Routing methods, systems, and computer program products

• US 10,587,505 B1
• Filed: 04/24/2018
• Issued: 03/10/2020
• 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): Louie, Oscar A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gidado, Oluwatosin M
• Application Number:
  US15/961,828
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 709245
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/02 Topology update or discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/20 Hop count for routing purposes, e.g. TTL
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/26 Route discovery packet
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/44 Distributed routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/50 using label swapping, e.g. multi-protocol label switch [MPLS]

Abstract

In various embodiments, an apparatus, a non-transitory computer-readable media, and a 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 a network, network path information that is based on a first policy and is 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 along the network path, where the network path information in the header of the first packet includes a plurality of identifiers; in connection with the first packet; and select, by the current node and using the network path information in the header of the first packet, one of: a region scoped node identifier, a first scope-specific node identifier, or a node scoped network interface identifier.

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 a network, network path information that is based on a first policy and is 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 along the network path, where the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying a plurality of different identifiers capable of including any of;

a region scoped node identifier, a first scope-specific node identifier, or a node scoped network interface identifier;

in connection with the first data utilize, by the current node and using the network path information in the header of the first packet, at least one of;

the region scoped node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the region scoped node identifier is in an identifier space having a scope that spans a first particular region of the network and identifies a first particular node of a plurality of nodes including the current node in the first particular region of the network, where the first particular node is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node,

the first scope-specific node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the first scope-specific node identifier is in a region-specific identifier space that is specific to, and thus is only useable for data routing in, a first specific region that includes the current node, where the current node is not in a second particular region of a second particular node, and the first scope-specific node identifier identifies, for the current node, the second particular node in the second particular region, or

the node scoped network interface identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the node scoped network interface identifier identifies a network interface of the current node for transmitting the first data;

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 first particular node in the first particular region via a 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 first particular node in the first particular region;

in the event that the first scope-specific node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data;

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

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data, the first scope-specific node identifier is utilized in connection with a second packet for transmitting second data, and the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with a third packet for transmitting third data.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of different identifiers further includes:

a second scope-specific node identifier in a second node-specific identifier space of a second node in a second specific region that includes a first node, where the second scope-specific node identifier identifies, for the second node, the first node, and

a third scope-specific node identifier in a third node-specific identifier space of a third node, where the third scope-specific node identifier identifies, for the third node, the second node.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first node and the second node are in a same region.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the third node is in the same region.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the third node is in a different region that is different from the same region.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first node and the second node are in different regions.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the third node is in the same region as the second node.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, in the event that the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized, a region scoped identifier or a region scope-specific identifier of another node in the network path, is utilized.

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

said plurality of different identifiers are capable of including any one or more of;

the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, and/or the node scoped network interface identifier, while only a single one of;

the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized in connection with the first data;

said plurality of different identifiers are capable of including any of;

the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier;

but only includes one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier for utilization in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data;

said plurality of different identifiers includes the region scoped node identifier, but does not include the first scope-specific node identifier and the node scoped network interface identifier;

said plurality of different identifiers includes the first scope-specific node identifier, but does not include the region scoped node identifier and the node scoped network interface identifier;

said plurality of different identifiers includes the node scoped network interface identifier, but does not include the first scope-specific node identifier and the region scoped node identifier;

said plurality of different identifiers includes the region scoped node identifier for utilization in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data, and the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying at least one of the first scope-specific node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier for utilization by one or more other nodes for one or more other transmissions;

said plurality of different identifiers includes the first scope-specific node identifier for utilization in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data, and the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying at least one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier for utilization by one or more other nodes for one or more other transmissions;

said plurality of different identifiers includes the node scoped network interface identifier for utilization in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data, and the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying at least one of the first scope-specific node identifier or the region scoped node identifier for utilization by one or more other nodes for one or more other transmissions;

said plurality of different identifiers are capable of including one or more additional identifiers other than the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, and the node scoped network interface identifier;

said network interface includes a virtual network interface;

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

said label switching includes Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS);

said forwarding paradigm includes a network protocol;

said forwarding paradigm includes a routing protocol;

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

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

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

in the event that the first scope-specific node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data, the first scope-specific 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;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

said network path information is configured, by being encoded;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

each identifier space includes an address space;

each identifier includes an address;

said first particular region is based on a first particular domain;

said first particular region includes a first particular domain;

said first particular region includes a first particular area;

said second particular region is based on a second particular domain;

said second particular region includes a second particular domain;

said second particular region includes a second particular area;

said network path includes a physical network path;

said network path includes a virtual network path;

said network path segment is a segment of the network path;

said network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node, is one of the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region;

said network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node, includes the path segment selected, based on the routing table of the current node, from the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region;

said network path information is based on the first policy, by one or more identifiers of the network path information being utilized based the first policy;

said network path information is based on the first policy, by one or more identifiers of the network path information being selected based the first policy;

said network path information is based on the first policy, by one or more identifiers of said network path information being determined based the first policy;

said network path information is based on the first policy, by one or more identifiers of said network path information being representative of the first policy;

said network path information is based on the first policy, by one or more identifiers of said network path information being at least part of the first policy;

said network path information is identified by being received;

said network path information is identified by being detected;

said first specific region at least partially overlaps with the first particular region;

said first specific region does not overlap with the first particular region;

said network path information is used in connection with the utilization of at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, by extracting therefrom the at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier;

said network path information is used in connection with the utilization of at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, by identifying therein the at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier;

said network path information is used in connection with the utilization of at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, by using the network path information to identify the at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier;

said network path information is used in connection with the utilization of at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, by using the network path information to identify the at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, for the respective transmitting;

said network path information is used in connection with the utilization of at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, by using the network path information to identify, in a separate data structure, the at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier;

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

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

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

said region-specific identifier space is only useable for data routing in the first specific 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 first specific region;

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

knowledge of the first specific region is required to know a scope of the first scope-specific node identifier;

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

said first scope-specific node identifier only identifies the second particular node;

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

said network path is capable of including different path segments between the transmitting node and the receiving node;

said multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region, are the same as the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region;

said multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region, are different from the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region;

said at least one multi-hop path segment of the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region, is the path segment that is selected;

said at least one multi-hop path segment of the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region, is not the path segment that is selected;

said at least one multi-hop path segment of the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region, is the path segment that is selected;

said at least one multi-hop path segment of the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region, is not the path segment that is selected;

said at least one multi-hop path segment of the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region, is the same as the at least one multi-hop path segment of the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region;

said at least one multi-hop path segment of the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region, is different from the at least one multi-hop path segment of the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region;

said path segment selected from the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region, is the same as the path segment selected from the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region;

said path segment selected from the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region, is different from the path segment selected from the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region;

said 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 along the network path, by being for use by the current node in transmitting the first data from the transmitting node toward the receiving node along the network path;

or

said 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 along the network path, by being for use by the current node in transmitting the first data via at least one segment of the network path.

11. 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 a network, network path information that is based on a first policy and is 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 along the network path, where the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying a plurality of different identifiers; and

in connection with the first data utilize, by the current node and using the network path information in the header of the first packet, one of;

a region scoped node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the region scoped node identifier is in an identifier space having a scope that spans a particular region of the network and identifies a particular node of a plurality of nodes including the current node 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, wherein, in the event that the region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data;

the first data is transmitted, based on the region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, from the current node to the particular node in the particular region via a first path segment selected, based on a metric associated with the first path segment, 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 in the particular region that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node;

or

a first scope-specific node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the first scope-specific node identifier is in a region-specific identifier space that is specific to, and thus is only useable for data routing in, a first region that includes the current node, where the first scope-specific node identifier identifies, for the current node, a particular node in a particular region in which the current node does not reside, wherein, in the event that the first scope-specific node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data;

the first data is transmitted, based on the first scope-specific node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, from the current node to the particular node in the particular region via a first path segment selected, based on a metric associated with the first path segment, 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 in the particular region.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the plurality of different identifiers includes the region scoped node identifier, and the region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the plurality of different identifiers includes the first scope-specific node identifier, and the first scope-specific node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the plurality of different identifiers includes at least one of the region scoped node identifier or the first scope-specific node identifier, and a node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the plurality of different identifiers includes both the region scoped node identifier and the first scope-specific node identifier, while only one of the region scoped node identifier or the first scope-specific node identifier is utilized.

