Routing methods, systems, and computer program products

• US 10,476,787 B1
• Filed: 04/24/2018
• Issued: 11/12/2019
• 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): Swearingen, Jeffrey R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gidado, Oluwatosin M
• Application Number:
  US15/961,826
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 709245, 709223, 709224, 709226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/50 using label swapping, e.g. multi-protocol label switch [MPLS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/745 Address table lookup; Address filtering
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 Parsing or analysis of headers

Abstract

In various embodiments, an apparatus, non-transitory computer-readable media, and computer-implemented method are provided to: detect, by a current node in a network path along which first data is transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted in a network, network path information that is based on a first policy and is positioned in a header of a first packet that is specified according to a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network protocol, the network path information in the header of the first packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the first data from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, where the network path information in the header of the first packet includes: a region scoped node identifier that is in an identifier space having a scope that spans within a particular region of the network, and that globally identifies a particular node in a plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network, where the particular node is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, and a node scoped network interface identifier that identifies a network interface of a specific node for transmitting the first data that is communicatively coupled between the transmitting node and the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted; and perform additional processing.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

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;

identify, by a current node in a network path along which first data is transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted in a network, network path information that is based on a first policy and is positioned in a header of a first packet that is specified according to a label switching forwarding paradigm, the network path information in the header of the first packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the first data from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, where the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying a plurality of different identifiers including;

a region scoped node identifier that is in an identifier space having a scope that spans within a particular region of the network, and that globally identifies a particular node in a plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network, where the particular node is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, and

a node scoped network interface identifier that identifies a network interface of a specific node for transmitting the first data that is communicatively coupled between the transmitting node and the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted; and

utilize, by the current node and based on the network path information in the header of the first packet, only one of the plurality of different identifiers including only one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted;

in the event that the region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data;

transmit, based on the region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, the first data from the current node to the particular node within the particular region via a first path segment selected, based on a routing table of the current node, from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the particular node within the particular region that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted; and

in the event that the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with the first data;

transmit the first data from the current node, which is the specific node for transmitting the first data, via the network interface of the specific node for transmitting the first data to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors is further configured to execute the instructions to:

identify, by the current node in a network path along which second data is transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted in the network, network path information that is based on the first policy and is positioned in a header of a second packet that is specified according to the label switching forwarding paradigm, the network path information in the header of the second packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the second data from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, where the network path information in the header of the second packet is configured for use in identifying;

the region scoped node identifier that is in the identifier space having the scope that spans within the particular region of the network and that globally identifies the particular node in the plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network, where the particular node is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, and

a node scoped network interface identifier that identifies a network interface of a specific node for transmitting the second data that is communicatively coupled between the transmitting node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted; and

utilize, by the current node and based on the network path information in the header of the second packet, one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, for transmitting the second data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted;

in the event that the region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit, based on the region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the second data, the second data from the current node to the particular node within the particular region via a second path segment selected, based on a change to the routing table of the current node, from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the particular node within the particular region that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted; and

in the event that the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit the second data from the current node, which is the specific node for transmitting the second data, via the network interface of the specific node for transmitting the second data to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors is further configured to execute the instructions to:

identify, by the current node in a network path along which second data is transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted in the network, network path information that is based on a second policy and is positioned in a header of a second packet that is specified according to the label switching forwarding paradigm, the network path information in the header of the second packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the second data from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, where the network path information in the header of the second packet is configured for use in identifying;

another region scoped node identifier that is in the identifier space having the scope that spans within the particular region of the network, and that globally identifies the particular node in the plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network, where the particular node is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, and

a node scoped network interface identifier that identifies a network interface of a specific node for transmitting the second data that is communicatively coupled between the transmitting node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted; and

utilize, by the current node and based on the network path information in the header of the second packet, one of the another region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, for transmitting the second data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted;

in the event that the another region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit, based on the another region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the second data, the second data from the current node to the particular node within the particular region via the first path segment selected, based on another routing table, from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the particular node within the particular region that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted; and

in the event that the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit the second data from the current node, which is the specific node for transmitting the second data, via the network interface of the specific node for transmitting the second data to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the current node includes at least one of:

a border node of the particular region of the network, or a source node in a network path along which second data is transmitted, wherein the plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network are configured to communicate according to the label switching forwarding paradigm and the particular region of the network includes at least a portion of the network path along which the first data is transmitted.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the one or more processors is further configured to execute the instructions to:

identify, by the current node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted from the source node to a destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted in the network, network path information that is based on the first policy and is positioned in a header of a second packet that is specified according to the label switching forwarding paradigm, the network path information in the header of the second packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the second data from the source node to the destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, where the network path information in the header of the second packet is configured for use in identifying;

the region scoped node identifier that is in the identifier space having the scope that spans within the particular region of the network, and that globally identifies the particular node in the plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network, where the particular node is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, and at least one of;

a region scoped node identifier that is in the identifier space having the scope that spans within the particular region of the network, and that globally identifies a path node in the plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network, where the identifier space further includes the region scoped identifier of the path node, and the path node is included in another network path segment that includes the particular node and the destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, or

a node scoped network interface identifier that identifies a network interface of a specific node for transmitting the second data that is communicatively coupled between the source node and the destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted;

utilize, by the current node and based on the network path information in the header of the second packet, one of the region scoped node identifier of the path node or the node scoped network interface identifier, for transmitting the second data from the current node to the destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted;

in the event that the region scoped node identifier of the path node is utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit, based on the region scoped node identifier of the path node that is utilized in connection with the second data, the second data from the current node to the path node for transmitting the second data to the particular node via a second path segment selected from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the path node and the particular node within the particular region that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, wherein the region scoped identifier of the path node utilized in connection with the second data is not identified in the network path information that is based on the first policy and is positioned in the header of the first packet; and

in the event that the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit the second data from the current node, which is the specific node for transmitting the second data, via the network interface of the specific node for transmitting the second data to the destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, wherein the node scoped network interface identifier utilized in connection with the second data is not identified the network path information that is based on the first policy and is positioned in the header of the first packet.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the one or more processors is further configured to execute the instructions to:

identify, by the current node in a network path along which the second data is transmitted from the source node to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted in the network, network path information that is based on a second policy and is positioned in a header of a second packet that is specified according to the label switching forwarding paradigm, the network path information in the header of the second packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the second data from the source node to a destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, where the network path information in the header of the second packet does not include the region scoped node identifier of the particular node and the second packet is configured for use in identifying one or both of;

a region scoped node identifier that is in the identifier space having the scope that spans within the particular region of the network and that globally identifies a path node in a plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network, where the path node is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, and

a node scoped network interface identifier that identifies a network interface of a specific node for transmitting the second data that is communicatively coupled between the source node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted; and

utilize, by the current node and based on the network path information in the header of the second packet, one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier for transmitting the second data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted;

in the event that the region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit, based on the region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the second data, the second data from the current node to the path node within the particular region via a second path segment selected from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the path node within the particular region that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted; and

in the event that the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit the second data from the current node, which is the specific node for transmitting the second data, via the network interface of the specific node for transmitting the second data to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the receiving node one of:

includes a destination node, or is included in the destination node; and

the transmitting node one of;

includes the source node, or is included in the source node.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the network path information is identified, by identifying the first policy, and determining the network path information based on the first policy.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitting node is not in the particular region.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the transmitting node is in an other region of the network, and the transmitting node is identified, within the other region, by an other scoped node identifier in an other scoped identifier space having an other scope defined by the other region.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network path information is determined by a border node of the particular region, based on the first policy, and the network path information is received by the current node from the border node via the network path.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitting node is in the particular region of the network.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transmitting node is at least one of a border node of the particular region of the network or a source node not included in the particular region.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the network path information is determined by the transmitting node, based on the first policy, and the network path information is received by the current node from the transmitting node via the network path.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving node is not in the particular region.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a destination node is in an other region of the network, and the receiving node is identified, within the other region, by an other scoped node identifier in an other scoped identifier space having an other scope defined by the other region.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving node is identified in the particular region by a scope-specific identifier in a scope-specific identifier space that is specific to, and thus is only useable for data routing in:

the particular region of the network, or at least one node in the particular region of the network.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with the first data, the current node is in an other region of the network, and the first data is transmitted via the network interface to a node having a network interface in the particular region.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the current node is identified, within the other region, by a region scoped node identifier in an other scoped identifier space having an other scope defined by the other region.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving node is in the particular region of the network.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the receiving node is a border node of the particular region of the network.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the region scoped node identifier identifies, for the particular node, a network interface of the particular node included in the network path along which the first data is transmitted.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the network interface is a loop-back network interface of the particular node.

24. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the selection of at least one of the first path segment or the second path segment is based on the routing table.

25. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the node scoped identifier identifies an other network interface that is different from the network interface of the specific node for transmitting the first data to the receiving node.

30. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least one of:

only one of the plurality of different identifiers including only one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by the current node for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, by transmitting the first data directly to the receiving node;

only one of the plurality of different identifiers including only one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by the current node for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, by transmitting the first data indirectly to the receiving node via the particular node;

only one of the plurality of different identifiers including only one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by the current node for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, while only another one of the plurality of different identifiers including only another one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by another node in the network path for transmitting the first data in the network path;

only one of the plurality of different identifiers including only one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by the current node for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, while only another one of the plurality of different identifiers including only another one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by the current node for transmitting second data along another network path;

only one of the plurality of different identifiers including only one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by the current node for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, while only another one of the plurality of different identifiers including only another one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by the current node for transmitting second data along another path segment of the network path that is different from a particular path segment of the network path along which the first data is transmitted;

the current node is the specific node for transmitting the first data in the event that the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with the first data, and the current node is not the specific node for transmitting the first data in the event that the node scoped network interface identifier is not utilized in connection with the first data;

the network interface includes a virtual network interface;

in the event that the region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data, the region scoped node identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by the current node;

