Patent ID: 8289982

Claim:
A router comprising: a processor; a plurality of interfaces; a network routing table specifying a plurality of virtual circuits forming an overlay network through a base network; wherein the router operates as an ingress router for the overlay network, wherein the router receives a communication from an egress router that includes information corresponding to a local destination subnet associated with the egress router, wherein the router is configured to include the information in the network routing table, and wherein the router validates a route through the base network to the destination local subnet listed in the network routing table by: (i) generating a plurality of addresses within the destination local subnet, (ii) sending a list of the addresses to the egress router to direct the egress router to monitor for diagnostic probe packets associated with the addresses, (iii) transmitting at least one probe packet to one or more of the addresses, and (iv) receiving confirmation of detection from the egress router.