Routing methods, systems, and computer program products

• US 10,764,171 B1
• Filed: 03/07/2019
• Issued: 09/01/2020
• 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): Coulter, Kenneth R
• Application Number:
  US16/296,195
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 709245, 709238, 709230, 709229
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/02 Topology update or discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/04 Interdomain routing, e.g. hierarchical routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/126 minimising geographical or physical path length
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/16 Multipoint routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/22 Alternate routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/50 using label swapping, e.g. multi-protocol label switch [MPLS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/745 Address table lookup; Address filtering
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/901 using storage descriptor, e.g. read or write pointers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses

Abstract

In various embodiments, an apparatus, a non-transitory computer-readable media, and a method are provided, involving a technique to: receive an indication of a receipt, via a first path segment, of a first packet that includes a header that is configured for use in identifying a path segment identifier data structure that includes a sequence of path segment identifiers including at least one first path segment identifier configured for use in identifying the first path segment, a second path segment identifier that identifies a region of a network that does not include the current node and that is configured for use in identifying a second path segment, and a third path segment identifier configured for use in identifying a third path segment; detect, using the header of the first packet, the path segment identifier data structure and an active identifier indicator for designating one of the path segment identifiers in the sequence for use by the current node; determine that the active identifier indicator designates the second path segment identifier for use by the current node; and based on the second path segment identifier, cause transmission, via the second path segment, of first data, along with at least a portion of the path segment identifier data structure, from the current node to another node at least partially included in the region, such that the another node is capable of processing the at least portion of the path segment identifier data structure, resulting in the third path segment identifier being designated for use by the another node by another active identifier indicator to cause, based on the third path segment identifier, transmission, via the third path segment, the first data, along with at least part of the path segment identifier data structure, from the current node to yet another node.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a current node, cause the current node to:

receive an indication of a receipt, via a first path segment, of a first packet that includes a header that is configured for use in identifying a path segment identifier data structure that includes a sequence of path segment identifiers including a first path segment identifier configured for use in identifying the first path segment, a second path segment identifier that identifies a region of a network that does not include the current node and that is configured for use in identifying a next region that does not include the current node and for use in identifying a second path segment at least partially included in a current region that at least partially includes the current node such that the second path segment identifier includes a single identifier that identifies, in an address space having a span in the current region, the next region, and a third path segment identifier configured for use in identifying a third path segment;

detect, using the header of the first packet, the path segment identifier data structure and an active identifier indicator for designating one of the path segment identifiers in the sequence for use by the current node;

determine that the active identifier indicator designates the second path segment identifier for use by the current node; and

based on the second path segment identifier, cause transmission, via the second path segment, of first data, along with at least a portion of the path segment identifier data structure, from the current node to another node at least partially included in the region, such that the another node is capable of processing the at least portion of the path segment identifier data structure, resulting in the third path segment identifier being designated for use by the another node by another active identifier indicator to cause, based on the third path segment identifier, transmission, via the third path segment, the first data, along with at least part of the path segment identifier data structure, from the current node to yet another node.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to, based on the second path segment identifier, cause transmission, via the second path segment, the first data, along with at least a portion of the path segment identifier data structure based on the header being an Internet Protocol version six (IPv6) network protocol header.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the second path segment identifier identifies no particular network interface of the another node.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 3, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the second path segment identifier includes an Internet Protocol version six (IPv6) prefix identifier and does not include a network interface identifier.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 4, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the next region includes the another node and includes no node external to the another node.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 4, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the next region is included in the another node.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 6, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the yet another node is included in the another node as a virtual node.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 6, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that at least a portion of the another node is in the current region.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 6, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that no portion of the another node is in the current region.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 3, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the another node is included in a plurality of nodes that are each at least partially included in the next region, and the second path identifier identifies no particular node in the plurality of nodes that are each at least partially included in the next region.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 10, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to:

select a path in a plurality of paths that communicatively couple the current node to each of the nodes in the plurality of nodes that are each at least partially included in the next region, and

cause transmission, via the selected path, of the first data.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 3, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the another node is included in a plurality of nodes that are each at least partially included in the next region, and the second path identifier identifies no particular network interface of any node in the plurality of nodes that are each at least partially included in the region.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the single identifier includes an IP address prefix.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the single identifier identifies a location in a metric space represented by a table in each node in a plurality of nodes in the address space.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that a value of an active segment identifier is mapped to an identical value.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the another node is at least partially included in the next region and includes a network interface in that is not in the next region.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the network interface is in the current region.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 17, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the second path identifier is a region scoped identifier.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the second path identifier is an outside scope identifier.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the network interface is in a region between the current region and the next region.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the second path identifier is an outside scope identifier.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the another node is entirely within the next region.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 22, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the second path identifier is a region scope-specific, outside-scoped address.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 22, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the second path identifier is a region scope-specific identifier.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 22, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the second path identifier is a region scope-specific, outside-scope identifier.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the address space has the span only within the current region.

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

detect whether the active identifier indicator, as received in the header, requires updating; and

in response to detecting that the updating of the active identifier indicator is not required, the determination is performed.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 27, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to, based on the second path segment identifier, cause transmission, via the second path segment, the first data, along with an entirety of the path segment identifier data structure.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 27, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to, in response to detecting that the updating of the active identifier indicator is required, update the active identifier indicator so that the active identifier indicator designates the second path segment.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 29, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to, based on the second path segment identifier, cause transmission, via the second path segment, the first data, along with only a portion of the path segment identifier data structure based on the header being utilized in a label switching paradigm.

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

32. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 1, comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the current node, cause the current node to operate such that the data is capable of being forwarded by the current node along different path segments based on a state of the network at a time when the first packet is received.

33. A method, comprising:

configuring at least a portion of a plurality of instructions to cause a current node to;

receive an indication of a receipt, via a first path segment, of a first packet that includes a header that is configured for use in identifying a path segment identifier data structure that includes a sequence of path segment identifiers including a first path segment identifier configured for use in identifying the first path segment, a second path segment identifier that identifies a region of a network that does not include the current node and that is configured for use in identifying a next region that does not include the current node and for use in identifying a second path segment at least partially included in a current region that at least partially includes the current node such that the second path segment identifier includes a single identifier that identifies, in an address space having a span in the current region, the next region, and a third path segment identifier configured for use in identifying a third path segment,

detect, using the header of the first packet, the path segment identifier data structure and an active identifier indicator for designating one of the path segment identifiers in the sequence for use by the current node,

determine that the active identifier indicator designates the second path segment identifier for use by the current node, and

based on the second path segment identifier, cause transmission, via the second path segment, of first data, along with at least a portion of the path segment identifier data structure, from the current node to another node at least partially included in the region, such that the another node is capable of processing the at least portion of the path segment identifier data structure, resulting in the third path segment identifier being designated for use by the another node by another active identifier indicator to cause, based on the third path segment identifier, transmission, via the third path segment, the first data, along with at least part of the path segment identifier data structure, from the current node to yet another node; and

causing storage of the at least portion of the instructions on at least one non-transitory memory.

34. The method of claim 33, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to, based on the second path segment identifier, cause transmission, via the second path segment, the first data, along with at least a portion of the path segment identifier data structure based on the header being an Internet Protocol version six (IPv6) network protocol header.

35. The method of claim 33, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the second path segment identifier identifies no particular network interface of the another node.

36. The method of claim 35, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the second path segment identifier includes an Internet Protocol version six (IPv6) prefix identifier and does not include a network interface identifier.

37. The method of claim 36, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the next region includes the another node and includes no node external to the another node.

38. The method of claim 36, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the next region is included in the another node.

39. The method of claim 38, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the yet another node is included in the another node as a virtual node.

40. The method of claim 38, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that at least a portion of the another node is in the current region.

41. The method of claim 38, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that no portion of the another node is in the current region.

42. The method of claim 35, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the another node is included in a plurality of nodes that are each at least partially included in the next region, and the second path identifier identifies no particular node in the plurality of nodes that are each at least partially included in the next region.

43. The method of claim 42, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to:

select a path in a plurality of paths that communicatively couple the current node to each of the nodes in the plurality of nodes that are each at least partially included in the next region, and

cause transmission, via the selected path, of the first data.

44. The method of claim 35, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the another node is included in a plurality of nodes that are each at least partially included in the next region.

45. The method of claim 33, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the single identifier includes an IP address prefix.

46. The method of claim 33, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the single identifier identifies a location in a metric space represented by a table in each node in a plurality of nodes in the address space.

47. The method of claim 33, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that a value of an active segment identifier is mapped to an identical value.

48. The method of claim 33, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the another node is at least partially included in the next region and includes a network interface in that is not in the next region.

49. The method of claim 48, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the network interface is in the current region.

50. The method of claim 49, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the second path identifier is a region scoped identifier.

51. The method of claim 48, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the second path identifier is an outside scope identifier.

52. The method of claim 48, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the network interface is in a region between the current region and the next region.

53. The method of claim 48, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the second path identifier is an outside scope identifier.

54. The method of claim 33, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the another node is entirely within the next region.

55. The method of claim 54, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the second path identifier is a region scope-specific, outside-scoped address.

56. The method of claim 54, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the second path identifier is a region scope-specific identifier.

57. The method of claim 54, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the second path identifier is a region scope-specific, outside-scope identifier.

58. The method of claim 33, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the address space has the span only within the current region.

59. The method of claim 33, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to:

detect whether the active identifier indicator, as received in the header, requires updating; and

in response to detecting that the updating of the active identifier indicator is not required, the determination is performed.

60. The method of claim 59, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to, based on the second path segment identifier, cause transmission, via the second path segment, the first data, along with an entirety of the path segment identifier data structure.

61. The method of claim 59, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to, in response to detecting that the updating of the active identifier indicator is required, update the active identifier indicator so that the active identifier indicator designates the second path segment.

62. The method of claim 61, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to, based on the second path segment identifier, cause transmission, via the second path segment, the first data, along with only a portion of the path segment identifier data structure based on the header being utilized in a label switching paradigm.

63. The method of claim 33, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that a 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.

64. The method of claim 33, comprising further configuring the at least portion of the plurality of instructions to cause the current node to operate such that the data is capable of being forwarded by the current node along different path segments based on a state of the network at a time when the first packet is received.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein at least one of:

the configuring occurs at the current node;

the configuring occurs at a certain node other than the current node;

the configuring and the further configuring occur at the current node;

the configuring and the further configuring occur at a certain node other than the current node;

the configuring occurs at the current node and the further configuring occurs at a certain node other than the current node;

the further configuring occurs at the current node and the configuring occurs at a certain node other than the current node;

only part of the instructions is subject to the configuring;

only the at least portion of the instructions is subject to the configuring;

an entirety of the instructions is subject to the configuring;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring, is also subject to the further configuring;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring, is the same as the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the further configuring;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring, is different from the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the further configuring;

a first part of the at least portion of the instructions is subject to the configuring, and a second part of the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the further configuring;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring is a part thereof that causes the current node to perform the receipt, the detection, the detection, and the transmission causation;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring is a part thereof that causes the current node to perform at least one of the receipt, the detection, the detection, or the transmission causation;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring is not a part thereof that causes the current node to perform the receipt, the detection, the detection, and the transmission causation;

the at least portion of the instructions that is subject to the configuring is a part thereof that causes the current node to perform at least one operation other than the receipt, the detection, the detection, and the transmission causation;

the configuring includes customization;

the configuring includes causing the determination;

the configuring includes causing at least one aspect of the determination;

the configuring includes causing the active identifier indicator to designate the second path segment identifier;

the plurality of the instructions includes a subset of instructions required for the current node to operate;

the plurality of the instructions includes an entirety of instructions required for the current node to operate;

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

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

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

the causing storage includes installation of the at least portion of the instructions;

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

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

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

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

the method further comprises configuring the current node;

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

the method further comprises providing the current node;

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

the method further comprises providing one or more processors;

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

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

the indication of the receipt of the first packet includes a signal that results from receipt of the first packet at an interface of the current node;

the transmission is caused by sending a signal to an interface that, in turn, is caused to transmit the first data;

the header is configured for use in identifying the path segment identifier data structure, by including the path segment identifier data structure;

the header is configured for use in identifying the path segment identifier data structure, by including information that is capable of being used to look up the path segment identifier data structure;

the header is configured for use in identifying the path segment identifier data structure, by including information that is capable of being used to look up the path segment identifier data structure that is not in the header;

the header includes the active identifier indicator;

the header does not include the active identifier indicator;

information is included in the header to look up the active identifier indicator;

the path segment identifier data structure is detected using the header of the first packet, by identifying the path segment identifier data structure in the header;

the path segment identifier data structure is detected using the header of the first packet, by looking up the path segment identifier data structure;

the path segment identifier data structure is detected using the header of the first packet, by looking up the path segment identifier data structure that is stored in a location outside the header of the first packet;

the active identifier indicator includes a current identifier indicator;

the active identifier indicator includes an indication as to which identifier is active;

the active identifier indicator includes an indication as to which identifier is current;

the active identifier indicator includes an indication as to which identifier is currently active;

the first path segment identifier is first in order in the sequence of path segment identifiers;

the second path segment identifier is second in order in the sequence of path segment identifiers;

the third path segment identifier is third in order in the sequence of path segment identifiers;

the first path segment identifier includes a single identifier;

the second path segment identifier includes a single identifier;

the third path segment identifier includes a single identifier;

the first path segment identifier includes a plurality of first identifiers;

the second path segment identifier includes a plurality of second identifiers;

the third path segment identifier includes a plurality of third identifiers;

the first path segment identifier, the second path segment identifier, and the third path segment identifier, are contiguous segment identifiers;

at least two of the first path segment identifier, the second path segment identifier, and the third path segment identifier, are non-contiguous segment identifiers;

the region of the network includes an area of the network;

the region of the network includes a physical area of the network;

the region of the network includes a virtual area of the network;

the at least portion of the path segment identifier data structure is the same as the at least part of the path segment identifier data structure;

the at least portion of the path segment identifier data structure is different from the at least part of the path segment identifier data structure;

the at least part of the path segment identifier data structure is a subset of the at least portion of the path segment identifier data structure;

the at least portion of the path segment identifier data structure and the at least part of the path segment identifier data structure do not include the first path segment identifier;

the at least part of the path segment identifier data structure does not include the first path segment identifier nor the second path segment identifier;

the active identifier indicator is determined to designate the second path segment identifier for use by the current node, by determining that the active identifier indicator indicates the second path segment identifier;

the active identifier indicator is determined to designate the second path segment identifier for use by the current node, by determining that the active identifier indicator points to the second path segment identifier;

the another node includes a path node;

the yet another node includes a path node;

the yet another node includes a receiving node;

the another node is only partially included in the region;

the another node is completely included in the region;

the yet another node is at least partially included in the region;

the yet another node is completely outside the region;

the another node is capable of processing the at least portion of the path segment identifier data structure, by receiving the same;

the third path segment identifier results in being designated for use by the another node by the another active identifier indicator, as a result of the processing;

the third path segment identifier results in being designated for use by the another node by the another active identifier indicator, as a result of other processing by the current node;

the region does not include the current node, by not including an entirety of the current node;

the region does not include the current node, by not including a portion of the current node;

the region does not include the current node, by not including only a portion of the current node;

the next region does not include the current node, by not including an entirety of the current node;

the next region does not include the current node, by not including a portion of the current node;

the next region does not include the current node, by not including only a portion of the current node;

the address space has the span only in the current region;

the address space has the span within the current region;

the address space has the span only within the current region;

the second path segment is only partially included in the current region;

the second path segment is completely included in the current region;

the current region only partially includes the current node;

the current region completely includes the current node;

the single identifier includes a single component;

the single identifier includes a plurality of components that are used together to identify the next region;

the active identifier indicator and the another active identifier indicator have different values;

the active identifier indicator and the another active identifier indicator have the same value;

the active identifier indicator and the another active identifier indicator are capable of having the same value or different values;

the active identifier indicator and the another active identifier indicator are different instances of active identifier indicators;

the active identifier indicator and the another active identifier indicator different only in terms of a particular path segment identifier that is designated;

the active identifier indicator and the another active identifier indicator have the same structure or configuration;

the active identifier indicator and the another active identifier indicator have a first component with a same structure or configuration, and a second component with a different structure or configuration;

or

the active identifier indicator and the another active identifier indicator have a different structure or configuration.

66. A current node, comprising:

means for receiving an indication of a receipt, via a first path segment, of a first packet that includes a header that is configured for use in identifying a path segment identifier data structure that includes a sequence of path segment identifiers including a first path segment identifier configured for use in identifying the first path segment, a second path segment identifier that identifies a region of a network that does not include the current node and that is configured for use in identifying a next region that does not include the current node and for use in identifying a second path segment at least partially included in a current region that at least partially includes the current node such that the second path segment identifier includes a single identifier that identifies, in an address space having a span in the current region, the next region, and a third path segment identifier configured for use in identifying a third path segment;

means for;

detecting, using the header of the first packet, the path segment identifier data structure and an active identifier indicator for designating one of the path segment identifiers in the sequence for use by the current node, and

determining that the active identifier indicator designates the second path segment identifier for use by the current node; and

means for, based on the second path segment identifier, causing transmission, via the second path segment, of first data, along with at least a portion of the path segment identifier data structure, from the current node to another node at least partially included in the region, such that the another node is capable of processing the at least portion of the path segment identifier data structure, resulting in the third path segment identifier being designated for use by the another node by another active identifier indicator to cause, based on the third path segment identifier, transmission, via the third path segment, the first data, along with at least part of the path segment identifier data structure, from the current node to yet another node.