Abstract: A software defined networking (SDN) controller and methods for protecting against failure of a network element in a forwarding plane are provided. A multi-topology routing based IP fast re-route (MTR-IPFRR) process is configured to: if a new traffic flow is detected in the forwarding plane, determine a primary path for relaying network traffic to a destination node using primary forwarding tables; for each network element along the primary path, determine and associate a virtual topology (VT) which protects the network element from relaying network traffic; determine a protecting path for each protected network element along the primary path using an associated VT; and program each node along the primary path to be switchable to a protecting path associated with an adjacent network element to reroute network traffic from an anticipated failed network element.

Abstract: A software defined networking (SDN) controller and methods for protecting against failure of a network element in a forwarding plane are provided. A multi-topology routing based IP fast re-route (MTR-IPFRR) process is configured to: if a new traffic flow is detected in the forwarding plane, determine a primary path for relaying network traffic to a destination node using primary forwarding tables; for each network element along the primary path, determine and associate a virtual topology (VT) which protects the network element from relaying network traffic; determine a protecting path for each protected network element along the primary path using an associated VT; and program each node along the primary path to be switchable to a protecting path associated with an adjacent network element to reroute network traffic from an anticipated failed network element.