in the event that the region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data, the region scoped node identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by another node;

in the event that the region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data, the region scoped node identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by a previous node;

in the event that the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with the first data, the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by the current node;

in the event that the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with the first data, the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by another node;

in the event that the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with the first data, the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by a previous node;

the network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of different identifiers, by including the plurality of different identifiers;

the network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of different identifiers, by being used to locate the plurality of different identifiers;

the network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of different identifiers, by being used to locate the plurality of different identifiers that are positioned outside the header;

the network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of different identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the plurality of different identifiers;

the network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of different identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the plurality of different identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is the only identifier positioned in the header of the first packet;

the network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of different identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the plurality of different identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is one of a plurality of symbolic identifiers positioned in the header of the first packet;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of values thereof being different;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of them being useable differently;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of them being useable differently, even though values thereof are the same;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of what they identify being different;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of what they identify being different, even though values thereof are the same;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of entities for which they are useable being different;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of being of a different identifier type;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of being of a different identifier type, even though values thereof are the same;

the only one of the plurality of different identifiers is utilized, while at least one other identifier is also utilized in addition to the only one of the plurality of different identifiers is utilized;

the only one of the plurality of different identifiers is utilized, while at least one other identifier, not included in the plurality of different identifiers, is utilized in addition to the only one of the plurality of different identifiers is utilized;

the network path information includes a plurality of commands;

the network path information is based on the first policy by including the first policy;

the network path information is based on the first policy by including the first policy, such that the first policy is positioned in the header of the first packet;

the network path information is based on the first policy by being generated using the first policy;

the network path information is identified by being received;

or

the network path information is identified by being detected.

26. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

identify, by a current node in a network path along which first data is transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted in a network, network path information that is based on a first policy and is positioned in a header of a first packet that is specified according to a label switching forwarding paradigm, the network path information in the header of the first packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the first data from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, where the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying a plurality of different identifiers including;

a region scoped node identifier that is in an identifier space having a scope that spans within a particular region of the network, and that globally identifies a particular node in a plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network, where the particular node is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, and

a node scoped network interface identifier that identifies a network interface of a specific node for transmitting the first data that is communicatively coupled between the transmitting node and the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted; and

utilize, by the current node and based on the network path information in the header of the first packet, only one of the plurality of different identifiers including only the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted;

in the event that the region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data;

transmit, based on the region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, the first data from the current node to the particular node within the particular region via a first path segment selected, based on a routing table of the current node, from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the particular node within the particular region that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted; and

in the event that the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with the first data;

transmit the first data from the current node, which is the specific node for transmitting the first data, via the network interface of the specific node for transmitting the first data to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted.

27. An apparatus, comprising:

a current node that is configured to be communicatively coupled;

in a first network path including a first transmitting node and a first receiving node in a network, and in a second network path including a second transmitting node and a second receiving node in the network, the current 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 of the current node is configured to execute the instructions to cause the current node to;

receive a first packet including first data and a first header, the first header being specified according to a label switching forwarding paradigm, the first header being configured for use in identifying a first plurality of identifiers including a region scoped node identifier in a region scoped node identifier space spanning a first region that includes the current node and a first node, the region scoped node identifier identifying, for the current node, the first node in the first region;

transmit, based on the region scoped node identifier, the first data from the current node to the first node via a first path segment of the first network path, the first path segment being selected based on a routing table of the current node, and further being selected from path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first node and that include at least one multi-hop path segment;

receive a second packet including second data and a second header, the second header being specified according to the label switching forwarding paradigm, the second header being configured for use in identifying a second plurality of identifiers including a scope-specific node identifier in a region-specific identifier space that is specific to, and thus is only useable for data routing in, at least one region that includes the current node, the scope-specific node identifier identifying, for the current node, a second node in a second region in which the current node does not reside; and

transmit, based on the scope-specific node identifier, the second data from the current node to the second node via a second path segment of the second network path, the second path segment being selected based on the routing table of the current node, and further being selected from path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second node and that include at least one multi-hop path segment.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least one of:

the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first node are the same as the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second node;

the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first node are different from the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second node;

the at least one multi-hop path segment of the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first node is the same as the at least one multi-hop path segment of the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second node;

the at least one multi-hop path segment of the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first node is different from the at least one multi-hop path segment of the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second node;

the first header is configured for use in identifying the first plurality of identifiers, by including the first plurality of identifiers;

the first header is configured for use in identifying the first plurality of identifiers, by being used to locate the first plurality of identifiers;

the first header is configured for use in identifying the first plurality of identifiers, by being used to locate the first plurality of identifiers that are positioned outside the first header;

the first header is configured for use in identifying the first plurality of identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the first plurality of identifiers;

the first header is configured for use in identifying the first plurality of identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the first plurality of identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is the only identifier positioned in the first header of the first packet;

the first header is configured for use in identifying the first plurality of identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the first plurality of identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is one of a plurality of symbolic identifiers positioned in the first header of the first packet;

