Methods, systems, and computer program products for routing using headers including a sequence of node scope-specific identifiers

A non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer instructions, that when executed by one or more processors of a current node configured to be positioned in a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, cause the current node to:

• detect first data to be transmitted to a receiving node;
• identify a sequence of node scope-specific identifiers that is selected from a plurality of node scope-specific identifiers based on at least one of:
• the current node, the receiving node, or a policy, where each of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence is in one of a plurality of node scope-specific identifier spaces that is each specific to a corresponding one of a plurality of nodes in a path from the current node toward the receiving node, and each of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence identifies, for the corresponding one of the plurality of nodes, a corresponding next node in the path from the current node toward the receiving node;
• identify a first one of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence;
• identify a next node, based on the first one of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence;
• generate a first header including at least a remaining of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence other than the first one, for use in transmitting the first data along the path toward the receiving node;
• and
• transmit, based on the first one of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence and in a first packet, the first data and the first header, including the at least remaining of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence other than the first one, along the path from the current node toward the next node.

A method, comprising:

• at a current node configured to be positioned in a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network:
• detecting first data to be transmitted to a receiving node;
• identifying a sequence of node scope-specific identifiers that is selected from a plurality of node scope-specific identifiers based on at least one of:
• the current node, the receiving node, or a policy, where each of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence is in one of a plurality of node scope-specific identifier spaces that is each specific to a corresponding one of a plurality of nodes in a path from the current node toward the receiving node, and each of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence identifies, for the corresponding one of the plurality of nodes, a corresponding next node in the path from the current node toward the receiving node;
• identifying a first one of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence;
• identifying a next node, based on the first one of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence;
• generating a first header including at least a remaining of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence other than the first one, for use in transmitting the first data along the path toward the receiving node;
• and
• transmitting, based on the first one of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence and in a first packet, the first data and the first header, including the at least remaining of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence other than the first one, along the path from the current node toward the next node.

A method, comprising the acts of:

• configuring at least a portion of a plurality of instructions to cause a current node, that is positioned in a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, to:
• detect first data to be transmitted to a receiving node,
• identify a sequence of node scope-specific identifiers that is selected from a plurality of node scope-specific identifiers based on at least one of:
• the current node, the receiving node, or a policy, where each of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence is in one of a plurality of node scope-specific identifier spaces that is specific to a corresponding one of a plurality of nodes in a path from the current node toward the receiving node, and each of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence identifies, for the corresponding one of the plurality of nodes, a corresponding next node in the path from the current node toward the receiving node,
• identify a first one of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence,
• identify a next node, based on the first one of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence,
• generate a first header including at least a remaining of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence other than the first one, for use in transmitting the first data along the path toward the receiving node, and
• transmit, based on the first one of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence and in a first packet, the first data and the first header, including the at least remaining of the node scope-specific identifiers of the sequence other than the first one, along the path from the current node toward the next node;
• and
• causing storage of the at least portion of the instructions on at least one non-transitory memory.