Patent ID: 8526446
Filing Date: 2013-09-03
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A network system for routing Internet Protocol (IP) traffic between a source site and a destination site, comprising: a plurality of discrete data transmission backbones between the source and destination sites; wherein the source site comprises a first Clos matrix of switches configured to selectively distribute IP traffic across the plurality of discrete data transmission backbones for transmission to the destination site and to perform routing control functions for a peering edge common to each discrete data transmission backbone; wherein the destination site comprises a second Clos matrix of switches configured to selectively distribute IP traffic received over the plurality of discrete data transmission backbones and to perform routing control functions for a plurality of peering edges, wherein each peering edge is in communication with the network via a single discrete data transmission backbone; wherein one of the plurality of discrete transmission backbones includes an N×M IP-implemented Clos matrix of Ethernet switches, wherein N>2 is the number of stages in the matrix and M>1 is the number of switches in each stage, and wherein the M switches of the first and last stages are Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) switches and the M switches of at least one stage between the first and last stages are Ethernet switches; and a load balancing process for balancing the flow of traffic between two or more switches of each of the stages of the N×M Clos matrix.