the first header is configured for use in identifying the first plurality of identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the first plurality of identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is one of multiple identifiers positioned in the first header of the first packet that include at least one non-symbolic identifier;

the second header is configured for use in identifying the second plurality of identifiers, by including the second plurality of identifiers;

the second header is configured for use in identifying the second plurality of identifiers, by being used to locate the second plurality of identifiers;

the second header is configured for use in identifying the second plurality of identifiers, by being used to locate the second plurality of identifiers that are positioned outside the second header;

the second header is configured for use in identifying the second plurality of identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the second plurality of identifiers;

the second header is configured for use in identifying the second plurality of identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the second plurality of identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is the only identifier positioned in the second header of the second packet;

the second header is configured for use in identifying the second plurality of identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the second plurality of identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is one of a plurality of symbolic identifiers positioned in the second header of the second packet;

the first path segment includes the at least one multi-hop path segment;

the first path segment does not include the at least one multi-hop path segment;

the second path segment includes the at least one multi-hop path segment;

the second path segment does not include the at least one multi-hop path segment;

the region-specific identifier space is only useable for data routing in the at least one region, while still being useable for other purposes outside the at least one region;

the region-specific identifier space is only useable for data routing in the at least one region, while still being useable for one or more other purposes, including but not limited to policy generation, by one or more nodes outside the at least one region;

knowledge of only the scope-specific node identifier, is insufficient to know a scope thereof;

knowledge of the at least one region is required to know a scope of the scope-specific node identifier;

the scope-specific node identifier does not identify any node inside the current node;

the scope-specific node identifier only identifies the second node;

the scope-specific node identifier identifies the second node by identifying a particular node inside the second node;

the at least one region includes the first region;

the at least one region does not include the first region;

the first packet is received from the first transmitting node;

the first packet is received from a previous node between the first transmitting node and the current node;

the second packet is received from the second transmitting node;

the second packet is received from a particular node between the second transmitting node and the current node;

the first node includes the first receiving node;

the first node includes a particular node between the current node and the first receiving node;

the second node includes the second receiving node;

the second node includes a particular node between the current node and the second receiving node;

the first plurality of identifiers and the second plurality of identifiers, are mutually exclusive;

the label switching forwarding paradigm includes a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network protocol;

the label switching includes Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS);

the forwarding paradigm includes a network protocol;

the forwarding paradigm includes a routing protocol;

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

the first plurality of identifiers and the second plurality of identifiers, include at least some common identifiers;

each region is based on a domain;

each region includes a particular domain;

each region includes a particular area;

each network path includes a particular physical network path;

each network path includes a particular virtual network path;

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

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

the second data is transmitted from the current node in the second packet;

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

or

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

28. An apparatus, comprising:

a current node that is configured to be communicatively coupled;

in a first network path including a first transmitting node and a first receiving node in a network, in a second network path including a second transmitting node and a second receiving node in the network, and in a third network path including a third transmitting node and a third receiving node in the network, the current 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 of the current node is configured to execute the instructions to cause the current node to;

receive a first packet including first data and a first header, the first header being specified according to a label switching forwarding paradigm, the first header being configured for use in identifying a first plurality of identifiers including a region scoped node identifier in a region scoped node identifier space spanning a first region that includes the current node and a first node, the region scoped node identifier identifying, for the current node, the first node in the first region;

transmit, based on the region scoped node identifier, the first data from the current node to the first node via a first path segment of the first network path, the first path segment being selected based on a routing table of the current node, and further being selected from path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first node and that include at least one multi-hop path segment;

receive a second packet including second data and a second header, the second header being specified according to the label switching forwarding paradigm, the second header being configured for use in identifying a second plurality of identifiers including a scope-specific node identifier in a region-specific identifier space that is specific to, and thus is only useable for data routing in, at least one region that includes the current node, the scope-specific node identifier identifying, for the current node, a second node in a second region in which the current node does not reside;

transmit, based on the scope-specific node identifier, the second data from the current node to the second node via a second path segment of the second network path, the second path segment being selected based on the routing table of the current node, and further being selected from path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second node and that include at least one multi-hop path segment;

receive a third packet including third data and a third header, the third header being specified according to the label switching forwarding paradigm, the third header being configured for use in identifying a third plurality of identifiers including;

a node scoped network interface identifier that identifies a network interface, and at least one of;

another region scoped node identifier or another scope-specific node identifier; and

transmit, based on the node scoped network interface identifier, the third data from the current node via the network interface to a third node along at least a portion of the third network path.

