for a region scoped identifier space that spans a region that includes a plurality nodes including at least one of the previous node or the another node, both the identifier and the another identifier, include a region scoped identifier in the region scope identifier space.

89. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the performance of the operation results in a modification of the identifier in the identifier space that spans within the previous node.

90. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node to operate such that the performance of the operation results in a modification of the network path information in the header of the packet.