16. 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 first region of a network and in a network path along which first data is transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in the network, network path information that is based on a first policy and is 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 along the network path, where the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying a plurality of different identifiers capable of including any of;

a first region scoped node identifier, a first region scope-specific node identifier, or a first node scoped network interface identifier;

in connection with the first data utilize, based on a schema of the header of the first packet, by the current node, and using the network path information in the header of the first packet, at least one of;

the first region scoped node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the first region scoped node identifier is in an identifier space having a scope that spans the first region and identifies, within the first region, a first particular node in the first region, where the first particular node in the first region is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node,

the first region scope-specific node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the first region scope-specific node identifier is in a region-specific identifier space that is specific to, and thus is only useable for data routing in, the first region and the first region scope-specific node identifier identifies, for the current node, a second particular node that is not in the first region, or

the first node scoped network interface identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the first node scoped network interface identifier identifies a network interface of the current node for transmitting the first data when the current node is included in a hop in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node;

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

transmit, based on the first region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, the first data from the current node to the first particular node in the first region, via a path segment that communicatively couples the current node and the first particular node included in the first region and that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node;

in the event that the first region scope-specific node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data;

transmit, based on the first region scope-specific node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, the first data from the current node to the second particular node, that is not in the first region, via a path segment that communicatively couples the current node and the second particular node that is not in the first region and that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node; and

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

transmit the first data from the current node, via the network interface of the current node, for transmitting the first data to the receiving node along the network path.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is configured such that one of:

the path segment, that communicatively couples the current node and the first particular node included in the first region;

or the path segment, that communicatively couples the current node and the second particular node;

is selected from a routing table of the current node.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is configured such that one of:

the path segment, that communicatively couples the current node and the first particular node, is selected, based on a measure associated with the path segment, that communicatively couples the current node and the first particular node, according to a metric upon which a routing table of the current node is based, from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are each capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node, or

the path segment, that communicatively couples the current node and the second particular node, is selected, based on a measure associated with the path segment, that communicatively couples the current node and the second particular node, according to a metric upon which a routing table of the current node is based, from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are each capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node included in the first region.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the first region scoped node identifier, the first region scope-specific node identifier, and the first node scoped network interface identifier are each utilized in separate operational scenarios involving different packets.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is configured such that one of the first region scoped node identifier or the first region scope-specific node identifier is processed by the current node as a first scope-specific node identifier, in a first node-specific identifier space of a first node, by mapping the first scope-specific identifier to a second scope-specific identifier, in a second node-specific identifier space of a second node.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second particular node is not in a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, and the first region includes and spans within a single node.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the second particular node is in a second region of a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network and is identified using a region scoped identifier space including a plurality of region scoped identifiers that each identify, within the second region, a respective node in the second region.

23. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the plurality of different identifiers are based on a topology of a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network.

24. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is configured such that one of:

the first region scoped node identifier identifies a network interface of the first particular node in the first region, or the first region scope-specific node identifier identifies a network interface of the second particular node.

25. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is configured such that one of:

the first region scoped node identifier identifies a loop-back interface of the first particular node in the first region, or the first region scope-specific node identifier identifies a loop-back interface of the second particular node.

26. 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 first region of a network and in a network path along which first data is transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in the network, network path information that is based on a first policy and is 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 along the network path, where the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying a plurality of different identifiers including at least one of a first region scoped node identifier, a first region scope-specific node identifier, or a first node scoped network interface identifier;

in connection with the first data utilize, based on a schema of the header of the first packet, by the current node, and using the network path information in the header of the first packet, one of;

the first region scoped node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the first region scoped node identifier is in an identifier space having a scope that spans the first region and identifies, within the first region, a particular node in the first region, where the particular node in the first region is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node, wherein, in the event that the first region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data;

the first data is transmitted, based on the first region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, from the current node to the particular node in the first region via a path segment, that communicatively couples the current node and the particular node in the first region and that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node;

or

the first region scope-specific node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the first region scope-specific node identifier is in a region-specific identifier space that is specific to, and thus is only useable for data routing in, the first region and the first region scope-specific node identifier identifies, for the current node, a particular node that is not in the first region, wherein, in the event that the first region scope-specific node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data;

the first data is transmitted, based on the first region scope-specific node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, from the current node to the particular node that is not in the first region, via a path segment that communicatively couples the current node and the particular node that is not in the first region and that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the plurality of different identifiers includes the first region scoped node identifier, and the first region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the plurality of different identifiers includes the first region scope-specific node identifier, and the first region scope-specific node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the plurality of different identifiers includes at least one of the first region scoped node identifier or the first region scope-specific node identifier, and a first node scoped network interface identifier is also included.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the plurality of different identifiers includes both the first region scoped node identifier and the first region scope-specific node identifier, while only one of the first region scoped node identifier or the first region scope-specific node identifier is utilized.

31. A method, comprising:

configuring at least a portion of a plurality of instructions that cause a current node, that is configured to be positioned in a network path along which first data is transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in a network, to;

identify network path information that is based on a first policy and is 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 along the network path, where the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying a plurality of different identifiers capable of including any of;

a region scoped node identifier, a first scope-specific node identifier, or a node scoped network interface identifier,

in connection with the first data, utilize at least one of;

the region scoped node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the region scoped node identifier is in an identifier space having a scope that spans a first particular region of the network and identifies a first particular node of a plurality of nodes including the current node in the first particular region of the network, where the first particular node is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node,

the first scope-specific node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the first scope-specific node identifier is in a region-specific identifier space that is specific to, and thus is only useable for data routing in, a first specific region that includes the current node, where the current node is not in a second particular region of a second particular node, and the first scope-specific node identifier identifies, for the current node, the second particular node in the second particular region, or

the node scoped network interface identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the node scoped network interface identifier identifies a network interface of the current node for transmitting the first data,

based on 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 first particular node in the first particular region via a 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 first particular node in the first particular region,

based on the first scope-specific node identifier being utilized in connection with the first data;

transmit, based on the first scope-specific node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, the first data from the current node to the second particular node in the second particular region via a path segment selected, based on the routing table of the current node, from multiple of the plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region, and

based on the node scoped network interface identifier being utilized in connection with the first data;

transmit the first data from the current node via the network interface to the receiving node along the network path; and

causing storage of the at least portion of the instructions on at least one non-transitory memory.

32. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that;

the region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data, the first scope-specific node identifier is utilized in connection with a second packet for transmitting second data, and the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with a third packet for transmitting third data.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of different identifiers further includes:

a second scope-specific node identifier in a second node-specific identifier space of a second node in a second specific region that includes a first node, where the second scope- specific node identifier identifies, for the second node, the first node, and

a third scope-specific node identifier in a third node-specific identifier space of a third node, where the third scope-specific node identifier identifies, for the third node, the second node.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the first node and the second node are in a same region.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the third node is in the same region.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the third node is in a different region that is different from the same region.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the first node and the second node are in different regions.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the third node is in the same region as the second node.

39. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that;

, based on the node scoped network interface identifier being utilized, a region scoped identifier or a region scope-specific identifier of another node in the network path, is utilized.

40. The method of claim 31, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that at least one of;

the configuring occurs at the current node;

the configuring occurs at a certain node other than the current node;

the configuring and the further configuring occur at the current node;

the configuring and the further configuring occur at a certain node other than the current node;

the configuring occurs at the current node and the further configuring occurs at a certain node other than the current node;

the further configuring occurs at the current node and the configuring occurs at a certain node other than the current node;

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 causes the current node to perform the identification, the utilization, and each instance of the transmission;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring is a part thereof that 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 causes the current node to perform the identification, the utilization, or each instance of the transmission;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring is a part thereof that causes the current node to perform at least one operation other than the identification, the utilization, and each instance of the transmission;

the configuring includes customization;

the configuring includes causing at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, to be utilized in connection with the first data;

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 at least portion of 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 at least portion of the instructions;

the causing storage includes causing transfer of the at least portion 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 one or more processors;

the method further comprises providing the current node;

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

the method further comprises providing one or more processors;

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

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

the instructions are hardware instructions;

the instructions are software instructions;

the instructions is software code;

an entirety of the instructions are stored;

the method further comprises executing the instructions;

the instructions cause the current node to perform the identification, the utilization, and each instance of the transmission, in response to being executed via at least one processor of the current node;

the plurality of different identifiers are capable of including any one or more of;

the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, and/or the node scoped network interface identifier, while only a single one of;

the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, is utilized in connection with the first data;

the plurality of different identifiers are capable of including any of;

the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier;

but only includes one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier for utilization in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data;

the plurality of different identifiers includes the region scoped node identifier, but does not include the first scope-specific node identifier and the node scoped network interface identifier;

the plurality of different identifiers includes the first scope-specific node identifier, but does not include the region scoped node identifier and the node scoped network interface identifier;

the plurality of different identifiers includes the node scoped network interface identifier, but does not include the first scope-specific node identifier and the region scoped node identifier;

the plurality of different identifiers includes the region scoped node identifier for utilization in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data, and the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying at least one of the first scope-specific node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier for utilization by one or more other nodes for one or more other transmissions;

the plurality of different identifiers includes the first scope-specific node identifier for utilization in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data, and the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying at least one of the region scoped node identifier or the node scoped network interface identifier for utilization by one or more other nodes for one or more other transmissions;

the plurality of different identifiers includes the node scoped network interface identifier for utilization in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data, and the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying at least one of the first scope-specific node identifier or the region scoped node identifier for utilization by one or more other nodes for one or more other transmissions;

the plurality of different identifiers are capable of including one or more additional identifiers other than the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, and the node scoped network interface identifier;

the network interface includes a virtual network interface;

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 region scoped node identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by the current node;

the region scoped node identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by another node;

the region scoped node identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by a previous node;

the first scope-specific node identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by the current node;

the first scope-specific node identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by another node;

the first scope-specific node identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by a previous node;

the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by the current node;

the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by another node;

the node scoped network interface identifier is utilized as a result of a decision made by a previous node;

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

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 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 network path information is configured, by being encoded;

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 which are positioned outside 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 representing 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 representing 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 representing 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 network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of different identifiers, by including a symbolic identifier representing the plurality of different identifiers, where the symbolic identifier is one of multiple identifiers positioned in the header of the first packet that include at least one non-symbolic identifier;

each identifier space includes an address space;

each identifier includes an address;

the first particular region is based on a first particular domain;

the first particular region includes a first particular domain;

the first particular region includes a first particular area;

the second particular region is based on a second particular domain;

the second particular region includes a second particular domain;

the second particular region includes a second particular area;

the network path includes a physical network path;

the network path includes a virtual network path;

the network path segment is a segment of the network path;

the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node, is one of the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region;

the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node, includes the path segment selected, based on the routing table of the current node, from the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region;

the network path information is based on the first policy, by one or more identifiers of the network path information being utilized based the first policy;

the network path information is based on the first policy, by one or more identifiers of the network path information being selected based the first policy;

the network path information is based on the first policy, by one or more identifiers of the network path information being determined based the first policy;

the network path information is based on the first policy, by one or more identifiers of the network path information being representative of the first policy;

the network path information is based on the first policy, by one or more identifiers of the network path information being at least part of the first policy;

the network path information is identified by being received;

the network path information is identified by being detected;

the first specific region at least partially overlaps with the first particular region;

the first specific region does not overlap with the first particular region;

the network path information is used in connection with the utilization of at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, by extracting therefrom the at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier;

the network path information is used in connection with the utilization of at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, by identifying therein the at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier;

the network path information is used in connection with the utilization of at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, by using the network path information to identify the at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier;

the network path information is used in connection with the utilization of at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, by using the network path information to identify the at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, for the respective transmitting;

the network path information is used in connection with the utilization of at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier, by using the network path information to identify, in a separate data structure, the at least one of the region scoped node identifier, the first scope-specific node identifier, or the node scoped network interface identifier;

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

the region-specific identifier space is only useable for data routing in the first specific 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 first specific region;

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

knowledge of the first specific region is required to know a scope of the first scope-specific node identifier;

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

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

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

the network path is capable of including different path segments between the transmitting node and the receiving node;

the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region, are the same as the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region;

the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region, are different from the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region;

the at least one multi-hop path segment of the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region, is the path segment that is selected;

the at least one multi-hop path segment of the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region, is not the path segment that is selected;

the at least one multi-hop path segment of the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region, is the path segment that is selected;

the at least one multi-hop path segment of the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region, is not the path segment that is selected;

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

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

the path segment selected from the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region, is the same as the path segment selected from the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region;

the path segment selected from the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node in the first particular region, is different from the path segment selected from the multiple of the plurality of path segments that are capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node in the second particular region;

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 along the network path, by being for use by the current node in transmitting the first data from the transmitting node toward the receiving node along the network path;

or 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 along the network path, by being for use by the current node in transmitting the first data via at least one segment of the network path.

