Patent ID: 7986618
Filing Date: 2011-07-26
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a selected node to distinguish between failure of a link connected to said selected node and failure of a neighboring node connected to said selected node through said link, said method comprising: pre-configuring an alternate path from said selected node to said neighboring node, said alternate path not including said link; upon detection of a failure of communication from said neighboring node via said link, using said alternate path to verify operation of said neighboring node and determine whether said neighboring node or said link has failed; and rerouting traffic based on whether said neighboring node or said link has failed; wherein determining whether said neighboring node or said link has failed and rerouting traffic comprises: wherein said backup tunnel configured to protect said neighboring node comprises bandwidth to cover failure of said neighboring node and said backup tunnel configured to protect said link comprises bandwidth to cover failure of said link and wherein at least one of said backup tunnels does not comprise bandwidth to cover failure of said neighboring node and said link.