Patent · US Active

Selecting among multiple concurrently active paths through a network

US9276861B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
45References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 15, 2014
Grant dateMar 1, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 15, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L47/125
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and systems for selecting among multiple concurrently active paths through a network are provided. According to one embodiment, a method is performed by a network interface of a source node within a loop-free, reverse-path-learning network. The network is divided into multiple virtual networks. A packet destined for a destination node and specifying an address for the destination or including information from which the address can be derived is received from the source. A set of virtual networks that can be used to transport the packet from the source node to the destination node is determined. Each virtual network in the set of virtual networks provides a different path through the network from the source to the destination. A particular virtual network from the set of virtual networks is selected, thereby effectively selecting a particular path from multiple selectable paths between the source and the destination.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.