Path resolution for hierarchical load distribution

摘要

Network devices perform multiple stage path resolution. The path resolution may be ECMP resolution. Any particular stage of the multiple stage path resolution may be skipped under certain conditions. Further, the network device facilitate redistribution of traffic when a next hop goes down in a fast, efficient manner, and without reassigning traffic that was going to other unaffected next hops, using multiple stage ECMP resolution.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
providing, for a first layer of an overly network, a first stage of path resolution for forwarding a packet toward a destination; and providing a second stage of path resolution following the first stage; and receiving in the second stage an intermediate path resolution output from the first stage, the first stage and second stage configured to sequentially determine a next hop for the packet.