Communications network system using full-juncture and partial-juncture station status information for alternate-path distance-vector routing

摘要

Apparatus and method for routing messages in a communications network having a plurality of communications stations interconnected by a plurality of communication links, and having at least one destination station. Each communications station informs each neighboring communications station of the distance between itself and the destination station. Each communications station stores information identifying a first neighboring station through which it has a primary path to the destination station. The primary path is the shortest of all possible paths to the destination station. Each communications station that is connected to the destination station by at least one alternate path stores information identifying a second neighboring station through which it has an alternate path to the destination station.