Routing methods, systems, and computer program products with multiple sequences of identifiers

• US 10,721,164 B1
• Filed: 11/21/2019
• Issued: 07/21/2020
• 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): Tran, Jimmy H
• Application Number:
  US16/691,593
• Time in Patent Office: 243 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/02 Topology update or discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/126 minimising geographical or physical path length
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/22 Alternate routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/34 Source routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/50 using label swapping, e.g. multi-protocol label switch [MPLS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/106 across networks, e.g. mapping telephone numbers to data network addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/38 adapting due to varying relative distances between nodes

Abstract

In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable media is provided for storing instructions, that when executed by one or more processors of a topology node, cause the topology node to: identify a first sequence of identifiers for data routing in a label switching network from a first node in the label switching network; identify a second sequence of identifiers for data routing in the label switching network from a second node in the label switching network; identify a policy for use in constraining data routing from the first node to a third node; include the first sequence of identifiers and the second sequence of identifiers in a third sequence of identifiers that reflects the policy such that data routing is constrained from the first node to the third node via a plurality of network paths that each include at least one node in the label switching network; and provide path information that identifies the third sequence of identifiers, for constraining data routing, according to the policy, to the third node via the second node.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a current node positioned in a network along a network path including a transmitting node and a receiving node, cause the one or more processors to:

receive an indication of a receipt of a first packet that is specified according to an Internet Protocol (IP) network protocol or a label forwarding paradigm;

identify, from a header of the first packet, network path information that is based on at least one of a first metric, a first policy, or a table, the network path information configured for use in identifying a plurality of path segment identifiers including a node scope-specific outside-scope identifier that;

is in an identifier space specific to the current node,

does not identify any network interface of any node, and

identifies, for the current node, a first region of the network,

where the network path, along which first data is transmitted, includes;

a first path segment that communicatively couples the current node and the first region, and

a second path segment in a second region; and

cause transmission, based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier of the network path information, of first data, along with at least one of the plurality path segment identifiers, from the current node to a path node at least partially included in the first region, via the first path segment selected, based on a routing data structure of the current node, from 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 region, where the path node has a first network interface that receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment, and the path node further has a second network interface in the second path segment.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node positioned in an other network path along which second data is capable of being transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in the other network path, wherein the one or more processors is further configured to execute the instructions to:

receive an indication of a receipt of a second packet that is specified according to the Internet Protocol (IP) network protocol;

identify, from a header of the second packet, the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier; and

transmit, based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier identified from the header of the second packet, the second data from the current node.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 2, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, the second data is transmitted from the current node to the path node.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 3, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, the first data and the second data are transmitted from the current node to a same network interface of the path node, where the same network interface is not included in the first region.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 2, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, the second data is transmitted from the current node to another path node that is not included in the first region and at least partially included in the second region.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 3, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, the first data and the second data are transmitted from the current node to different network interfaces.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 5, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the first data is transmitted from the current node to a first network interface of the path node, and the second data is transmitted from the current node to a second network interface of the another path node at least partially included in the second region, wherein the second network interface is not included in the first region.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 2, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the second data is transmitted from the current node via the first path segment that is selected from the plurality of path segments, based on at least one of the first metric, the first policy, or the table.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 2, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the second data is transmitted from the current node via the second path segment that is selected from the plurality of path segments, based on at least one of the first metric, the first policy, or the table.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the at least one of the first metric, the first policy, or the table includes the first metric, and the second path segment is selected based on a change in the network that causes a change in measurement that is measured according to the first metric.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the first data and the second data are transmitted from the current node via different network interfaces of the current node.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the first data and the second data are transmitted from the current node via the same network interface of the current node.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

at least one of the first path segment or the second path segment includes multiple hops.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 9, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the first path segment and the second path segment each include multiple hops.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the path node has a network interface that is not included in the first region and that receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the IP network protocol, and the network interface receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment despite the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier not including a network interface identifier portion specified by the IP network protocol for identifying any network interface of any node.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the IP network protocol, and the network interface receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment despite the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier not including a network interface identifier portion specified by the IP network protocol for identifying any network interface of any node, such that the first data is capable of being received, based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, at any network interface of the path node included in any path segment capable of coupling the current node and the path node.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the network interface receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment despite the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier only identifying, for at least the current node, the second region of the network.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the network interface receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment despite the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier only identifying, for at least the current node, the second region of the network, such that the first data is capable of being received, based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, at any network interface of the path node included in any path segment capable of coupling the current node and the path node.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the path node has a first network interface that is not included in the first region and that receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment, and the path node further has a second network interface that is in the network path and that is in the second region.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the network path information is predetermined by multiple topology nodes.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the network path information is predetermined by the transmitting node.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the network path is specified using a first number of identifiers that is fewer than a second number of identifiers required to specify the network path deterministically.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the first data is capable of being transmitted by the current node along different ones of the plurality of path segments based on;

a policy, and a state of the network at a time when the first packet is received.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 24, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the plurality of path segments are predetermined before the first packet is received by the current node, and selection of one or more of the plurality of path segments is performed by the current node based on;

the policy, and the state of the network at the time when the first packet is received.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the first data is capable of being transmitted by the current node along different ones of the plurality of path segments based on a policy and a current state of the network.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that:

the first data is capable of being transmitted by the current node along different ones of the plurality of path segments based a current state of the network.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that and at least one of:

said first path segment is one of the plurality of path segments;

said first path segment includes the at least one multi-hop path segment;

said first path segment does not include the at least one multi-hop path segment;

said first path segment is selected, based on at least two of the first policy, the table, or the metric;

said first path segment is selected, based on at least all of the first policy, the table, and the metric;

said first path segment is selected, based on the first policy;

said first path segment is selected, based on the table;

said first path segment is selected, based on the metric;

said first packet is received from the transmitting node;

said first packet is received from a particular node between the transmitting node and the current node;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the IP network protocol;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm, where the label switching forwarding paradigm includes a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network protocol;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm, where the label switching includes Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS);

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm, where a forwarding paradigm of the label forwarding paradigm includes a network protocol;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm, where a forwarding paradigm of the label forwarding paradigm includes a routing protocol;

said first region is based on a first domain;

said first region includes a first domain;

said first region includes a first area;

said second region is based on a second domain;

said second region includes a second particular domain;

said second region includes a second particular area;

said receiving node includes a destination node;

said receiving node does not include a destination node;

said transmitting node includes a source node;

said transmitting node does not include a source node;

said identification, from the header of the first packet, of the first outside-scope identifier is performed, by a detection thereof;

said receipt of the indication of the receipt of a first packet, includes receiving, at the one or more processors, a signal from an incoming network interface component upon receipt of the first packet by the incoming network interface component;

said one or more processors includes multiple processors that, when different subsets of the instructions are each executed by a corresponding one of the different multiple processors, each perform different ones of;

the receiving, the identification, and the causation;

said one or more processors includes a single processor that, when the instructions are executed, performs each of;

the receiving, the identification, and the causation;

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 transmitting node and the receiving node in the network path, and the transmitting node and the receiving node in the other network path, are the same;

at least one of the transmitting node or the receiving node in the network path, and at least one of the transmitting node or the receiving node in the other network path, are different;

said transmitting node and the receiving node in the network path, and the transmitting node and the receiving node in the other network path, are all different;

said node scope-specific outside-scope identifier identifies, only in the first region of the network, the second region;

said node scope-specific outside-scope identifier globally identifies, in the first region of the network, the second region;

said non-transitory computer-readable media is included as part of a system that further comprises the current node;

said non-transitory computer-readable media is included as part of a system that further comprises the transmitting node and the receiving node;

