Patent ID: 6487177
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for enhancing communications efficiency in a data communication network, said method comprising the steps of:routing a first set of data through one or more subnetworks on a first network level that implements a network protocol for routing said data along a first data path; defining one or more alternate data paths on a second level of said one or more subnetworks for routing data utilizing different criteria than that utilized by said network protocol; designating that a second set of data travel on the one or more alternate data paths said designating step including tagging at least one data unit relative to a specific alternate data path; passing received data to a higher level processing entity when said data has not been tagged for forwarding along said one or more alternate paths, wherein tagged data are automatically held for forwarding at said second level; and routing said second set of data on said one or more alternate data paths, wherein data not designated to travel on said one or more alternate data paths are routed on said first data path.