Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises creating, in a computing network, a loop-free routing topology comprising a plurality of routing arcs for reaching a destination device, each routing arc routing any network traffic along the routing arc toward the destination device via any one of first or second ends of the corresponding routing arc, the creating including forming a buttressing arc having an originating end joined to a first of the routing arcs and a terminating end joined to a second of the routing arcs, the buttressing arc inheriting from the first routing arc a first height to the destination device, the first height of the first routing arc higher than a corresponding second height of the second routing arc; and causing the network traffic to be forwarded, to the destination device, via the buttressing arc and at least one of the first routing arc or the second routing arc.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises creating, in a computing network, a loop-free routing topology comprising a plurality of routing arcs for reaching a destination device, each routing arc comprising a first network device as a first end of the routing arc, a second network device as a second end of the routing arc, and at least a third network device configured for routing any network traffic along the routing arc toward the destination device via any one of the first or second ends of the routing arc; and load balancing the network traffic along the routing arcs based on traffic metrics obtained at the first and second ends of the routing arcs, including selectively sending a backpressure command to a first one of the routing arcs supplying at least a portion of the network traffic to a congested one of the routing arcs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of network site interfaces in communication with two or more networks, each of the networks associated with a different Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) instance, and a processor configured for mapping the VRF instances to an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) adjacency and transmitting VRF information on the IGP adjacency along with a VRF identifier indicating the network associated with the VRF information. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises creating, in a computing network, a loop-free routing topology comprising a plurality of routing arcs for reaching a destination device, each routing arc comprising a first network device as a first end of the routing arc, a second network device as a second end of the routing arc, and at least a third network device configured for routing any network traffic along the routing arc toward the destination device via any one of the first or second ends of the routing arc; and causing the network traffic to be forwarded along at least one of the routing arcs to the destination device.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, control packets are received through a control plane tunnel that communicates control traffic for virtual private networks (VPNs) among autonomous systems. A routing instance of each control packet is identified according to a control tag of the control packet. At least two routing instances are distinct from each other. The control packets are routed according to the routing instances. According to certain embodiments, data packets are received through a data plane tunnel that communicates data traffic for the VPNs among the autonomous systems. A forwarding instance of the control packet is identified for each data packet according to a data tag of the data packet. At least two forwarding instances are distinct from each other. The data packets are forwarded according to the forwarding instances.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, routing multicast traffic includes generating a multicast distribution tree for each mapping of a plurality of mappings. A mapping associates a source with a multicast group. Each multicast group has at least two multicast distribution trees. A frame destined for a first multicast group is received. The first multicast group has a first multicast distribution tree and a second multicast distribution tree. The first multicast distribution tree, but not the second multicast distribution tree, is selected for the frame. The frame is sent over a path designated by the selected multicast distribution tree.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of network site interfaces in communication with two or more networks, each of the networks associated with a different Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) instance, and a processor configured for mapping the VRF instances to an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) adjacency and transmitting VRF information on the IGP adjacency along with a VRF identifier indicating the network associated with the VRF information. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a first network, a second network, and a core network connecting the first network to the second network. The first network includes a first set of two or more network devices, wherein the first network has a first spanning tree associated therewith. Similarly, the second network includes a second set of two or more network devices, wherein the second network has a second spanning tree associated therewith, wherein the second spanning tree is separate from the first spanning tree.