Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes sending upstream to a nearest neighbor node, by a Client Label Switched Router (LSR), a downstream label map message of a Server-Forwarding Equivalence Class type (S-FEC-DOWN). In response to the S-FEC-DOWN, a downstream forwarding state from the nearest neighbor node to the Client LSR is established. An upstream label map message of a Client-Forwarding Equivalence Class type (C-FEC UP) is received from the nearest neighbor node. An upstream forwarding state corresponding to the C-FEC UP is then established by the Client LSR.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes sending upstream to a nearest neighbor node, by a Client Label Switched Router (LSR), a downstream label map message of a Server-Forwarding Equivalence Class type (S-FEC-DOWN). In response to the S-FEC-DOWN, a downstream forwarding state from the nearest neighbor node to the Client LSR is established. An upstream label map message of a Client-Forwarding Equivalence Class type (C-FEC UP) is received from the nearest neighbor node. An upstream forwarding state corresponding to the C-FEC UP is then established by the Client LSR.

Abstract: A virtual overlay backup network is established to provide Fast Reroute capability with guaranteed bandwidth protection to a network that employs end-to-end circuits such as label switched paths (LSPs). In some implementations, backup bandwidth is allocated from an available backup bandwidth pool, as defined herein, available on each link. Complete bandwidth protection may be provided rapidly upon detection of a failure while available backup bandwidth is shared between independent failures. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by provisioning backup tunnels to protect all links and nodes, wherein total available backup bandwidth on any link is not exceeded by the requirements of backup tunnels protecting any single node but backup tunnels protecting different nodes may share bandwidth.

Abstract: Load balancing among fast reroute backup tunnels in a label switched network is achieved. M backup tunnels may be used to protect N parallel paths. A single backup tunnel may protect multiple parallel paths, saving on utilization of network resources such as router state and signaling information. A single path may be protected by multiple backup tunnels, assuring that bandwidth guarantees are met under failure conditions even when no one backup tunnel with sufficient bandwidth may be found. A packing algorithm is used to associate individual label switched paths (LSPs) with individual backup tunnels. If an LSP cannot be assigned to a backup tunnel, it may be either rejected, or additional bandwidth is allocated to existing backup tunnels, or a new backup tunnel is established.

Abstract: Load balancing among fast reroute backup tunnels in a label switched network is achieved. M backup tunnels may be used to protect N parallel paths. A single backup tunnel may protect multiple parallel paths, saving on utilization of network resources such as router state and signaling information. A single path may be protected by multiple backup tunnels, assuring that bandwidth guarantees are met under failure conditions even when no one backup tunnel with sufficient bandwidth may be found. A packing algorithm is used to associate individual label switched paths (LSPs) with individual backup tunnels. If an LSP cannot be assigned to a backup tunnel, it may be either rejected, or additional bandwidth is allocated to existing backup tunnels, or a new backup tunnel is established.

Abstract: A virtual overlay backup network is established to provide Fast Reroute capability with guaranteed bandwidth protection to a network that employs end-to-end circuits such as label switched paths (LSPs). In some implementations, backup bandwidth is allocated from an available backup bandwidth pool, as defined herein, available on each link. Complete bandwidth protection may be provided rapidly upon detection of a failure while available backup bandwidth is shared between independent failures. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by provisioning backup tunnels to protect all links and nodes, wherein total available backup bandwidth on any link is not exceeded by the requirements of backup tunnels protecting any single node but backup tunnels protecting different nodes may share bandwidth.