Patent ID: 6973102

Claim:
A method for providing jitter reduction in a data network that uses a Strict Source route option, including an internet protocol (IP) destination address for information packets, the data network having ingress Border Routers (Edge Nodes), egress Border Routers and at least one intermediate router, the method comprising the steps of: each ingress Border Router (or Edge Node) recognizing data packets with firm jitter requirements and forwarding them to certain fastest and shortest paths based on the IP destination address of each data packet; enabling the ingress Border Router (or Edge Node)which classifies a data packet with firm jitter requirements for the IP destination address of which it has no entry, to insert a list of router addresses that identify the selected shortest and fastest path in the Strict Source Routing IP option; using all intermediate routers which receive a data packet with the Strict Source Routing IP option for forwarding the packet to a next hop address specified in the IP option, the next hop address remaining in a forwarding cache table of the routers; routing all subsequent packets that have the same IP destination address to follow the same path that the first packet has followed, while ensuring that all said subsequent packets will have their strict source route option turned off; and periodically updating the selected shortest and fastest path.