Patent ID: 7898985
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: constructing a first composite next hop that comprises a plurality of next hops used for forwarding data units towards one or more network destinations, where each of the plurality of next hops represents an action to be taken on a first data unit as the first data unit transits a network device or represents another composite next hop, and where the first composite next hop specifies a first function to be performed on the plurality of next hops; storing a reference to the first composite next hop in one of multiple entries of a forwarding table; storing next hop addresses in other entries of the multiple entries of the forwarding table; receiving a second data unit; and using the forwarding table to forward the second data unit towards the one or more network destinations based on the first composite next hop or one of the next hop addresses, where the using the forwarding table to forward the second data unit comprises: