Routing methods, systems, and computer program products

A method, comprising:

• configuring at least a portion of a plurality of instructions to cause a current node to:
• receive an indication of a receipt, via a first path segment, of a first packet that includes a header that is configured for use in identifying a path segment identifier data structure that includes a sequence of path segment identifiers including a first path segment identifier configured for use in identifying the first path segment, a second path segment identifier that identifies a region of a network that does not include the current node and that is configured for use in identifying a next region that does not include the current node and for use in identifying a second path segment at least partially included in a current region that at least partially includes the current node such that the second path segment identifier includes a single identifier that identifies, in an address space having a span in the current region, the next region, and a third path segment identifier configured for use in identifying a third path segment,
• detect, using the header of the first packet, the path segment identifier data structure and an active identifier indicator for designating one of the path segment identifiers in the sequence for use by the current node,
• determine that the active identifier indicator designates the second path segment identifier for use by the current node, and
• based on the second path segment identifier, cause transmission, via the second path segment, of first data, along with at least a portion of the path segment identifier data structure, from the current node to another node at least partially included in the region, such that the another node is capable of processing the at least portion of the path segment identifier data structure, resulting in the third path segment identifier being designated for use by the another node by another active identifier indicator to cause, based on the third path segment identifier, transmission, via the third path segment, the first data, along with at least part of the path segment identifier data structure, from the current node to yet another node;
• and
• causing storage of the at least portion of the instructions on at least one non-transitory memory.

A current node, comprising:

• means for receiving an indication of a receipt, via a first path segment, of a first packet that includes a header that is configured for use in identifying a path segment identifier data structure that includes a sequence of path segment identifiers including a first path segment identifier configured for use in identifying the first path segment, a second path segment identifier that identifies a region of a network that does not include the current node and that is configured for use in identifying a next region that does not include the current node and for use in identifying a second path segment at least partially included in a current region that at least partially includes the current node such that the second path segment identifier includes a single identifier that identifies, in an address space having a span in the current region, the next region, and a third path segment identifier configured for use in identifying a third path segment;
• means for:
• detecting, using the header of the first packet, the path segment identifier data structure and an active identifier indicator for designating one of the path segment identifiers in the sequence for use by the current node, and
• determining that the active identifier indicator designates the second path segment identifier for use by the current node;
• and
• means for, based on the second path segment identifier, causing transmission, via the second path segment, of first data, along with at least a portion of the path segment identifier data structure, from the current node to another node at least partially included in the region, such that the another node is capable of processing the at least portion of the path segment identifier data structure, resulting in the third path segment identifier being designated for use by the another node by another active identifier indicator to cause, based on the third path segment identifier, transmission, via the third path segment, the first data, along with at least part of the path segment identifier data structure, from the current node to yet another node.