Internet protocol routing methods, systems, and computer program products

• US 10,419,334 B1
• Filed: 10/05/2018
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• 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:
  US16/153,146
• Time in Patent Office: 347 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• 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 45/741 Routing in networks with a plurality of addressing schemes, e.g. with both IPv4 and IPv6
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 Parsing or analysis of headers
• 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 method are provided, involving a capability to: based on a first outside-scope identifier included in a header of a first packet that is specified according to an Internet Protocol version 6 (-Pv6) network protocol and via a first network interface of the current node that is in a network path segment that includes a previous node and the current node, receive an indication of a receipt, from the previous node that is in a first region of the network, of the first packet, the first outside-scope identifier identifying, in the first region, a second region communicatively coupled to the previous node via the first network interface of the current node, where the header does not include a network interface identifier portion for the first outside-scope identifier for identifying the first network interface; identify, from the header of the first packet, a first operation identifier based on an association between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier; execute an instruction to perform a first operation identified by the first operation identifier; and identify, from the header of the first packet, a next identifier that is included after the first outside-scope identifier in a sequence of identifiers in the header where the identifiers in the sequence are from an address space of the IPv6 network protocol.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a current node positioned in a network along a network path including a transmitting node and a receiving node, cause the one or more processors to:

based on a first outside-scope identifier included in a header of a first packet that is specified according to an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) network protocol and via a first network interface of the current node that is in a network path segment that includes a previous node and the current node, receive an indication of a receipt, from the previous node that is in a first region of the network, of the first packet, the first outside-scope identifier identifying, in the first region, a second region communicatively coupled to the previous node via the first network interface of the current node, where the header does not include a network interface identifier portion for the first outside-scope identifier for identifying the first network interface;

identify, from the header of the first packet, a first operation identifier based on an association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier;

execute, based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier, an instruction to perform a first operation identified by the first operation identifier;

identify, from the header of the first packet, a next identifier that is included after the first outside-scope identifier in a sequence of identifiers in the header where the identifiers in the sequence are from an address space of the IPv6 network protocol;

determine a next path segment based on the next identifier; and

cause transmission, via the next path segment, of first data from the current node to a next node in the network path.

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

the performance of the first operation causes;

the identification of the next identifier; and

the transmission, via the next path segment, of the first data from the current node to the next node.

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

the performance of the first operation causes the current node to identify a network interface of the current node, where the first data is transmitted via the network interface to the next node along a hop that includes the current node and the next node.

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

the next node is a virtual node operating at least partially in the current node.

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

the next identifier is identified by the current node using network path information in the header of the first packet, the next identifier being a second outside-scope identifier that, for the current node, identifies a third region that does not include the current node.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 5, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the second outside-scope identifier does not include any network interface portion specified by the IPv6 network protocol for identifying any network interface of a node at least partially included in the third region.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 6, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the node at least partially included in the third region is included in a particular path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the transmitting comprises transmitting, based on the second outside-scope identifier, the first data, via a first path segment outside of the third region, from the current node to a second network interface of the node at least partially included in the third region.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 5, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the node at least partially included in the third region, at least partially includes the third region.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 5, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the node at least partially included in the third region, completely includes the third region.

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

the receiving node includes the first region.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the header includes a node-scoped identifier that identifies a network interface included in the receiving node.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 12, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the identified network interface included in the receiving node is a loopback network interface.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 12, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the identified network interface included in the receiving node is a virtual network interface.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the virtual network interface is included in a virtual node hosted by the receiving node.

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

the instruction is included in the header of the first packet.

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

a third region inside of the receiving node is mutually exclusive of a fourth region including;

the current node and an outside network interface of the receiving node that receives the first data.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 17, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the third region defines a particular area not of the fourth region that resides inside the receiving node.

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

network path information including the next identifier is predetermined by at least one topology node for use by the current node to determine the next path segment from a plurality of path segments.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 19, wherein the network path information is received, at the transmitting node, as a result of a communication of a policy representation from the at least one topology node to the transmitting node, such that the transmitting node creates the header based on the policy representation and transmits the header along with the first data in the network path towards the current node.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 19, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the network path information including the next identifier is predetermined by multiple topology nodes.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, 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.

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

the next path segment is determined in response to the receipt of the first packet.

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

the next path segment is selected without control signaling after the receipt of the first packet.

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

a current state of the network is not maintained by the current node.

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

said first operation identifier is associated with no other identifier in the header other than the first outside-scope identifier;

said association is only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier, by the first operation identifier being associated with no other identifier in the header other than the first outside-scope identifier;

said first operation identifier is identified based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier, by not being based on any other association involving at least one of the first operation identifier or the first outside-scope identifier;

said first operation identifier is identified based only on the association;

said first operation identifier is identified based at least one other parameter, in addition to the association;

said first operation identifier is identified based at least one other aspect, in addition to the association;

said instruction is executed based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier, by using the first operation identifier that is, in turn, identified based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier;

said instruction is executed based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier, because the first operation identifier is identified based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier;

said instruction is executed directly based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier;

said instruction is executed indirectly based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier;

said next identifier is included immediately after the first outside-scope identifier in the sequence of identifiers in the header;

said next identifier is included after the first outside-scope identifier in the sequence of identifiers in the header, with at least one other identifier between the next identifier and the first outside-scope identifier;

said identifiers in the sequence are from the address space of the IPv6 network protocol, by being associated with the address space of the IPv6 network protocol;

said previous node includes the transmitting node;

said previous node includes a path node between the transmitting node and the current node;

said next node includes the receiving node;

said next node includes a path node between the current node and the receiving node;

said first region is based on a domain;

said first region includes a particular domain;

said first region includes a particular area;

said second region is based on a second domain;

said second region includes a second particular domain;

said second region includes a second particular area;

said receiving node includes a destination node;

said receiving node does not include a destination node;

said transmitting node includes a source node;

said transmitting node does not include a source node;

said one or more processors includes multiple processors that, when different subsets of the instructions are each executed by a corresponding one of the different multiple processors, each perform different ones of;

the receiving, the identification, the execution, the identification, the determination, and the causation;

said one or more processors includes a single processor that, when the instructions are executed, performs each of;

the receiving, the identification, the execution, the identification, the determination, and the causation;

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

said identification, from the header of the first packet, of the first operation identifier is carried out via a detection thereof;

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

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

said first outside-scope identifier identifies, only in the first region of the network, the second region;

said first outside-scope identifier identifies, in the first region of the network, the second region;

said non-transitory computer-readable media is included as part of a system that further comprises the current node;

said non-transitory computer-readable media is included as part of a system that further comprises the transmitting node and the receiving node;

or

said non-transitory computer-readable media is included as part of the current node.

27. A method, comprising:

performing at least one act that is configured to cause a current node, that is configured to be positioned in a network along a network path including a transmitting node and a receiving node, to;

based on a first outside-scope identifier included in a header of a first packet that is specified according to an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) network protocol and via a first network interface of the current node that is in a network path segment that includes a previous node and the current node, receive an indication of a receipt, from the previous node that is in a first region of the network, of the first packet, the first outside-scope identifier identifying, in the first region, a second region communicatively coupled to the previous node via the first network interface of the current node, where the header does not include a network interface identifier portion for the first outside-scope identifier for identifying the first network interface,

identify, from the header of the first packet, a first operation identifier based on an association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier,

execute, based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier, an instruction to perform a first operation identified by the first operation identifier,

identify, from the header of the first packet, a next identifier that is included after the first outside-scope identifier in a sequence of identifiers in the header where the identifiers in the sequence are from an address space of the IPv6 network protocol,

determine a next path segment based on the next identifier, and

cause transmission, via the next path segment, of first data from the current node to a next node in the network path; and

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

28. The method of claim 27, and comprising:

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

the performance of the first operation causes;

the identification of the next identifier; and

the transmission, via the next path segment, of the first data from the current node to the next node.

29. The method of claim 27, and comprising:

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

the performance of the first operation causes the current node to identify a network interface of the current node, where the first data is transmitted via the network interface to the next node along a hop that includes the current node and the next node.

30. The method of claim 27, and comprising:

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

the next node is a virtual node operating at least partially in the current node.

31. The method of claim 27, and comprising:

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

the next identifier is identified by the current node using network path information in the header of the first packet, the next identifier being a second outside-scope identifier that, for the current node, identifies a third region that does not include the current node.

32. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

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

the second outside-scope identifier does not include any network interface portion specified by the IPv6 network protocol for identifying any network interface of a node at least partially included in the third region.

33. The method of claim 32, and comprising:

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

the node at least partially included in the third region is included in a particular path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node.

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 transmitting comprises transmitting, based on the second outside-scope identifier, the first data, via a first path segment outside of the third region, from the current node to a second network interface of the node at least partially included in the third region.

35. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

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

the node at least partially included in the third region, at least partially includes the third region.

36. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

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

the node at least partially included in the third region, completely includes the third region.

37. The method of claim 27, and comprising:

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

the receiving node includes the first region.

38. The method of claim 37, and comprising:

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

the header includes a node-scoped identifier that identifies a network interface included in the receiving node.

39. The method of claim 38, and comprising:

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

the identified network interface included in the receiving node is a loopback network interface.

40. The method of claim 38, and comprising:

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

the identified network interface included in the receiving node is a virtual network interface.

41. The method of claim 40, and comprising:

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

the virtual network interface is included in a virtual node hosted by the receiving node.

42. The method of claim 27, and comprising:

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

the instruction is included in the header of the first packet.

43. The method of claim 27, and comprising:

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

a third region inside of the receiving node is mutually exclusive of a fourth region including;

the current node and an outside network interface of the receiving node that receives the first data.

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 third region defines a particular area not of the fourth region that resides inside the receiving node.

45. The method of claim 27, and comprising:

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

network path information including the next identifier is predetermined by at least one topology node for use by the current node to determine the next path segment from a plurality of path segments.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the network path information is received, at the transmitting node, as a result of a communication of a policy representation from the at least one topology node to the transmitting node, such that the transmitting node creates the header based on the policy representation and transmits the header along with the first data in the network path towards the current node.

47. The method of claim 45, and comprising:

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

the network path information including the next identifier is predetermined by multiple topology nodes.

48. The method of claim 27, 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.

49. The method of claim 27, and comprising:

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

the next path segment is determined in response to the receipt of the first packet.

50. The method of claim 27, and comprising:

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

the next path segment is selected without control signaling after the receipt of the first packet.

51. The method of claim 27, 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.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein at least one of:

said first operation identifier is associated with no other identifier in the header other than the first outside-scope identifier;

said association is only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier, by the first operation identifier being associated with no other identifier in the header other than the first outside-scope identifier;

said first operation identifier is identified based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier, by not being based on any other association involving at least one of the first operation identifier or the first outside-scope identifier;

said first operation identifier is identified based only on the association;

said first operation identifier is identified based at least one other parameter, in addition to the association;

said first operation identifier is identified based at least one other aspect, in addition to the association;

said instruction is executed based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier, by using the first operation identifier that is, in turn, identified based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier;

said instruction is executed based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier, because the first operation identifier is identified based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier;

said instruction is executed directly based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier;

said instruction is executed indirectly based on the association only between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier;

said next identifier is included immediately after the first outside-scope identifier in the sequence of identifiers in the header;

said next identifier is included after the first outside-scope identifier in the sequence of identifiers in the header, with at least one other identifier between the next identifier and the first outside-scope identifier;

said identifiers in the sequence are from the address space of the IPv6 network protocol, by being associated with the address space of the IPv6 network protocol;

said previous node includes the transmitting node;

said previous node includes a path node between the transmitting node and the current node;

said next node includes the receiving node;

said next node includes a path node between the current node and the receiving node;

said first region is based on a domain;

said first region includes a particular domain;

said first region includes a particular area;

said second region is based on a second domain;

said second region includes a second particular domain;

said second region includes a second particular area;

said receiving node includes a destination node;

said receiving node does not include a destination node;

said transmitting node includes a source node;

said transmitting node does not include a source node;

said identification, from the header of the first packet, of the first operation identifier is carried out via a detection thereof;

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

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

said first outside-scope identifier identifies, only in the first region of the network, the second region;

said first outside-scope identifier identifies, in the first region of the network, the second region;

said non-transitory computer-readable memory is included as part of a system that further comprises the current node;

said non-transitory computer-readable memory is included as part of a system that further comprises the transmitting node and the receiving node;

or

said non-transitory computer-readable memory is included as part of the current 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, each instance of the identification, the execution, the determination, and the causation of the transmission;

the at least one act causes the current node to perform at least one of the receipt, at least one instance of the identification, the execution, the determination, or the causation of the transmission;

the at least one act causes at least one operation to be performed other than the receipt, each instance of the identification, the execution, the determination, and the causation of the transmission;

the causing storage includes causing storage of at least portion of instructions on the at least one non-transitory computer-readable 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 computer-readable 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 computer-readable 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 computer-readable memory includes a register;

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

the at least one non-transitory computer-readable 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 computer-readable 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 computer-readable memory;

the method further comprises providing one or more processors;

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

or

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

53. A method, comprising:

performing at least one act that is configured to cause a current node, that is configured to be positioned in a network along a network path including a transmitting node and a receiving node, to;

based on a first outside-scope identifier and via a first network interface of the current node that is in a network path segment that includes a previous node and the current node, receive an indication of a receipt, from the previous node that is in a first region of the network, of a first packet that is specified according to an Internet Protocol (IP) network protocol, the first outside-scope identifier identifying, in the first region, a second region communicatively coupled to the previous node via the first network interface of the current node, where the first outside-scope identifier does not include a network interface identifier portion specified by the IP network protocol for identifying the first network interface,

identify, from a header of the first packet, a first operation identifier associated with the first outside-scope identifier,

execute an instruction to perform a first operation identified by the first operation identifier,

identify, from the header of the first packet, a next identifier,

determine a next path segment based on the next identifier, and

cause transmission, via the next path segment, of first data from the current node to a next node in the network path, where;

the next node is a virtual node operating at least partially in the current node,

the next identifier is identified by the current node using network path information in the header of the first packet, the next identifier being a second outside-scope identifier that, for the current node, identifies a third region that does not include the current node,

the second outside-scope identifier does not include any network interface portion specified by the IP network protocol for identifying any network interface of a node at least partially included in the third region,

the node at least partially included in the third region is included in a particular path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node,

the transmission comprises transmitting, based on the second outside-scope identifier, the first data, via a first path segment outside of the third region, from the current node to a second network interface of the node at least partially included in the third region, and

the first path segment is selected from a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second network interface of the node at least partially included in the third region, the second network interface being included in the network path segment, where the network path segment further includes the receiving node; and

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

54. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a current node positioned in a network along a network path including a transmitting node and a receiving node, cause the one or more processors to:

based on a first outside-scope identifier and via a first network interface of the current node that is in a network path segment that includes a previous node and the current node, receive an indication of a receipt, from the previous node that is in a first region of the network, of a first packet that is specified according to an Internet Protocol (IP) network protocol, the first outside-scope identifier identifying, in the first region, a second region communicatively coupled to the previous node via the first network interface of the current node, where the first outside-scope identifier does not include a network interface identifier portion specified by the IP network protocol for identifying the first network interface;

identify, from a header of the first packet, a first operation identifier associated with the first outside-scope identifier;

execute an instruction to perform a first operation identified by the first operation identifier;

identify, from the header of the first packet, a next identifier;

determine a next path segment based on the next identifier; and

cause transmission, via the next path segment, of first data from the current node to a next node in the network path, where;

the next node is a virtual node operating at least partially in the current node;

