Patent ID: 7969992

Claim:
A method for routing data packets comprising: providing a database comprising: a first set of identifiers, wherein each identifier in the first set is associated with a different geographic area, wherein at least one identifier in the first set is further associated with a direct link to at least one other geographic area; a second set of identifiers, wherein each identifier in the second set is associated with a different autonomous system; and one or more associations between at least one identifier in the first set and at least one identifier in the second set; determining a source autonomous system identifier and a destination autonomous system identifier associated with at least one data packet; referencing the database using the source autonomous system identifier and the destination autonomous system identifier to: determine a first geographic area and a second geographic area associated with the at least one data packet; and determine whether a direct link exists between the first geographic area and the second geographic area; and if a direct link exists, selecting a route for routing the at least one data packet that comprises the direct link.