Patent ID: 7333827
Filing Date: 2008-02-19
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a node within a communication network, the network comprising a plurality of nodes interconnected by communication links, the nodes being of a radius-restricted type, which support dissemination of topology information for a restricted distance within the network, and of a non radius-restricted type, which do not support the propagation of topology information for a restricted distance within the network, the method comprising: receiving a topology advertisement from another node of the network which provides information about a part of the network; determining if the topology advertisement was sent by a node which supports radius-restricted dissemination of topology information; selecting a mode of operation to interwork with said another node dependent on the determination, the node being operable in: a radius-restricted mode, in which the node includes a metric indicative of the aggregate path travelled by a topology advertisement when interacting with said another node; or a non radius-restricted mode, in which the node does not include a metric indicative of the aggregate path travelled by a topology advertisement when interacting with said another node.