Patent ID: 9258208
Filing Date: 2016-02-09
CPC Classification: H04L

Claim Text:
1. A method comprising: creating, in a computing network, a hierarchal network layer routing topology for reaching a destination according to a network layer routing protocol, the hierarchal network layer routing topology comprising supernodes including a single parent supernode providing reachability to the destination, and a plurality of child supernodes, each supernode comprising a plurality of network devices interconnected by intra-cluster data links according to a corresponding link layer topology of the corresponding supernode and wherein in each child supernode one or more of the network devices operate as one or more exit network devices each providing the corresponding child supernode a corresponding inter-cluster data link to one of the parent supernode or another child supernode; receiving, in one of the child supernodes from a distinct one of the child supernodes via the corresponding inter-cluster data link, a data packet for delivery to the destination according to the network layer routing protocol; causing the data packet to traverse along a sequence of two or more of any distinct available intra-cluster data links in the one child supernode independent of any network layer routing topology established by the network devices in the one child supernode, until the data packet reaches one of the exit network devices; the one exit network device forwarding the data packet to the parent supernode in response to receipt thereof, via the corresponding inter-cluster data link; and, the parent supernode delivering the data packet toward the destination, in response to receipt thereof, according to the network layer routing protocol.