A method, apparatus and memory for forwarding packets through a network domain containing nodes that are label distribution protocol (LDP) enabled and nodes that are segment routing (SR) enabled. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving at a hybrid node a packet with an attached segment identifier and detaching the segment identifier from the packet. This embodiment of the method continues with attaching a first LDP label to the packet after the segment identifier is detached and forwarding the packet with the attached first LDP label on a path toward a first LDP enabled node.

A method, apparatus, and computer readable medium are disclosed. In one embodiment of the method, a packet and a segment ID stack is received at a first segment routing enabled node. The segment ID stack includes a plurality of segment IDs, one or which is a first area-segment ID that identifies a first area of a subdivided segment routing network. An egress interface of the first segment routing enabled node is selected based on the first area-segment ID. Thereafter, the packet is forwarded via the selected egress interface.

An apparatus and method for path creation element driven dynamic setup of forwarding adjacencies and explicit path. In one embodiment of the method, a node receives an instruction to create a tunnel between the node and another node. The node creates or initiates the creation of the tunnel in response to receiving the instruction, wherein the tunnel comprises a plurality of nodes in data communication between the node and the other node. The node maps a first identifier (ID) to information relating to the tunnel. The node advertises the first ID to other nodes in a network of nodes.

An apparatus and method is disclosed for segment routing (SR) over label distribution protocol (LDP). In one embodiment, the method includes a node receiving a packet with an attached segment ID. In response, the node may attach a label to the packet. Thereafter, the node may forward the packet with the attached label and segment ID to another node via a label switched path (LSP).

An apparatus and method for path creation element driven dynamic setup of forwarding adjacencies and explicit path. In one embodiment of the method, a node receives an instruction to create a tunnel between the node and another node. The node creates or initiates the creation of the tunnel in response to receiving the instruction, wherein the tunnel comprises a plurality of nodes in data communication between the node and the other node. The node maps a first identifier (ID) to information relating to the tunnel. The node advertises the first ID to other nodes in a network of nodes.

A method and apparatus for in-line processing a data packet while routing the packet through a router in a system transmitting data packets between a source and a destination over a network including the router. The method includes receiving the data packet and pre-processing layer header data for the data packet as the data packet is received and prior to transferring any portion of the data packet to packet memory. The data packet is thereafter stored in the packet memory. A routing through the router is determined including a next hop index describing the next connection in the network. The data packet is retrieved from the packet memory and a new layer header for the data packet is constructed from the next hop index while the data packet is being retrieved from memory. The new layer header is coupled to the data packet prior to transfer from the router.

A method, apparatus and memory for forwarding packets through a network domain containing nodes that are label distribution protocol (LDP) enabled and nodes that are segment routing (SR) enabled. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving at a hybrid node a packet with an attached segment identifier and detaching the segment identifier from the packet. This embodiment of the method continues with attaching a first LDP label to the packet after the segment identifier is detached and forwarding the packet with the attached first LDP label on a path toward a first LDP enabled node.

An apparatus and method is disclosed for segment routing (SR) over label distribution protocol (LDP). In one embodiment, the method includes a node receiving a packet with an attached segment ID. In response, the node may attach a label to the packet. Thereafter, the node may forward the packet with the attached label and segment ID to another node via a label switched path (LSP).

An apparatus and method for path creation element driven dynamic setup of forwarding adjacencies and explicit path. In one embodiment of the method, a node receives an instruction to create a tunnel between the node and another node. The node creates or initiates the creation of the tunnel in response to receiving the instruction, wherein the tunnel comprises a plurality of nodes in data communication between the node and the other node. The node maps a first identifier (ID) to information relating to the tunnel. The node advertises the first ID to other nodes in a network of nodes.