Patent ID: 7929451
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A switch that performs packet forwarding processing based on a label for a connection in which a communication path is specified by the label, the switch comprising: a receiving unit that receives a packet including loopback information with a label of a first layer used for packet forwarding for a first connection from an adjacent apparatus forming the first connection with the switch, the loopback information comprising a destination identifier that identifies a return point of the packet; and a packet processing unit that transmits, when the destination identifier does not correspond to the switch, a first loopback packet that is the received packet to which is added a label of a second layer used for packet forwarding for a second connection to an adjacent apparatus forming the second connection with the switch, the second connection being that of an upper layer of the first connection, and also transmits a second loopback packet that is the received packet having the label of the first layer replaced by the label of the second layer.