Patent ID: 7986640
Filing Date: 2011-07-26
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A network device for efficiently determining acceptable link-based loop free alternates (LFAs) in a computer network to protect a protected element, the network device comprising: one or more network interfaces; a processor coupled to the one or more network interfaces and configured to execute an LFA process; and a memory configured to store the LFA process executable by the processor, the LFA process configured to: i) distinguish one or more other network devices of the network as network edge devices or network core devices, ii) determine whether a branch, of a shortest path tree (SPT) rooted at a neighboring network device, that includes the protected element, leads toward a network edge device, and iii) if the branch, of the SPT rooted at the neighboring network device, that includes the protected element, does not lead toward a network edge device, determine that the neighboring network device is an acceptable LFA.