Patent ID: 8456982
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: detecting, at a node within a network of multiple protocol label switching (MPLS) nodes, a failure condition affecting the node; detecting a micro-loop with a neighboring node of the affected node; determining a label of a destination of a subsequent hop from the neighboring node to break the micro-loop for redirecting of traffic to a destination node in the network, wherein the subsequent hop does not create a loop with respect to the affected node and is determined to satisfy a predetermined threshold value; generating a first MPLS label specifying the neighboring node as a destination from the affected node; and generating a second MPLS label specifying the destination node of the subsequent hop from the neighboring node to break the micro-loop, wherein the labels are included in a stack of labels created for a packet being forwarded from the affected node to the neighboring node, wherein the stack is comprised of the first MPLS label, which is a normal label used from the affected node to the neighboring node, on top of the second MPLS label, which specifies a destination of the subsequent hop from the neighboring node, and wherein, when the packet containing the created stack reaches the destination of the neighboring node from the affected node, the first MPLS label is taken out and the second MPLS label is left on top of the stack of labels and the packet will be forwarded by the second label to the destination of the subsequent hop.