31. A method, comprising:

configuring at least a portion of a plurality of instructions; and

causing storage of the at least portion of the instructions on at least one non-transitory memory, where the instructions, in response to being executed by circuitry of a current node in a network path along which first data is transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted in a network, cause the current node to;

identify, by the current node, network path information that is based on a first policy and is positioned in a header of a first packet that is specified according to a label switching forwarding paradigm, the network path information in the header of the first packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the first data from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, where the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying a plurality of different identifiers including;

a region scoped node identifier that is in an identifier space having a scope that spans within a particular region of the network, and that globally identifies a particular node in a plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network, where the particular node is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, and

a node scoped network interface identifier that identifies a network interface of a specific node for transmitting the first data that is communicatively coupled between the transmitting node and the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted; and

utilize, by the current node and based on the network path information in the header of the first packet, only one of the plurality of different identifiers including only one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted;

in response to the region scoped node identifier being utilized in connection with the first data;

transmit, based on the region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, the first data from the current node to the particular node within the particular region via a first path segment selected, based on a routing table of the current node, from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the particular node within the particular region that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted; and

in response to the node scoped network interface identifier being utilized in connection with the first data;

transmit the first data from the current node, which is the specific node for transmitting the first data, via the network interface of the specific node for transmitting the first data to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted.

32. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to;

identify, by the current node in a network path along which second data is transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted in the network, network path information that is based on the first policy and is positioned in a header of a second packet that is specified according to the label switching forwarding paradigm, the network path information in the header of the second packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the second data from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, where the network path information in the header of the second packet is configured for use in identifying;

the region scoped node identifier that is in the identifier space having the scope that spans within the particular region of the network and that globally identifies the particular node in the plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network, where the particular node is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, and

a node scoped network interface identifier that identifies a network interface of a specific node for transmitting the second data that is communicatively coupled between the transmitting node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted; and

utilize, by the current node and based on the network path information in the header of the second packet, one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, for transmitting the second data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted;

in response to the region scoped node identifier being utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit, based on the region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the second data, the second data from the current node to the particular node within the particular region via a second path segment selected, based on a change to the routing table of the current node, from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the particular node within the particular region that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted; and

in response to the node scoped network interface identifier being utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit the second data from the current node, which is the specific node for transmitting the second data, via the network interface of the specific node for transmitting the second data to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted.

33. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to;

identify, by the current node in a network path along which second data is transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted in the network, network path information that is based on a second policy and is positioned in a header of a second packet that is specified according to the label switching forwarding paradigm, the network path information in the header of the second packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the second data from the transmitting node to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, where the network path information in the header of the second packet is configured for use in identifying;

another region scoped node identifier that is in the identifier space having the scope that spans within the particular region of the network, and that globally identifies the particular node in the plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network, where the particular node is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, and

a node scoped network interface identifier that identifies a network interface of a specific node for transmitting the second data that is communicatively coupled between the transmitting node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted; and

utilize, by the current node and based on the network path information in the header of the second packet, one of the another region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, for transmitting the second data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted;

in response to the another region scoped node identifier being utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit, based on the another region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the second data, the second data from the current node to the particular node within the particular region via the first path segment selected, based on another routing table, from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the particular node within the particular region that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted; and

in response to the node scoped network interface identifier being utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit the second data from the current node, which is the specific node for transmitting the second data, via the network interface of the specific node for transmitting the second data to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted.

34. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the current node includes at least one of;

a border node of the particular region of the network, or a source node in a network path along which second data is transmitted, wherein the plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network are configured to communicate according to the label switching forwarding paradigm and the particular region of the network includes at least a portion of the network path along which the first data is transmitted.

35. The method of claim 34, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to;

identify, by the current node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted from the source node to a destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted in the network, network path information that is based on the first policy and is positioned in a header of a second packet that is specified according to the label switching forwarding paradigm, the network path information in the header of the second packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the second data from the source node to the destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, where the network path information in the header of the second packet is configured for use in identifying;

the region scoped node identifier that is in the identifier space having the scope that spans within the particular region of the network, and that globally identifies the particular node in the plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network, where the particular node is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, and at least one of;

a region scoped node identifier that is in the identifier space having the scope that spans within the particular region of the network, and that globally identifies a path node in the plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network, where the identifier space further includes the region scoped identifier of the path node, and the path node is included in another network path segment that includes the particular node and the destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, or

a node scoped network interface identifier that identifies a network interface of a specific node for transmitting the second data that is communicatively coupled between the source node and the destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted;

utilize, by the current node and based on the network path information in the header of the second packet, one of the region scoped node identifier of the path node or the node scoped network interface identifier, for transmitting the second data from the current node to the destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted;

in response to the region scoped node identifier of the path node being utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit, based on the region scoped node identifier of the path node that is utilized in connection with the second data, the second data from the current node to the path node for transmitting the second data to the particular node via a second path segment selected from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the path node and the particular node within the particular region that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, wherein the region scoped identifier of the path node utilized in connection with the second data is not identified in the network path information that is based on the first policy and is positioned in the header of the first packet; and

in response to the node scoped network interface identifier being utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit the second data from the current node, which is the specific node for transmitting the second data, via the network interface of the specific node for transmitting the second data to the destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, wherein the node scoped network interface identifier utilized in connection with the second data is not identified the network path information that is based on the first policy and is positioned in the header of the first packet.

