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US 2017/0324575 A1Published application
Bit Indexed Explicit Replication Forwarding Optimization
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsIjsbrand Wijnands, Gregory J. Shepherd, John H.W. Bettink
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER). For example, one method involves receiving a packet at a node. The packet includes a bit string. The node traverses the bit string and selects an entry in a bit indexed forwarding table (BIFT). The entry includes a forwarding bit mask. Based on the forwarding bit mask and the bit string, the node forwards the packet.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- generating a bit-indexed forwarding table (BIFT) at a first network node, wherein the BIFT is indexed by bit position by virtue of the generating comprising
- selecting a selected bit position in a bit string,
- storing neighbor information in a neighbor information field of an entry in the BIFT, wherein
- the entry corresponds to the selected bit position,
- the selected bit position represents a second network node, and
- the neighbor information is associated with a neighbor node that is a neighbor of the first network node, and
- storing forwarding bit mask information in a forwarding bit mask field of the entry.
4 more elements
A computer program product comprising:
- a plurality of instructions, comprising
- a first set of instructions, executable by a processor of a network device, configured to generate a bit-indexed forwarding table (BIFT) at a first network node, wherein
- the BIFT is indexed by bit position, and
- the first set of instructions comprises
- a first subset of instructions, executable by the processor of the network device, configured to select a selected bit position in a bit string,
- a second subset of instructions, executable by the processor of the network device, configured to store neighbor information in a neighbor information field of an entry in the BIFT, wherein the entry corresponds to the selected bit position, the selected bit position represents a second network node, and the neighbor information is associated with a neighbor node that is a neighbor of the first network node, and
- a third subset of instructions, executable by the processor of the network device, configured to store forwarding bit mask information in a forwarding bit mask field of the entry;
- and
- a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the instructions are encoded in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.
6 more elements
A network device comprising:
- one or more processors;
- one or more network interfaces coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the one or more network interfaces are configured to couple the network device to a network;
- a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium coupled to the one or more processors;
- and
- a plurality of instructions, encoded in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and configured to cause the one or more processors to generate a bit-indexed forwarding table (BIFT), wherein
- the BIFT is indexed by bit position, and
- the instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to generate comprise further instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to select a selected bit position in a bit string, store neighbor information in a neighbor information field of an entry in the BIFT, wherein
- the entry corresponds to the selected bit position,
- the selected bit position represents a another network device, and
- the neighbor information is associated with a neighbor network device that is a neighbor of the network device, and
- store forwarding bit mask information in a forwarding bit mask field of the entry.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.