Patent ID: 6473405
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: F25B,H04L

Abstract:
A method for selecting a path from a dynamic router to a destination, the method comprising:selecting a default path for transmitting data from a dynamic router to a destination by using one or more existing routing mechanisms of a communications network; receiving real-time traffic information, wherein receiving real-time traffic information is distinct from deriving paths using one or more existing routing mechanisms; characterizing real-time traffic information to obtain a first cost associated with an alternative path for transmitting data to the destination; providing an indication that a received packet having a source field and a destination field should be transmitted to the destination by using the alternative path when the first cost is less than a second cost associated the default path, wherein disregarding the selection of the default path allows the path from a dynamic router to the destination to be dynamically selected in a network where the destination field in the received packet is used by nodes in the default and alternative paths to forward the received packet toward the destination.