Micro segment identifier instructions for path tracing optimization

A node of a network comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
• determining that an address field of a header of a packet includes a path tracing instruction;
• determining that the path tracing instruction indicates a path tracing action that is to be performed by the node;
• performing the path tracing action to generate path tracing information;
• encapsulating the packet with a new header to generate an encapsulated packet;
• populating the new header with the path tracing information;
• and
• sending the encapsulated packet to another node of the network or to a control plane device of the network.

A method performed at least partially by a node of a network, the method comprising:

• determining that an address field of a header of a packet includes a path tracing instruction;
• determining that the path tracing instruction indicates a path tracing action that is to be performed by the node;
• performing the path tracing action;
• and
• sending at least one of the packet, a clone of the packet, or telemetry data associated with the path tracing action to another node of the network or to a control plane node of the network.