Fast path forwarding of link state advertisements using reverse path forwarding
First Claim
1. A method for propagating a link state advertisement protocol message by a network device in a communication network, the network device having a plurality of interfaces, a fast path for forwarding protocol messages, and a control plane for processing protocol messages, the method comprising:
- receiving a link state advertisement protocol message from an originating device over an inbound interface;
determining whether the inbound interface is a reverse path forwarding interface for the originating device; and
forwarding the link state advertisement protocol message by the fast path, if and only if the inbound interface is determined to be the reverse path forwarding interface for the originating device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A link state advertisement protocol message received from an originating device over an inbound interface is forwarded over the fast path according to a reverse path forwarding determination. Specifically, a reverse path forwarding check is performed in order to determine the reverse path forwarding interface for the originating device. A forwarding state that indicates the reverse path forwarding interface may be installed, in which case the forwarding state may be used to determine the reverse path forwarding interface. If the inbound interface is determined to be the reverse path forwarding interface for the originating device, then the link state advertisement protocol message is forwarded over the fast path. Otherwise, the link state advertisement protocol message is not forwarded over the fast path. The link state advertisement protocol message continues to be processed and forwarded by the control plane as usual for robustness.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for propagating a link state advertisement protocol message by a network device in a communication network, the network device having a plurality of interfaces, a fast path for forwarding protocol messages, and a control plane for processing protocol messages, the method comprising:
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receiving a link state advertisement protocol message from an originating device over an inbound interface;
determining whether the inbound interface is a reverse path forwarding interface for the originating device; and
forwarding the link state advertisement protocol message by the fast path, if and only if the inbound interface is determined to be the reverse path forwarding interface for the originating device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device for propagating a link state advertisement protocol message in a communication network, the device comprising:
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a plurality of interfaces;
a control plane for processing protocol messages; and
a fast path coupled to the control plane and to the plurality of interfaces, the fast path comprising;
receiving logic operably coupled to receive a link state advertisement protocol message from an originating device over an inbound interface; and
fast path forwarding logic responsive to the receiving logic and operably coupled to forward the link state advertisement protocol message if and only if the inbound interface is a reverse path interface for the originating device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A program product comprising a computer readable medium having embodied therein a computer program for propagating a link state advertisement protocol message by a network device in a communication network, the network device having a plurality of interfaces, a control plane for processing protocol messages, and a fast path for forwarding protocol messages, the computer program comprising:
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receiving logic programmed to receive a link state advertisement protocol message from an originating device over an inbound interface; and
fast path forwarding logic responsive to the receiving logic and programmed to forward the link state advertisement protocol message if and only if the inbound interface is a reverse path interface for the originating device. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification