Network data routing protection cycles for automatic protection switching
US6535481B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L45/03
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer network processes data packets in the event of a network link failure. The network includes a plurality of routers that deliver data packets to the network via a plurality of links. At least one router includes a protection cycle manager. The protection cycle manager has a protection cycle packet identifier and a protection cycle packet processor. The protection cycle packet identifier identifies, as protection cycle packets, data packets having a specific protection cycle format. The protection cycle packet processor processes protection cycle packets to determine whether the packet destination corresponds to the routing node, and if the packet destination corresponds to the routing node, the protection cycle packet is treated by the routing node as a data packet received from the packet source via the failed link. Otherwise, if the packet destination does not correspond to the routing node, the protection cycle packet is sent to a protection cycle node for the routing node.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.