Abstract: A method for withdrawing programmed routes in network devices. The method includes receiving instructions to withdraw at least one route of a set of programmed routes, where the set of programmed routes is stored in a forwarding information base (FIB), removing the at least one route from a set of routes stored in a routing information base (RIB), notifying at least one peer network device of a set of peer network devices about the at least one route to be withdrawn, initializing a timer with a timeout value and starting the timer, before the time expires, processing a packet that uses the at least one route to be withdrawn, and after the timer expires, removing the at least one route from the FIB.

Abstract: A method for initializing the border gateway protocol (BGP) on network devices. The method includes predicting, by the network device, using a set of prediction heuristics, a first possible internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) address of a first peer network device. The method further includes sending, by the network device, a first neighbor discovery protocol (NDP) request for the first possible IPv6 address, and receiving, by the network device, from the first peer network device, in response to the NDP request, a first media access control (MAC) address. The method also includes establishing, after receiving the first MAC address, a BGP session with the first peer network device and exchanging route updates with the first peer network device, and processing a packet. The processing of the packet is delayed until the first MAC address is received.

Abstract: A method for initializing the border gateway protocol (BGP) on network devices. The method includes predicting, by the network device, using a set of prediction heuristics, a first possible internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) address of a first peer network device. The method further includes sending, by the network device, a first neighbor discovery protocol (NDP) request for the first possible IPv6 address, and receiving, by the network device, from the first peer network device, in response to the NDP request, a first media access control (MAC) address. The method also includes establishing, after receiving the first MAC address, a BGP session with the first peer network device and exchanging route updates with the first peer network device, and processing a packet. The processing of the packet is delayed until the first MAC address is received.

Abstract: A method for withdrawing programmed routes in network devices. The method includes receiving instructions to withdraw at least one route of a set of programmed routes, where the set of programmed routes is stored in a forwarding information base (FIB), removing the at least one route from a set of routes stored in a routing information base (RIB), notifying at least one peer network device of a set of peer network devices about the at least one route to be withdrawn, initializing a timer with a timeout value and starting the timer, before the time expires, processing a packet that uses the at least one route to be withdrawn, and after the timer expires, removing the at least one route from the FIB.