On-demand diverse path computation for limited visibility computer networks
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- detecting, at a source device, a packet flow that meets criteria for multi-path forwarding;
inserting a probe packet into a header of the packet flow;
forwarding the packet flow on a primary path from the source device to a destination device, the probe packet carrying a multi-path forwarding indicator and a topology accumulation indicator to cause a plurality of transit devices along the primary path to add their respective local neighbor topology to the forwarded probe packet, and also to cause the destination device to compute a diverse path from the primary path based on the accumulated local neighbor topologies in the probe packet, wherein the probe packet is an initial packet of the packet flow;
receiving, at the source device, a returned diverse path as computed by the destination device in response to the probe packet; and
forwarding the packet flow on the primary path and the diverse path from the source device to the destination device according to the multi-path forwarding.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, a source device detects a packet flow that meets criteria for multi-path forwarding, and forwards a probe packet on a primary path from the source device to a destination device, the probe packet carrying an indication to cause a plurality of transit devices along the primary path to add their respective local neighbor topology to the forwarded probe packet, and also to cause the destination device to compute a diverse path from the primary path based on the accumulated local neighbor topologies in the probe packet. Accordingly, the source device may receive a returned diverse path as computed by the destination device in response to the probe packet, and may thus forward the packet flow on the primary path and the diverse path from the source device to the destination device according to the multi-path forwarding.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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detecting, at a source device, a packet flow that meets criteria for multi-path forwarding; inserting a probe packet into a header of the packet flow; forwarding the packet flow on a primary path from the source device to a destination device, the probe packet carrying a multi-path forwarding indicator and a topology accumulation indicator to cause a plurality of transit devices along the primary path to add their respective local neighbor topology to the forwarded probe packet, and also to cause the destination device to compute a diverse path from the primary path based on the accumulated local neighbor topologies in the probe packet, wherein the probe packet is an initial packet of the packet flow; receiving, at the source device, a returned diverse path as computed by the destination device in response to the probe packet; and forwarding the packet flow on the primary path and the diverse path from the source device to the destination device according to the multi-path forwarding. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method, comprising:
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determining a local neighbor topology by a network device; receiving a probe packet from a packet flow on a primary path from a source device to a destination device, the probe packet carrying an indication that requests diverse path computation by the destination device of the primary path, wherein the probe packet is an initial packet of the packet flow; in response to the indication, adding the local neighbor topology of the network device to an accumulation, within the probe packet, of respective local neighbor topologies of other transit devices along the primary path; and forwarding the probe packet with the accumulation of local neighbor topologies toward the destination device along the primary path. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A method, comprising:
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receiving a probe packet from a packet flow on a primary path from a source device at a destination device, the probe packet carrying an indication that requests that the destination device compute a diverse path of the primary path for the packet flow, wherein the probe packet is an initial packet of the packet flow; retrieving the primary path of the probe packet; retrieving, from the probe packet, an accumulation of respective local neighbor topologies of transit devices along the primary path; computing a diverse path from the primary path based on the accumulation of local neighbor topologies in the probe packet; and returning, from the destination device to the source device, the computed diverse path. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus, comprising:
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one or more network interfaces to communicate in a computer network;
a processor coupled to the network interfaces and adapted to execute one or more processes; anda memory configured to store a process executable by the processor, the process when executed operable to; detect a packet flow that meets criteria for multi-path forwarding for which the apparatus is a source device; insert a probe packet into a header of the packet flow; forward the packet flow on a primary path from the source device to a destination device, the probe packet carrying a multi-path forwarding indicator and a topology accumulation indicator to cause a plurality of transit devices along the primary path to add their respective local neighbor topology to the forwarded probe packet, and also to cause the destination device to compute a diverse path from the primary path based on the accumulated local 14 neighbor topologies in the probe packet, wherein the probe packet is an initial packet of the packet flow; receive a returned diverse path as computed by the destination device in response to the probe packet; and forward the packet flow on the primary path and the diverse path to the destination device according to the multi-path forwarding. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. An apparatus, comprising:
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one or more network interfaces to communicate in a computer network; a processor coupled to the network interfaces and adapted to execute one or more processes; and a memory configured to store a process executable by the processor, the process when executed operable to; receive a probe packet of a packet flow from a source device on a primary path for which the apparatus is a destination device, the probe packet carrying an indication that requests that the apparatus as the destination device compute a diverse path of the primary path for the packet flow, wherein the probe packet is an initial packet of the packet flow; retrieve the primary path of the probe packet; retrieve, from the probe packet, an accumulation of respective local neighbor topologies of transit devices along the primary path; compute a diverse path from the primary path based on the accumulation of local neighbor topologies in the probe packet; and return the computed diverse path to the source device. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification