Method and Apparatus for Dissemination of Information Between Routers
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a method for use by a first processing unit in or to be installed in a router. The first processing unit is configured or responsible for routing (or forwarding) packets to and from other routers. There may be other such first processing units in or installed in the router. In a first step (S1), information is received at the first processing unit which requires dissemination to other routers. The information also requires processing to determine what, if any, reconfiguration of the routing (forwarding) performed by the first processing unit is required. In a second step (S2b) the information is forwarded in a packet to other routers as required according to the routing (forwarding) configuration for the first processing unit. In a third step (S2c) the information is forwarded to at least one other first processing unit in the router (if there are any other first processing units in the router) not already in receipt of the information. If an expedited dissemination procedure is required, the second and third steps (S2b, S2c) are performed before the processing (to determine what if any reconfiguration is required) has been performed (completed) and/or before the first processing unit has been informed of the result of such processing and/or before any reconfiguration required in the first processing unit has been requested, arranged or performed (completed).
36 Citations
37 Claims
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1-19. -19. (canceled)
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20. A method for use by a first processing unit in a router, the first processing unit configured for routing packets to and from other routers, the method comprising:
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(a) receiving information which requires dissemination to other routers and processing to determine what, if any, reconfiguration of the routing performed by the first processing unit is required; if an expedited dissemination procedure is required, performing steps (b) and (c) before any one of the following; the processing has been performed; the first processing unit has been informed of a result of the processing; and any reconfiguration required in the first processing unit has been requested, arranged, or performed; wherein steps (b) and (c) are as follows; (b) forwarding the information in a packet to other routers as required according to a routing configuration for the first processing unit; and (c) if any other first processing unit in the router is not already in receipt of the information, forwarding the information to that other first processing unit. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A first processing unit for use in a router and configured to route packets to and from other routers, the first processing unit comprising one or more processors configured to:
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(a) receive information which requires dissemination to other routers and process to determine what, if any, reconfiguration of the routing performed by the first processing unit is required; if an expedited dissemination procedure is required, perform steps (b) and (c) before any one of the following; the processing has been performed; the first processing unit has been informed of a result of such processing; any reconfiguration required in the first processing unit has been requested, arranged, or performed; wherein steps (b) and (c) are as follows; (b) forwarding the information in a packet to other routers as required according to a routing configuration for the first processing unit; (c) if any other first processing unit in the router is not already in receipt of the information, forwarding the information to that other first processing unit.
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37. A computer program product stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium for controlling a first processing unit in a router, the first processing unit configured for routing packets to and from other routers, the computer program product comprising software instructions which, when run on one or more processors cause the one or more processors to:
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(a) receive information which requires dissemination to other routers and process to determine what, if any, reconfiguration of the routing performed by the first processing unit is required; if an expedited dissemination procedure is required, perform steps (b) and (c) before any one of the following; the processing has been performed; the first processing unit has been informed of a result of the processing; and any reconfiguration required in the first processing unit has been requested, arranged, or performed; wherein steps (b) and (c) are as follows; (b) forwarding the information in a packet to other routers as required according to a routing configuration for the first processing unit; and (c) if any other first processing unit in the router is not already in receipt of the information, forwarding the information to that other first processing unit.
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Specification