41. A method, comprising:

configuring at least a portion of a plurality of instructions that cause a current node, that is configured to be positioned in a network path along which first data is transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in a network, to;

identify network path information that is based on a first policy and is 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 along the network path, where the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying a plurality of different identifiers, and

in connection with the first data, utilize one of;

a region scoped node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the region scoped node identifier is in an identifier space having a scope that spans a particular region of the network and identifies a particular node of a plurality of nodes including the current node 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, wherein, in response to the region scoped node identifier being utilized in connection with the first data;

the first data is transmitted, based on the region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, from the current node to the particular node in the particular region via a first path segment selected, based on a metric associated with the first path segment, 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 in the particular region that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node, or

a first scope-specific node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the first scope-specific node identifier is in a region-specific identifier space that is specific to, and thus is only useable for data routing in, a first region that includes the current node, where the first scope-specific node identifier identifies, for the current node, a particular node in a particular region in which the current node does not reside, wherein, in response to the first scope-specific node identifier being utilized in connection with the first data;

the first data is transmitted, based on the first scope-specific node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, from the current node to the particular node in the particular region via a first path segment selected, based on a metric associated with the first path segment, 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 in the particular region; and

causing storage of the at least portion of the instructions on at least one non-transitory memory.

42. The method of claim 41, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that;

the plurality of different identifiers includes the region scoped node identifier, and the region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data.

43. The method of claim 41, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that;

the plurality of different identifiers includes the first scope-specific node identifier, and the first scope-specific node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data.

44. The method of claim 41, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that;

the plurality of different identifiers includes at least one of the region scoped node identifier or the first scope- specific node identifier, and a node scoped network interface identifier is utilized in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data.

45. The method of claim 41, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that;

the plurality of different identifiers includes both the region scoped node identifier and the first scope-specific node identifier, while only one of the region scoped node identifier or the first scope-specific node identifier is utilized.

46. A method, comprising:

configuring at least a portion of a plurality of instructions that cause a current node, that is configured to be positioned in a first region of a network and in a network path along which first data is transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in the network, to;

identify network path information that is based on a first policy and is 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 along the network path, where the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying a plurality of different identifiers capable of including any of;

a first region scoped node identifier, a first region scope-specific node identifier, or a first node scoped network interface identifier,

in connection with the first data, utilize, based on a schema of the header of the first packet and using the network path information in the header of the first packet, at least one of;

the first region scoped node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the first region scoped node identifier is in an identifier space having a scope that spans the first region and identifies, within the first region, a first particular node in the first region, where the first particular node in the first region is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node,

the first region scope-specific node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the first region scope- specific node identifier is in a region-specific identifier space that is specific to, and thus is only useable for data routing in, the first region and the first region scope-specific node identifier identifies, for the current node, a second particular node that is not in the first region, or

the first node scoped network interface identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the first node scoped network interface identifier identifies a network interface of the current node for transmitting the first data when the current node is included in a hop in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node,

as a result of the first region scoped node identifier being utilized in connection with the first data;

transmit, based on the first region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, the first data from the current node to the first particular node in the first region, via a path segment that communicatively couples the current node and the first particular node included in the first region and that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node,

as a result of the first region scope-specific node identifier being utilized in connection with the first data;

transmit, based on the first region scope-specific node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, the first data from the current node to the second particular node, that is not in the first region, via a path segment that communicatively couples the current node and the second particular node that is not in the first region and that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node, and

as a result of the first node scoped network interface identifier being utilized in connection with the first data;

transmit the first data from the current node, via the network interface of the current node, for transmitting the first data to the receiving node along the network path; and

causing storage of the at least portion of the instructions on at least one non-transitory memory.

47. The method of claim 46, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that one of;

the path segment, that communicatively couples the current node and the first particular node included in the first region;

or the path segment, that communicatively couples the current node and the second particular node;

is selected from a routing table of the current node.

48. The method of claim 46, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that one of;

the path segment, that communicatively couples the current node and the first particular node, is selected, based on a measure associated with the path segment, that communicatively couples the current node and the first particular node, according to a metric upon which a routing table of the current node is based, from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are each capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the first particular node, or

the path segment, that communicatively couples the current node and the second particular node, is selected, based on a measure associated with the path segment, that communicatively couples the current node and the second particular node, according to a metric upon which a routing table of the current node is based, from multiple of a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are each capable of communicatively coupling the current node and the second particular node included in the first region.

49. The method of claim 46, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that;

the first region scoped node identifier, the first region scope-specific node identifier, and the first node scoped network interface identifier are all utilized, but are each utilized in separate operational scenarios involving different packets.

50. The method of claim 46, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that one of the first region scoped node identifier or the first region scope-specific node identifier is processed by the current node as a first scope-specific node identifier, in a first node-specific identifier space of a first node, by mapping the first scope-specific identifier to a second scope-specific identifier, in a second node-specific identifier space of a second node.

51. The method of claim 46, wherein the second particular node is not in a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, and the first region includes and spans within a single node.

52. The method of claim 46, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that;

the second particular node is in a second region of a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network and is identified using a region scoped identifier space including a plurality of region scoped identifiers that each identify, within the second region, a respective node in the second region.

53. The method of claim 46, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that;

the plurality of different identifiers are based on a topology of a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network.

54. The method of claim 46, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that one of;

the first region scoped node identifier identifies a network interface of the first particular node in the first region, or the first region scope-specific node identifier identifies a network interface of the second particular node.

55. The method of claim 46, and comprising:

further configuring the at least portion of the instructions, where the instructions cause the current node to operate such that one of;

the first region scoped node identifier identifies a loop-back interface of the first particular node in the first region, or the first region scope-specific node identifier identifies a loop-back interface of the second particular node.

56. A method, comprising:

performing at least one act that is configured to cause a current node, that is configured to be positioned in a first region of a network and in a network path along which first data is transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in the network, to;

identify network path information that is based on a first policy and is 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 along the network path, where the network path information in the header of the first packet is configured for use in identifying a plurality of different identifiers including at least one of a first region scoped node identifier, a first region scope-specific node identifier, or a first node scoped network interface identifier,

in connection with the first data, utilize, based on a schema of the header of the first packet and using the network path information in the header of the first packet, one of;

the first region scoped node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the first region scoped node identifier is in an identifier space having a scope that spans the first region and identifies, within the first region, a particular node in the first region, where the particular node in the first region is included in a network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node, wherein, in response to the first region scoped node identifier being utilized in connection with the first data;

the first data is transmitted, based on the first region scoped node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, from the current node to the particular node in the first region via a path segment, that communicatively couples the current node and the particular node in the first region and that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node, or

the first region scope-specific node identifier from the plurality of different identifiers, for transmitting the first data from the current node to the receiving node along the network path, wherein the first region scope- specific node identifier is in a region-specific identifier space that is specific to, and thus is only useable for data routing in, the first region and the first region scope-specific node identifier identifies, for the current node, a particular node that is not in the first region, wherein, in response to the first region scope-specific node identifier being utilized in connection with the first data;

the first data is transmitted, based on the first region scope- specific node identifier that is utilized in connection with the first data, from the current node to the particular node that is not in the first region, via a path segment that communicatively couples the current node and the particular node that is not in the first region and that is included in the network path segment that includes the current node and the receiving node; and

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

57. The method of claim 56, and comprising:

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

the plurality of different identifiers includes the first region scoped node identifier, and the first region scoped node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data.

58. The method of claim 56, and comprising:

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

the plurality of different identifiers includes the first region scope-specific node identifier, and the first region scope-specific node identifier is utilized in connection with the first data for transmitting the first data.

59. The method of claim 56, and comprising:

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

the plurality of different identifiers includes at least one of the first region scoped node identifier or the first region scope-specific node identifier, and a first node scoped network interface identifier is also included.

60. The method of claim 56, and comprising:

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

the plurality of different identifiers includes both the first region scoped node identifier and the first region scope-specific node identifier, while only one of the first region scoped node identifier or the first region scope-specific node identifier is utilized.