Selecting among multiple concurrently active paths through a network
US9825866B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 2015 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2036 |
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 network device within a loop-free, reverse-path-learning network. The network is divided into multiple virtual local area networks (VLANs). Network traffic destined for a destination network device 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 VLANs that can be used to transport the packet from the source to the destination is determined. Each VLAN in the set of VLANs is associated with a different path through the network from the source to the destination. A particular VLAN from the set of VLANs 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.