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Method and apparatus for routing data to a load balanced server using MPLS packet labels

  • US 6,856,991 B1
  • Filed: 03/19/2002
  • Issued: 02/15/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of routing data from a client to a selected load-balanced server among a plurality of servers in a network that comprises a plurality of load-balancing nodes, the method comprising the steps of:

  • receiving a first packet of a client request at one of the load-balancing nodes in the network;

    storing information identifying a flow associated with the first packet, an identifier of an interface of that node on which the first packet arrived, and an outgoing interface identifier;

    receiving a first packet of a server reply at a last node associated with a selected server among the plurality of servers;

    receiving one or more subsequent packets of the client request;

    receiving a label value;

    storing the label value in a load balancing mapping at the last node that associates the label with the flow and interface identifying information; and

    forwarding the subsequent packets to the selected server on a route that is defined by the load-balancing mapping and without hop-by-hop routing decisions.

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