36. The method of claim 34, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to;

identify, by the current node in a network path along which the second data is transmitted from the source node to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted in the network, network path information that is based on a second policy and is positioned in a header of a second packet that is specified according to the label switching forwarding paradigm, the network path information in the header of the second packet being for use by the current node in transmitting the second data from the source node to a destination node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, where the network path information in the header of the second packet does not include the region scoped node identifier of the particular node and the second packet is configured for use in identifying one or both of;

a region scoped node identifier that is in the identifier space having the scope that spans within the particular region of the network and that globally identifies a path node in a plurality of nodes in the particular region of the network, where the path node is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted, and

a node scoped network interface identifier that identifies a network interface of a specific node for transmitting the second data that is communicatively coupled between the source node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted; and

utilize, by the current node and based on the network path information in the header of the second packet, one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier for transmitting the second data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted;

in response to the region scoped node identifier being utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit, based on the region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the second data, the second data from the current node to the path node within the particular region via a second path segment selected from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the path node within the particular region that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted; and

in response to the node scoped network interface identifier being utilized in connection with the second data;

transmit the second data from the current node, which is the specific node for transmitting the second data, via the network interface of the specific node for transmitting the second data to the receiving node in the network path along which the second data is transmitted.

37. The method of claim 36, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the receiving node one of;

includes a destination node, or is included in the destination node; and

the transmitting node one of;

includes the source node, or is included in the source node.

38. The method of claim 34, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the network path information is identified, by identifying the first policy, and determining the network path information based on the first policy.

39. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the transmitting node is not in the particular region.

40. The method of claim 39, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the transmitting node is in an other region of the network, and the transmitting node is identified, within the other region, by an other scoped node identifier in an other scoped identifier space having an other scope defined by the other region.

41. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the network path information is determined by a border node of the particular region, based on the first policy, and the network path information is received by the current node from the border node via the network path.

42. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the transmitting node is in the particular region of the network.

43. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the transmitting node is at least one of a border node of the particular region of the network or a source node not included in the particular region.

44. The method of claim 43, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the network path information is determined by the transmitting node, based on the first policy, and the network path information is received by the current node from the transmitting node via the network path.

45. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the receiving node is not in the particular region.

46. The method of claim 45, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

a destination node is in an other region of the network, and the receiving node is identified, within the other region, by an other scoped node identifier in an other scoped identifier space having an other scope defined by the other region.

47. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the receiving node is identified in the particular region by a scope-specific identifier in a scope-specific identifier space that is specific to, and thus is only useable for data routing in;

the particular region of the network, or at least one node in the particular region of the network.

48. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with the first data, the current node is in an other region of the network, and the first data is transmitted via the network interface to a node having a network interface in the particular region.

49. The method of claim 48, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the current node is identified, within the other region, by a region scoped node identifier in an other scoped identifier space having an other scope defined by the other region.

50. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the receiving node is in the particular region of the network.

51. The method of claim 50, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the receiving node is a border node of the particular region of the network.

52. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

region scoped node identifier identifies, for the particular node, a network interface of the particular node included in the network path along which the first data is transmitted.

53. The method of claim 52, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the network interface is a loop-back network interface of the particular node.

54. The method of claim 32, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the selection of at least one of the first path segment or the second path segment is based on the routing table.

55. The method of claim 32, wherein at least one of:

only part of the instructions is subject to the configuring;

only the at least portion of the instructions is subject to the configuring;

an entirety of the instructions is subject to the configuring;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring, is also subject to the further configuring;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring, is the same as the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the further configuring;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring, is different from the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the further configuring;

a first part of the at least portion of the instructions is subject to the configuring, and a second part of the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the further configuring;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring is a part thereof that, in response to being executed by the circuitry of the current node, causes the current node to perform the identification, the utilization, and at least one instance of the transmission;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring is a part thereof that, in response to being executed by the circuitry of the current node, causes the current node to perform at least one of the identification, the utilization, or at least one instance of the transmission;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring is not a part thereof that, in response to being executed by the circuitry of the current node, causes the current node to perform the identification, the utilization, and at least one instance of the transmission;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring is a part thereof that, in response to being executed by the circuitry of the current node, causes the current node to perform at least one operation other than the identification, the utilization, and the transmission;

the configuring includes customization;

the configuring includes causing the utilization;

the configuring includes causing the utilization;

the configuring includes causing at least one aspect of the utilization;

the configuring includes causing the utilization of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier;

the plurality of the instructions includes a subset of instructions required for the current node to operate;

the plurality of the instructions includes an entirety of instructions required for the current node to operate;

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

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

the causing storage includes causing storage of the at least portion of the 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 of the instructions;

the causing storage includes causing transfer of the 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 method further comprises configuring the current node;

the method further comprises coupling the at least one non-transitory memory to the circuitry;

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 the circuitry;

the circuitry includes at least one of;

one or more microprocessors, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more graphics processing units, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more optical or photonic processors, or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs);

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.

56. The method of claim 32, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that;

the node scoped identifier identifies an other network interface that is different from the network interface of the specific node for transmitting the first data to the receiving node.

57. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions such that, in response to the instructions being executed by the circuitry of the current node, the current node is caused to operate such that only one of the plurality of different identifiers including only one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by the current node for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, by transmitting the first data directly to the receiving node;

only one of the plurality of different identifiers including only one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by the current node for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, by transmitting the first data indirectly to the receiving node via the particular node;

only one of the plurality of different identifiers including only one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by the current node for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, while only another one of the plurality of different identifiers including only another one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by another node in the network path for transmitting the first data in the network path;

only one of the plurality of different identifiers including only one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by the current node for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, while only another one of the plurality of different identifiers including only another one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by the current node for transmitting second data along another network path;

only one of the plurality of different identifiers including only one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by the current node for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node in the network path along which the first data is transmitted, while only another one of the plurality of different identifiers including only another one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized by the current node for transmitting second data along another path segment of the network path that is different from a particular path segment of the network path along which the first data is transmitted;

the current node is the specific node for transmitting the first data in response to the node scoped network interface identifier being utilized in connection with the first data, and the current node is not the specific node for transmitting the first data in response to the node scoped network interface identifier not being utilized in connection with the first data;

the network interface includes a virtual network interface;

in response to the region scoped node identifier being utilized in connection with the first data, the region scoped node identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by the current node;

in response to the region scoped node identifier being utilized in connection with the first data, the region scoped node identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by another node;

in response to the region scoped node identifier being utilized in connection with the first data, the region scoped node identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by a previous node;

in response to the node scoped network interface identifier being utilized in connection with the first data, the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by the current node;

in response to the node scoped network interface identifier being utilized in connection with the first data, the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by another node;

in response to the node scoped network interface identifier being utilized in connection with the first data, the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by a previous node;

the network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of different identifiers, by including the plurality of different identifiers;

the network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of different identifiers, by being used to locate the plurality of different identifiers;

the network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of different identifiers, by being used to locate the plurality of different identifiers that are positioned outside the header;

the network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of different identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the plurality of different identifiers;

the network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of different identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the plurality of different identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is the only identifier positioned in the header of the first packet;

the network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of different identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the plurality of different identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is one of a plurality of symbolic identifiers positioned in the header of the first packet;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of values thereof being different;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of them being useable differently;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of them being useable differently, even though values thereof are the same;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of what they identify being different;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of what they identify being different, even though values thereof are the same;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of entities for which they are useable being different;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of being of a different identifier type;

the plurality of different identifiers are different by virtue of being of a different identifier type, even though values thereof are the same;

the only one of the plurality of different identifiers is utilized, while at least one other identifier is also utilized in addition to the only one of the plurality of different identifiers is utilized;

the only one of the plurality of different identifiers is utilized, while at least one other identifier, not included in the plurality of different identifiers, is utilized in addition to the only one of the plurality of different identifiers is utilized;

the network path information includes a plurality of commands;

the network path information is based on the first policy by including the first policy;

the network path information is based on the first policy by including the first policy, such that the first policy is positioned in the header of the first packet;

the network path information is based on the first policy by being generated using the first policy;

the network path information is identified by being received;

or

the network path information is identified by being detected.

58. A method, comprising:

configuring at least a portion of a plurality of instructions; and

causing storage of the at least portion of the instructions on at least one non-transitory memory, where the instructions, in response to being executed by circuitry of a current node that is configured to be communicatively coupled in a first network path including a first transmitting node and a first receiving node in a network and in a second network path including a second transmitting node and a second receiving node in the network, cause the current node to;

receive a first packet including first data and a first header, the first header being specified according to a label switching forwarding paradigm, the first header being configured for use in identifying a first plurality of identifiers including a region scoped node identifier in a region scoped node identifier space spanning a first region that includes the current node and a first node, the region scoped node identifier identifying, for the current node, the first node in the first region;

transmit, based on the region scoped node identifier, the first data from the current node to the first node via a first path segment of the first network path, the first path segment being selected based on a routing table of the current node, and further being selected from path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first node and that include at least one multi-hop path segment;

receive a second packet including second data and a second header, the second header being specified according to the label switching forwarding paradigm, the second header being configured for use in identifying a second plurality of identifiers including a scope-specific node identifier in a region-specific identifier space that is specific to, and thus is only useable for data routing in, at least one region that includes the current node, the scope-specific node identifier identifying, for the current node, a second node in a second region in which the current node does not reside; and

transmit, based on the scope-specific node identifier, the second data from the current node to the second node via a second path segment of the second network path, the second path segment being selected based on the routing table of the current node, and further being selected from path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second node and that include at least one multi-hop path segment.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein at least one of:

the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first node are the same as the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second node;

the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first node are different from the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second node;

the at least one multi-hop path segment of the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first node is the same as the at least one multi-hop path segment of the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second node;

the at least one multi-hop path segment of the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first node is different from the at least one multi-hop path segment of the path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second node;

the first header is configured for use in identifying the first plurality of identifiers, by including the first plurality of identifiers;

the first header is configured for use in identifying the first plurality of identifiers, by being used to locate the first plurality of identifiers;

the first header is configured for use in identifying the first plurality of identifiers, by being used to locate the first plurality of identifiers that are positioned outside the first header;

the first header is configured for use in identifying the first plurality of identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the first plurality of identifiers;

the first header is configured for use in identifying the first plurality of identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the first plurality of identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is the only identifier positioned in the first header of the first packet;

the first header is configured for use in identifying the first plurality of identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the first plurality of identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is one of a plurality of symbolic identifiers positioned in the first header of the first packet;

the first header is configured for use in identifying the first plurality of identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the first plurality of identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is one of multiple identifiers positioned in the first header of the first packet that include at least one non-symbolic identifier;

the second header is configured for use in identifying the second plurality of identifiers, by including the second plurality of identifiers;

the second header is configured for use in identifying the second plurality of identifiers, by being used to locate the second plurality of identifiers;

the second header is configured for use in identifying the second plurality of identifiers, by being used to locate the second plurality of identifiers that are positioned outside the second header;

the second header is configured for use in identifying the second plurality of identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the second plurality of identifiers;

the second header is configured for use in identifying the second plurality of identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the second plurality of identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is the only identifier positioned in the second header of the second packet;

the second header is configured for use in identifying the second plurality of identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier that represents the second plurality of identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is one of a plurality of symbolic identifiers positioned in the second header of the second packet;

the first path segment includes the at least one multi-hop path segment;

the first path segment does not include the at least one multi-hop path segment;

the second path segment includes the at least one multi-hop path segment;

the second path segment does not include the at least one multi-hop path segment;

the region-specific identifier space is only useable for data routing in the at least one region, while still being useable for other purposes outside the at least one region;

the region-specific identifier space is only useable for data routing in the at least one region, while still being useable for one or more other purposes, including but not limited to policy generation, by one or more nodes outside the at least one region;

knowledge of only the scope-specific node identifier, is insufficient to know a scope thereof;

knowledge of the at least one region is required to know a scope of the scope-specific node identifier;

the scope-specific node identifier does not identify any node inside the current node;

the scope-specific node identifier only identifies the second node;

the scope-specific node identifier identifies the second node by identifying a particular node inside the second node;

the at least one region includes the first region;

the at least one region does not include the first region;

the first packet is received from the first transmitting node;

the first packet is received from a previous node between the first transmitting node and the current node;

the second packet is received from the second transmitting node;

the second packet is received from a particular node between the second transmitting node and the current node;

the first node includes the first receiving node;

the first node includes a particular node between the current node and the first receiving node;

the second node includes the second receiving node;

the second node includes a particular node between the current node and the second receiving node;

the first plurality of identifiers and the second plurality of identifiers, are mutually exclusive;

the label switching forwarding paradigm includes a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network protocol;

the label switching includes Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS);

the forwarding paradigm includes a network protocol;

the forwarding paradigm includes a routing protocol;

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

the first plurality of identifiers and the second plurality of identifiers, include at least some common identifiers;

each region is based on a domain;

each region includes a particular domain;

each region includes a particular area;

each network path includes a particular physical network path;

each network path includes a particular virtual network path;

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

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

the second data is transmitted from the current node in the second packet;

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

or

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

60. A method, comprising:

configuring at least a portion of a plurality of instructions; and

causing storage of the at least portion of the instructions on at least one non-transitory memory, where the instructions, in response to being executed by circuitry of a current node that is configured to be communicatively coupled;

in a first network path including a first transmitting node and a first receiving node in a network, in a second network path including a second transmitting node and a second receiving node in the network, and in a third network path including a third transmitting node and a third receiving node in the network;

cause the current node to;

receive a first packet including first data and a first header, the first header being specified according to a label switching forwarding paradigm, the first header being configured for use in identifying a first plurality of identifiers including a region scoped node identifier in a region scoped node identifier space spanning a first region that includes the current node and a first node, the region scoped node identifier identifying, for the current node, the first node in the first region;

transmit, based on the region scoped node identifier, the first data from the current node to the first node via a first path segment of the first network path, the first path segment being selected based on a routing table of the current node, and further being selected from path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first node and that include at least one multi-hop path segment;

receive a second packet including second data and a second header, the second header being specified according to the label switching forwarding paradigm, the second header being configured for use in identifying a second plurality of identifiers including a scope-specific node identifier in a region-specific identifier space that is specific to, and thus is only useable for data routing in, at least one region that includes the current node, the scope-specific node identifier identifying, for the current node, a second node in a second region in which the current node does not reside;

transmit, based on the scope-specific node identifier, the second data from the current node to the second node via a second path segment of the second network path, the second path segment being selected based on the routing table of the current node, and further being selected from path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second node and that include at least one multi-hop path segment;

receive a third packet including third data and a third header, the third header being specified according to the label switching forwarding paradigm, the third header being configured for use in identifying a third plurality of identifiers including;

a node scoped network interface identifier that identifies a network interface, and at least one of;

another region scoped node identifier or another scope-specific node identifier; and

transmit, based on the node scoped network interface identifier, the third data from the current node via the network interface to a third node along at least a portion of the third network path.