Patent ID: 8170022
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for receiving packets at a node, the node being a destination point associated with a plurality of equal cost paths, the plurality of equal cost paths including a first path and a second path, the method comprising: obtaining a first packet, the first packet having a first payload that includes at least one indicator that identifies at least one element traversed by the first packet along the first path, the first payload further including at least one timestamp associated with the at least one element traversed by the first packet, the at least one element including a first element, the at least one timestamp including an ingress timestamp and an egress timestamp, the ingress timestamp identifying a first time the first element received the first packet, the egress timestamp identifying a second time the first element transmitted the first packet; determining at least one network characteristic associated with the first path, the at least one network characteristic associated with the first path being determined using the at least one timestamp associated with the at least one element traversed by the first packet; obtaining a second packet, the second packet having a second payload that includes at least one indicator that identifies at least one element traversed by the second packet along the second path, the second payload further including at least one timestamp associated with the at least one element traversed by the second packet; and determining at least one network characteristic associated with the second path, the at least one network characteristic associated with the second path being determined using the at least one timestamp associated with the at least one element traversed by the second packet.