Patent ID: 7453807
Filing Date: 2008-11-18
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a network node, comprising: receiving a stream of data packets from a source via an intermediate network node and forwarding the data packets to their respective destinations; performing a reverse rate limiting process to determine whether a packet flow rate of the stream of data packets exceeds a predetermined flow rate threshold; and depending on at least in part a result of the reverse rate limiting process, initiating a switch over process to cause additional data packets from the source to be routed along a network path that does not include the intermediate network node; wherein the reverse rate limiting process comprises: duplicating the stream of data packets; dropping the duplicated stream of data packets if the packet flow rate of the duplicated stream of data packets is below or equal to the predetermined flow rate threshold; and forwarding the duplicated stream of data packets to a processing unit of the network node if the packet flow rate exceeds the predetermined flow rate threshold.