Patent ID: 8351429
Filing Date: 2013-01-08
Classification: H04L,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method in which a network element performs operations providing fast reroute of a packet that may be forwarded on one of a plurality of Equal Cost Multi Path (ECMP) routes through a network, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a unicast packet by a Forwarding Data Unit (FDU) in a data plane of a network element, wherein said unicast packet is routed at L3, and wherein ECMP is enabled for a next hop for said unicast packet; selecting an ECMP route for forwarding the packet to a destination port; performing a lookup in a port state table maintained by the FDU to determine an available local port for said ECMP route that is in an UP state for the destination, and if no local port is UP, then performing a lookup in the port state table to determine an available remote port that is in an UP state for the selected ECMP route; and if no available port is determined for the selected ECMP route, selecting another ECMP route if another ECMP route is available and repeating said performing the lookup in the port state table until a port is found for the packet.