said network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of path segment identifiers including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, by including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of path segment identifiers including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, by being used to look up the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said first data is caused to be transmitted, along with each of the plurality path segment identifiers, including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said first data is caused to be transmitted, along with the at least one of the plurality path segment identifiers, including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said first data is caused to be transmitted, along with the at least one of the plurality path segment identifiers that does not include the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said node scope-specific outside-scope identifier is designated as a current identifier when the first packet is received by the current node, and the at least one of the plurality path segment identifiers, that does not include the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, is designated as the current identifier when the first data is caused to be transmitted;

said node scope-specific outside-scope identifier is designated as a current identifier when the first packet is received by the current node, and the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier is designated as the current identifier when the first data is caused to be transmitted;

or

said non-transitory computer-readable media is included as part of the current node.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the current node to operate such that and at least a majority of:

said first path segment is one of the plurality of path segments;

said first path segment includes the at least one multi-hop path segment;

said first path segment does not include the at least one multi-hop path segment;

said first path segment is selected, based on at least two of the first policy, the table, or the metric;

said first path segment is selected, based on at least all of the first policy, the table, and the metric;

said first path segment is selected, based on the first policy;

said first path segment is selected, based on the table;

said first path segment is selected, based on the metric;

said first packet is received from the transmitting node;

said first packet is received from a particular node between the transmitting node and the current node;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the IP network protocol;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm, where the label switching forwarding paradigm includes a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network protocol;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm, where the label switching includes Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS);

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm, where a forwarding paradigm of the label forwarding paradigm includes a network protocol;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm, where a forwarding paradigm of the label forwarding paradigm includes a routing protocol;

said first region is based on a first domain;

said first region includes a first domain;

said first region includes a first area;

said second region is based on a second domain;

said second region includes a second particular domain;

said second region includes a second particular area;

said receiving node includes a destination node;

said receiving node does not include a destination node;

said transmitting node includes a source node;

said transmitting node does not include a source node;

said identification, from the header of the first packet, of the first outside-scope identifier is performed, by a detection thereof;

said receipt of the indication of the receipt of a first packet, includes receiving, at the one or more processors, a signal from an incoming network interface component upon receipt of the first packet by the incoming network interface component;

said one or more processors includes multiple processors that, when different subsets of the instructions are each executed by a corresponding one of the different multiple processors, each perform different ones of;

the receiving, the identification, and the causation;

said one or more processors includes a single processor that, when the instructions are executed, performs each of;

the receiving, the identification, and the causation;

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 transmitting node and the receiving node in the network path, and the transmitting node and the receiving node in the other network path, are the same;

at least one of the transmitting node or the receiving node in the network path, and at least one of the transmitting node or the receiving node in the other network path, are different;

said transmitting node and the receiving node in the network path, and the transmitting node and the receiving node in the other network path, are all different;

said node scope-specific outside-scope identifier identifies, only in the first region of the network, the second region;

said node scope-specific outside-scope identifier globally identifies, in the first region of the network, the second region;

said non-transitory computer-readable media is included as part of a system that further comprises the current node;

said non-transitory computer-readable media is included as part of a system that further comprises the transmitting node and the receiving node;

said network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of path segment identifiers including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, by including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of path segment identifiers including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, by being used to look up the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said first data is caused to be transmitted, along with each of the plurality path segment identifiers, including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said first data is caused to be transmitted, along with the at least one of the plurality path segment identifiers, including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said first data is caused to be transmitted, along with the at least one of the plurality path segment identifiers that does not include the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said node scope-specific outside-scope identifier is designated as a current identifier when the first packet is received by the current node, and the at least one of the plurality path segment identifiers, that does not include the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, is designated as the current identifier when the first data is caused to be transmitted;

said node scope-specific outside-scope identifier is designated as a current identifier when the first packet is received by the current node, and the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier is designated as the current identifier when the first data is caused to be transmitted;

or

said non-transitory computer-readable media is included as part of the current node.

30. An apparatus, comprising:

a particular node configured to be positioned in a network on a first network path along which first data is capable of being transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node which are both in the first network path, the particular node including;

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 cause the particular node to;

receive a first packet that is specified according to an Internet Protocol (IP) network protocol or a label forwarding paradigm;

identify, in a header of the first packet, network path information that is based on at least one of a first metric, a first policy, or a table, the network path information configured for use in identifying a plurality of path segment identifiers including a node scope-specific outside-scope identifier that;

is in an identifier space specific to the particular node,

does not identify any network interface of any node, and

identifies, for the particular node, a first region of the network,

where the network path, along which the first data is transmitted, includes;

a first path segment that communicatively couples the particular node and the first region, and

a second path segment in a second region; and

transmit, based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier of the network path information, first data, along with at least one of the plurality path segment identifiers, from the particular node to a path node at least partially included in the first region, via the first path segment selected, based on a routing data structure of the particular node, from a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the particular node and the first region, where the path node has a first network interface that receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment, and the path node further has a second network interface in the second path segment.

31. A method, comprising:

at a particular node in a network along a network path including a transmitting node and a receiving node;

receiving a first packet that is specified according to an Internet Protocol (IP) network protocol or a label forwarding paradigm, the first packet including a header with network path information that is based on at least one of a first metric, a first policy, or a table, the network path information configured for use in identifying a plurality of path segment identifiers including a node scope-specific outside-scope identifier that;

is in an identifier space specific to the particular node,

does not identify any network interface of any node, and

identifies, for the particular node, a first region of the network,

where the network path, along which first data is transmitted, includes;

a first path segment that communicatively couples the particular node and the first region, and

a second path segment in a second region; and

transmitting, based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier of the network path information, first data, along with at least one of the plurality path segment identifiers, from the particular node to a path node at least partially included in the first region, via the first path segment selected, based on a routing data structure of the particular node, from a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the particular node and the first region, where the path node has a first network interface that receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment, and the path node further has a second network interface in the second path segment.

32. A particular node configured to be positioned in a network along a network path including a transmitting node and a receiving node, the particular node comprising:

means for receiving a first packet that is specified according to an Internet Protocol (IP) network protocol or a label forwarding paradigm, the first packet including a header with network path information that is based on at least one of a first metric, a first policy, or a table, the network path information configured for use in identifying a plurality of path segment identifiers including a node scope-specific outside-scope identifier that;

is in an identifier space specific to the particular node,

does not identify any network interface of any node, and

identifies, for the particular node, a first region of the network,

where the network path, along which first data is transmitted, includes;

a first path segment that communicatively couples the particular node and the first region, and

a second path segment in a second region; and

means for transmitting, based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier of the network path information, first data, along with at least one of the plurality path segment identifiers, from the particular node to a path node at least partially included in the first region, via the first path segment selected, based on a routing data structure of the particular node, from a plurality of path segments, including at least one multi-hop path segment, that are capable of communicatively coupling the particular node and the first region, where the path node has a first network interface that receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment, and the path node further has a second network interface in the second path segment.

33. A method, comprising:

performing at least one act that is configured to cause a current node, which is configured to be positioned in a network along a network path including a transmitting node and a receiving node, to;

receive an indication of a receipt of a first packet that is specified according to an Internet Protocol (IP) network protocol or a label forwarding paradigm,

identify, from a header of the first packet, network path information that is based on at least one of a first metric, a first policy, or a table, the network path information configured for use in identifying a plurality of path segment identifiers including a node scope-specific outside-scope identifier that;

is in an identifier space specific to the current node,

does not identify any network interface of any node, and

identifies, for the current node, a first region of the network,

where the network path, along which first data is transmitted, includes;

a first path segment that communicatively couples the current node and the first region, and

a second path segment in a second region, and

cause transmission, based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier of the network path information, of first data, along with at least one of the plurality path segment identifiers, from the current node to a path node at least partially included in the first region, via the first path segment selected, based on a routing data structure of the current node, from 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 region, where the path node has a first network interface that receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment, and the path node further has a second network interface in the second path segment; and

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

34. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

performing at least one additional act that is configured to cause the current node, which is configured to be positioned in an other network path along which second data is capable of being transmitted from a transmitting node to a receiving node in the other network path, to;

receive an indication of a receipt of a second packet that is specified according to the Internet Protocol (IP) network protocol;

identify, from a header of the second packet, the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier; and

transmit, based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier identified from the header of the second packet, the second data from the current node.

35. The method of claim 34, and comprising:

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

based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, the second data is transmitted from the current node to the path node.

36. The method of claim 35, and comprising:

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

based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, the first data and the second data are transmitted from the current node to a same network interface of the path node, where the same network interface is not included in the first region.

37. The method of claim 34, and comprising:

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

based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, the second data is transmitted from the current node to another path node that is not included in the first region and at least partially included in the second region.

38. The method of claim 35, and comprising:

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

based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, the first data and the second data are transmitted from the current node to different network interfaces.

39. The method of claim 37, and comprising:

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

the first data is transmitted from the current node to a first network interface of the path node, and the second data is transmitted from the current node to a second network interface of the another path node at least partially included in the second region, wherein the second network interface is not included in the first region.

40. The method of claim 34, and comprising:

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

the second data is transmitted from the current node via the first path segment that is selected from the plurality of path segments, based on at least one of the first metric, the first policy, or the table.

41. The method of claim 34, and comprising:

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

the second data is transmitted from the current node via the second path segment that is selected from the plurality of path segments, based on at least one of the first metric, the first policy, or the table.

42. The method of claim 41, and comprising:

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

the at least one of the first metric, the first policy, or the table includes the first metric, and the second path segment is selected based on a change in the network that causes a change in measurement that is measured according to the first metric.

43. The method of claim 41, and comprising:

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

the first data and the second data are transmitted from the current node via different network interfaces of the current node.

44. The method of claim 41, and comprising:

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

the first data and the second data are transmitted from the current node via the same network interface of the current node.

45. The method of claim 41, and comprising:

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

at least one of the first path segment or the second path segment includes multiple hops.

46. The method of claim 41, and comprising:

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

the first path segment and the second path segment each include multiple hops.

47. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

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

the path node has a network interface that is not included in the first region and that receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment.

48. The method of claim 47, and comprising:

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

the IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the IP network protocol, and the network interface receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment despite the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier not including a network interface identifier portion specified by the IP network protocol for identifying any network interface of any node.

49. The method of claim 47, and comprising:

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

the IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the IP network protocol, and the network interface receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment despite the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier not including a network interface identifier portion specified by the IP network protocol for identifying any network interface of any node, such that the first data is capable of being received, based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, at any network interface of the path node included in any path segment capable of coupling the current node and the path node.

50. The method of claim 47, and comprising:

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

the network interface receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment despite the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier only identifying, for at least the current node, the second region of the network.

51. The method of claim 47, and comprising:

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

the network interface receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment despite the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier only identifying, for at least the current node, the second region of the network, such that the first data is capable of being received, based on the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, at any network interface of the path node included in any path segment capable of coupling the current node and the path node.

52. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

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

the path node has a first network interface that is not included in the first region and that receives the first data transmitted via the first path segment, and the path node further has a second network interface that is in the network path and that is in the second region.

53. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

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

the network path information is predetermined by multiple topology nodes.

54. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

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

the network path information is predetermined by the transmitting node.

55. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

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

the network path is specified using a first number of identifiers that is fewer than a second number of identifiers required to specify the network path deterministically.

56. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

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

the first data is capable of being transmitted by the current node along different ones of the plurality of path segments based on;

a policy, and a state of the network at a time when the first packet is received.

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 path segments are predetermined before the first packet is received by the current node, and selection of one or more of the plurality of path segments is performed by the current node based on;

the policy, and the state of the network at the time when the first packet is received.

58. The method of claim 33, and comprising:

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

the first data is capable of being transmitted by the current node along different ones of the plurality of path segments based on a policy and a current state of the network.

59. The method of claim 58, and comprising:

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

said first path segment is one of the plurality of path segments;

said first path segment includes the at least one multi-hop path segment;

said first path segment does not include the at least one multi-hop path segment;

said first path segment is selected, based on at least two of the first policy, the table, or the metric;

said first path segment is selected, based on at least all of the first policy, the table, and the metric;

said first path segment is selected, based on the first policy;

said first path segment is selected, based on the table;

said first path segment is selected, based on the metric;

said first packet is received from the transmitting node;

said first packet is received from a particular node between the transmitting node and the current node;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the IP network protocol;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm, where the label switching forwarding paradigm includes a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network protocol;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm, where the label switching includes Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS);

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm, where a forwarding paradigm of the label forwarding paradigm includes a network protocol;

said IP network protocol or the label forwarding paradigm, includes the label forwarding paradigm, where a forwarding paradigm of the label forwarding paradigm includes a routing protocol;

said first region is based on a first domain;

said first region includes a first domain;

said first region includes a first area;

said second region is based on a second domain;

said second region includes a second particular domain;

said second region includes a second particular area;

said receiving node includes a destination node;

said receiving node does not include a destination node;

said transmitting node includes a source node;

said transmitting node does not include a source node;

said identification is performed, by a detection thereof;

said receipt of the indication of the receipt of a first packet, includes receiving, at one or more processors, a signal from an incoming network interface component upon receipt of the first packet by the incoming network interface component;

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 transmitting node and the receiving node in the network path, and the transmitting node and the receiving node in the other network path, are the same;

at least one of the transmitting node or the receiving node in the network path, and at least one of the transmitting node or the receiving node in the other network path, are different;

said transmitting node and the receiving node in the network path, and the transmitting node and the receiving node in the other network path, are all different;

said node scope-specific outside-scope identifier identifies, only in the first region of the network, the second region;

said node scope-specific outside-scope identifier globally identifies, in the first region of the network, the second region;

said network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of path segment identifiers including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, by including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said network path information is configured for use in identifying the plurality of path segment identifiers including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, by being used to look up the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said first data is caused to be transmitted, along with each of the plurality path segment identifiers, including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said first data is caused to be transmitted, along with the at least one of the plurality path segment identifiers, including the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said first data is caused to be transmitted, along with the at least one of the plurality path segment identifiers that does not include the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier;

said node scope-specific outside-scope identifier is designated as a current identifier when the first packet is received by the current node, and the at least one of the plurality path segment identifiers, that does not include the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier, is designated as the current identifier when the first data is caused to be transmitted;

said node scope-specific outside-scope identifier is designated as a current identifier when the first packet is received by the current node, and the node scope-specific outside-scope identifier is designated as the current identifier when the first data is caused to be transmitted;

said at least one act is performed at the current node;

said at least one act is performed at a certain node other than the current node;

said at least one act and the at least one additional act are performed at the current node;

said at least one act and the at least one additional act are performed at a certain node other than the current node;

said at least one act and the at least one additional act are performed at a certain node other than the current node;

said at least one act and the at least one additional act are performed at a certain node other than the current node;

at least one of the at least one act or the at least one additional act includes a configuration;

at least one of the at least one act or the at least one additional act includes a configuration of instructions;

said at least one act causes the current node to perform the receipt, the identification, the causation of the transmission;

said at least one act causes the current node to perform at least one of the receipt, the identification, or the causation of the transmission;

said at least one act causes at least one operation to be performed other than the receipt, the identification, and the causation of the transmission;

said causing storage includes causing storage of at least portion of 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;

said causing storage includes causing storage of at least portion of instructions on the at least one non-transitory memory, that is part of the current node;

said causing storage includes causing storage of at least portion of 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;

said causing storage includes installation;

said causing storage includes causing transfer of at least portion of instructions from persistent storage to volatile memory;

said at least one non-transitory memory includes a register;

said at least one non-transitory memory includes volatile memory;

said at least one non-transitory memory includes persistent storage;

said phrases at least one act and current node do not invoke 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph;

said method further comprises configuring the current node;

said method further comprises coupling the at least one non-transitory memory to one or more processors;

said method further comprises providing the current node;

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

said method further comprises providing one or more processors;

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

or

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