Patent ID: 7564844

Claim:
A network device comprising: logic to: receive a datagram including a header, determine a first identifier and a second identifier for the received datagram based on the header, the first identifier identifying a plurality of destination routes and the second identifier identifying a stream with which the received datagram is associated, identify a first destination route of the plurality of destination routes based on the first and second identifiers determine whether the first destination route is in an inhibition state, and select one of the identified first destination route or, when the identified destination route is determined to be in the inhibition state, a second destination route of the plurality of destination routes based on the first and second identifiers, for transfer of the received datagram based on pre-stored data, where the selection of the second destination route is made without changing at least one of the first or second identifiers; and an output unit selector to transfer the datagram from the network device based on a result of the selection.