US5881246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for generating explicit routing advertisements to specify a selected path through a connectionless network to a destination by a specific router
Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC
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Filing: 1996-06-12
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Granted: 1999-03-09
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Expires: 2016-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A system for providing explicit routing functions in a connectionless network. A specific router selects a path through the connectionless network to a destination. Explicit routing advertisements are generated by the specific router and contain information regarding the selected path. Routing state is installed according to information contained in the explicit routing advertisements. The explicit routing advertisements are forwarded to each next hop router. Each next hop router installs routing state, generates the explicit routing advertisement, and forwards the explicit routing advertisement to further propagate the routing information.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric S. Crawley
- 👤 Zhaohui Zhang
- 👤 William M. Salkewicz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:52
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L45/00; H04L45/02; H04L45/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for providing explicit routing functions in a connectionless network, said method comprising the steps of: selecting a path through said network to a destination, said path selected by a specific router; generating explicit routing advertisements (ERAs) containing information regarding said selected path, said ERAs generated by said specific router; installing a routing state according to information contained in said ERAs; forwarding said ERAs to each next hop router; and repeatedly installing routing state, generating said ERAs, and forwarding said ERAs to other routers along the path until all routers on the path have installed routing state.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for providing explicit routing functions in a connectionless network, said method comprising the steps of: selecting a path through said network to a destination, said path selected by a specific router; generating explicit routing advertisements (ERAs) containing information regarding said selected path, said ERAs generated by said specific router; installing a routing state according to information contained in said ERAs; forwarding said ERAs to each next hop router; and repeatedly installing routing state, generating said ERAs, and forwarding said ERAs to other routers along the path until all routers on the path have installed routing state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said ERAs include an encoded distribution tree generated by said specific router.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said ERAs include an offset value to identify certain portions of said encoded distribution tree.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said ERAs include an adjust offset value and a child offset value to identify certain portions of said encoded distribution tree.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 wherein each next hop router changes an offset value in a received ERA to identify relevant portions of said encoded distribution tree for all routers on the path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of flushing said installed routing states when said path is no longer needed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the step of flushing said installed routing states includes forwarding a flushing ERA along said path.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for providing an explicit route to a destination in a connectionless network, said method comprising the steps of: a) selecting a path through said network to said destination, said path selected by a specific router; b) generating an explicit routing advertisement (ERA) for said specific router, said ERA containing information regarding said selected path; c) generating a next hop ERA for each next hop router and forwarding said ERA to its associated next hop router; d) installing a routing state in said next hop router according to information contained in said next hop router ERA; and e) repeating steps c) and d) until all routers on the path have installed routing state.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for providing an explicit route to a destination in a connectionless network, said method comprising the steps of: a) selecting a path through said network to said destination, said path selected by a specific router; b) generating an explicit routing advertisement (ERA) for said specific router, said ERA containing information regarding said selected path; c) generating a next hop ERA for each next hop router and forwarding said ERA to its associated next hop router; d) installing a routing state in said next hop router according to information contained in said next hop router ERA; and e) repeating steps c) and d) until all routers on the path have installed routing state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said ERAs include an encoded distribution tree generated by said specific router.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said ERAs further include an offset value to identify certain portions of said encoded distribution tree.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said ERAs include an adjust offset value and a child offset value to identify certain portions of said encoded distribution tree.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 9 wherein each next hop router changes an offset value in a received next hop ERA to identify relevant portions of said encoded distribution tree for all routers on the path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 further including the step of flushing said installed routing states when said path is no longer needed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of flushing said installed routing states includes forwarding a flushing ERA along said path.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-08 | 2002-09-07 | 2003-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-08 | 2006-09-07 | 2007-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-08 | 2010-09-07 | 2011-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |