Abstract: The subject technology provides configurations for receiving, at a first network device, a multicast packet of a multicast transmission from a multicast source. A header is inserted including one or more fields of information for a multicast distribution tree into the multicast packet in which the fields of information include a root level node field indicating a root node of the multicast distribution tree and one or more second level fields indicating one or more child nodes of the root node of the multicast distribution tree. In one example, the fields of information are not duplicative of routing information, stored by the first network device, corresponding to the one or more child nodes. The subject technology then forwards the multicast packet including the inserted header to respective network devices corresponding to the one or more child nodes based on the one or more fields of information from the inserted header.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a storage medium provide for receiving packets; determining a traffic flow rate value pertaining to the packets; comparing the traffic flow rate value to a flow rate threshold value; selecting one or more candidate paths that are not bandwidth-aware; calculating a current available bandwidth for each of the one or more candidate paths; selecting one or more of the one or more candidate paths based on the traffic flow rate value and the current available bandwidth; and transmitting the packets to a destination via the one or more of the one or more candidate paths.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a storage medium provide for storing traffic policies pertaining to egress traffic to a network; receiving a traffic flow; computing a route for the traffic flow; identifying at least one of one or more labels associated with the traffic flow or a network address associated with a remote provider edge device associated with the traffic flow; selecting one or more traffic policies in response to at least one of an identification of the one or more labels or an identification of the network address; and transmitting along the route in the network according to the one or more traffic policies.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a storage medium provide for storing an extended forwarding information base that includes path values that indicate paths to route traffic, wherein the paths include optimal and sub-optimal paths based on a shortest path metric; receiving a traffic flow; inspecting the traffic flow; selecting a next hop and one of the path values associated with the next hop based on the inspecting; identifying one or more paths to route the traffic flow in accordance with one or more paths indicated by the one of the path values; and transmitting the traffic flow along the one or more paths toward a destination.

Abstract: The subject technology provides configurations for receiving, at a first network device, a multicast packet of a multicast transmission from a multicast source. A header is inserted including one or more fields of information for a multicast distribution tree into the multicast packet in which the fields of information include a root level node field indicating a root node of the multicast distribution tree and one or more second level fields indicating one or more child nodes of the root node of the multicast distribution tree. In one example, the fields of information are not duplicative of routing information, stored by the first network device, corresponding to the one or more child nodes. The subject technology then forwards the multicast packet including the inserted header to respective network devices corresponding to the one or more child nodes based on the one or more fields of information from the inserted header.

Abstract: An approach is provided for improving network restoration by enhancing loop free alternative coverage. A loop-free alternate (LFA) procedure is initiated for a failed link of a network including a plurality of nodes. A state of incomplete loop-free alternate coverage for the nodes is determined. A shortest path in the network exclusive of the nodes associated with the failed link is determined. Each node along the determined shortest path is set as an explicit route object to create a bypass label switched path for the network.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a storage medium provide for storing an extended forwarding information base that includes path values that indicate paths to route traffic, wherein the paths include optimal and sub-optimal paths based on a shortest path metric; receiving a traffic flow; inspecting the traffic flow; selecting a next hop and one of the path values associated with the next hop based on the inspecting; identifying one or more paths to route the traffic flow in accordance with one or more paths indicated by the one of the path values; and transmitting the traffic flow along the one or more paths toward a destination.

Abstract: A method including receiving a multicast packet to route to a next multicast hop; determining that the next multicast hop is not available; performing unicast encapsulation to the multicast packet to generate a unicast-encapsulated multicast packet; and sending the unicast-encapsulated multicast packet, as a unicast transmission, via an alternate path relative to a multicast path, to the next multicast hop, wherein the alternate path is a unicast path to the next multicast hop.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a storage medium provide for storing traffic policies pertaining to egress traffic to a network; receiving a traffic flow; computing a route for the traffic flow; identifying at least one of one or more labels associated with the traffic flow or a network address associated with a remote provider edge device associated with the traffic flow; selecting one or more traffic policies in response to at least one of an identification of the one or more labels or an identification of the network address; and transmitting along the route in the network according to the one or more traffic policies.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a storage medium provide for receiving packets; determining a traffic flow rate value pertaining to the packets; comparing the traffic flow rate value to a flow rate threshold value; selecting one or more candidate paths that are not bandwidth-aware; calculating a current available bandwidth for each of the one or more candidate paths; selecting one or more of the one or more candidate paths based on the traffic flow rate value and the current available bandwidth; and transmitting the packets to a destination via the one or more of the one or more candidate paths.

Abstract: An approach is provided for enabling fast network restoration. A node, within a network of multiple protocol label switching (MPLS) nodes, detects a failure condition affecting the node. A micro-loop with a neighboring node of the affected node is detected. A label is determined for a subsequent hop from the neighboring node to break the micro-loop for redirecting of traffic to a destination node in the network, wherein the subsequent hop does not create a loop with respect to the affected node.

Abstract: An approach is provided for improving network restoration by enhancing loop free alternative coverage. A loop-free alternate (LFA) procedure is initiated for a failed link of a network including a plurality of nodes. A state of incomplete loop-free alternate coverage for the nodes is determined. A shortest path in the network exclusive of the nodes associated with the failed link is determined. Each node along the determined shortest path is set as an explicit route object to create a bypass label switched path for the network.

Abstract: A method including receiving a multicast packet to route to a next multicast hop; determining that the next multicast hop is not available; performing unicast encapsulation to the multicast packet to generate a unicast-encapsulated multicast packet; and sending the unicast-encapsulated multicast packet, as a unicast transmission, via an alternate path relative to a multicast path, to the next multicast hop, wherein the alternate path is a unicast path to the next multicast hop.

Abstract: An approach is provided for enabling fast network restoration. A node, within a network of multiple protocol label switching (MPLS) nodes, detects a failure condition affecting the node. A micro-loop with a neighboring node of the affected node is detected. A label is determined for a subsequent hop from the neighboring node to break the micro-loop for redirecting of traffic to a destination node in the network, wherein the subsequent hop does not create a loop with respect to the affected node.