Patent ID: 9100266
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A tangible and non-transient computer readable storage medium for storing instructions which, when executed by a processor at a forwarding element (FE), perform a method, comprising: routing packets according to a routing protocol process via a routing path associated with an active control element (CE) dynamically bound to the FE, said FE and any CE, including at least said active CE and at least one backup CE comprising different network elements running a common instance of said routing protocol process, wherein said active CE and said FE are separated by multiple hops and said FE discovering said active CE using a softrouter architecture discovery protocol to become dynamically bound and maintain said dynamic binding and said routing path using a load balancing of the active CE serving a plurality of FEs including said FE; processing protocol messages associated with the routing protocol process according to a protocol overlay process, said protocol overlay process comprising: