Patent ID: 6374303
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method of increasing the efficiency of routing data packets between multiple routers in a network by adding a simple routing label to data packets being routed through said routers, said routing label being used to route said data packets between adjacent routers in said network that can handle said routing labels as well as conventional address labels that are attached to said data packets, said method comprising the steps of:determining at each of said routers that can handle routing labels which adjacent routers in said network can place and process said routing labels on said data packets; specifying at a first router of said routers that can handle routing labels, if required, a first portion of said routing label to be bound to and used to route each data packet that is originating at or passing through said first router to an adjacent one of said routers that handle routing labels; sending said first portion of said routing label originating at said first router to said adjacent one of said routers that can handle routing labels to request a first label bind thereat; specifying at one of said adjacent one of said routers, if required, a second portion of said routing label to be bound to and used to route each data packet that is originating at or passing through said first router and being directed to said adjacent one of said label routing routers; sending said second portion of said routing label originating at said adjacent one of said label routing routers to said first router to be inserted into said routing label and used to route said data packet to said adjacent one of said label routing routers; and said routing labels being used by said adjacent label routing routers in lieu of conventional address headers to route data packets through said network; and by using said routing labels said last mentioned routers have more flexibility in routing data packets through said network and can use network links between said last mentioned routers that normally carry less traffic.