the next identifier is identified by the current node using network path information in the header of the first packet, the next identifier being a second outside-scope identifier that, for the current node, identifies a third region that does not include the current node;

the second outside-scope identifier does not include any network interface portion specified by the IP network protocol for identifying any network interface of a node at least partially included in the third region;

the node at least partially included in the third region is included in a particular path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node;

the transmission comprises transmitting, based on the second outside-scope identifier, the first data, via a first path segment outside of the third region, from the current node to a second network interface of the node at least partially included in the third region; and

the first path segment is selected from a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second network interface of the node at least partially included in the third region, the second network interface being included in the network path segment, where the network path segment further includes the receiving node.

55. An apparatus, comprising:

a particular node configured to be positioned in a network path along which first data is capable of being transmitted in a network from a transmitting node to a receiving node which are both in the network path, the particular node including;

at least one non-transitory memory configured to store instructions, and one or more processors in communication with the at least one non-transitory memory, wherein the one or more processors is configured to execute the instructions to cause the particular node to;

based on a first outside-scope identifier included in a header of a first packet that is specified according to an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) network protocol and via a first network interface of the particular node that is in a network path segment that includes a previous node and the particular node, receive, from the previous node that is in a first region of the network, the first packet, the first outside-scope identifier identifying, in the first region, a second region communicatively coupled to the previous node via the first network interface of the particular node, where the header does not include a network interface identifier for the first outside-scope identifier for identifying the first network interface;

identify, in the header of the first packet, a first operation identifier based on an association exclusively between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier;

execute, based on the association exclusively between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier, an instruction to perform a first operation identified by the first operation identifier;

identify, in the header of the first packet, a next identifier that is included after the first outside-scope identifier in a sequence of identifiers in the header where the identifiers in the sequence are from an address space of the IPv6 network protocol;

determine a next path segment based on the next identifier; and

transmit, via the next path segment, the first data from the particular node to a next node in the network path.

56. A method, comprising:

at a particular node in a network path along which first data is transmitted in a network from a transmitting node to a receiving node which are both in the network path;

based on a first outside-scope identifier included in a header of a first packet that is specified according to an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) network protocol and via a first network interface of the particular node that is in a network path segment that includes a previous node and the particular node, receiving, from the previous node that is in a first region of the network the first packet, the first outside-scope identifier identifying, in the first region, a second region communicatively coupled to the previous node via the first network interface of the particular node, where the header does not include a network interface identifier portion for the first outside-scope identifier for identifying the first network interface;

identifying, in the header of the first packet, a first operation identifier based on an association specifically between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier;

executing, based on the association specifically between the first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier, an instruction to perform a first operation identified by the first operation identifier;

identifying, in the header of the first packet, a next identifier that is included after the first outside-scope identifier in a sequence of identifiers in the header where the identifiers in the sequence are associated with an address space of the IPv6 network protocol;

determining a next path segment based on the next identifier; and

transmitting, via the next path segment, the first data from the particular node to a next node in the network path.

57. A particular node configured to be positioned in a network path along which first data is capable of being transmitted in a network from a transmitting node, to a previous node, and to a receiving node all of which are in the network path, the particular node comprising:

means for receiving, from the previous node that is in a first region of the network, a first packet that is specified according to an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) network protocol, where the first packet is received based on a first outside-scope identifier included in a header of the first packet and via a first network interface of the particular node that is in a network path segment that includes the previous node and the particular node, the first outside-scope identifier identifying, in the first region, a second region communicatively coupled to the previous node via the first network interface of the particular node, where the header does not include a network interface identifier portion for the first outside-scope identifier for identifying the first network interface;

means for executing, based on an association only between a first operation identifier and the first outside-scope identifier, an instruction to perform a first operation identified by a first operation identifier associated with the first outside-scope identifier, and determining a next path segment based on a next identifier that is included after the first outside-scope identifier in a sequence of identifiers in the header where the identifiers in the sequence are from an address space of the IPv6 network protocol; and

means for transmitting, via the next path segment, the first data from the particular node to a next node in the network path.