Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a first network device, messages from a plurality of network devices in a network, each of the messages indicating a level value of a respective sending network device in a network topology, determining, by the first network device and based on the respective levels indicated by the messages, a level value of the first network device in the network topology, determining, by the first network device and based on the determined level value, a mechanism by which to forward network traffic to one or more of the plurality of network devices, and forwarding the network traffic according to the determined mechanism.

Abstract: In one example, a merge point network device (MP) receives a plurality of resource reservation request messages for establishing a plurality of label switched paths (LSPs), wherein each of the plurality of LSPs has a common point of local repair network device (PLR) and has the MP as a common MP, wherein each of the resource reservation request messages identifies a common bypass tunnel that extends between the PLR and the MP and avoids a protected resource. The MP stores an association between the bypass tunnel and each of the plurality of LSPs. The MP receives a single message to trigger creation at the merge point network device of backup LSP state information for all of the plurality of LSPs. In response to receiving the single message, the MP installs state information for all of the LSPs that correspond to the bypass tunnel according to the stored association.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a first network device, messages from a plurality of network devices in a network, each of the messages indicating a level value of a respective sending network device in a network topology, determining, by the first network device and based on the respective levels indicated by the messages, a level value of the first network device in the network topology, determining, by the first network device and based on the determined level value, a mechanism by which to forward network traffic to one or more of the plurality of network devices, and forwarding the network traffic according to the determined mechanism.

Abstract: In one example, a merge point network device (MP) receives a plurality of resource reservation request messages for establishing a plurality of label switched paths (LSPs), wherein each of the plurality of LSPs has a common point of local repair network device (PLR) and has the MP as a common MP, wherein each of the resource reservation request messages identifies a common bypass tunnel that extends between the PLR and the MP and avoids a protected resource. The MP stores an association between the bypass tunnel and each of the plurality of LSPs. The MP receives a single message to trigger creation at the merge point network device of backup LSP state information for all of the plurality of LSPs. In response to receiving the single message, the MP installs state information for all of the LSPs that correspond to the bypass tunnel according to the stored association.

Abstract: In some examples, a network device of a network comprises a first component configured to store a plurality of next hop instructions corresponding to respective logical or physical network structures of the network. The network device also comprises a second component configured to send, to the first component, a message that identifies an association of the plurality of next hop instructions, wherein the first component is further configured to modify, in response to receiving the message, each of the plurality of next hop instructions.

Abstract: Network devices can use maximally redundant trees (MRTs) for delivering traffic streams across a network, and for transitioning traffic to a new set of MRTs after a topology change, without dropping traffic. The disclosure describes distributed computation of a set of MRTs from one or more ingress devices to one or more egress devices of the network. In one example, network devices in a network compute a set of MRTs, and establish a set of LSPs along the paths of the set of MRTs. After a change to the network topology, convergence sequencing is managed by a central controller, which centrally orchestrates the sequence for moving traffic from being sent on the old MRT paths to being sent on newly computed MRT paths after the controller determines that all new MRT forwarding state has been installed on the network devices.

Abstract: A centralized controller provides dynamic end-to-end network path setup across multiple network layers. In particular, the centralized controller manages end-to-end network path setup that provisions a path at both the transport network layer (e.g., optical) and the service network layer (e.g., IP/MPLS). The centralized controller performs path computation for an optical path at the transport network layer and for a path at the service network layer that transports network traffic on the underlying optical transport path, based on information obtained by the centralized controller from the underlying network components at both layers.

Abstract: A centralized controller provides dynamic end-to-end network path setup across multiple network layers. In particular, the centralized controller manages end-to-end network path setup that provisions a path at both the transport network layer (e.g., optical) and the service network layer (e.g., IP/MPLS). The centralized controller performs path computation for an optical path at the transport network layer and for a path at the service network layer that transports network traffic on the underlying optical transport path, based on information obtained by the centralized controller from the underlying network components at both layers.