Method for routing packets by squelched flooding

In a packet-switched communication network having independent nodes capable of communicating via communication links, a method for routing flooding packets to nodes in said network, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a packet at a local node from a remote node via a communication link;
• testing said packet to determine whether said packet originates from a new node, said new node being said remote node having no communication link established with said local node;
• sending from said local node to said new node a sequence number inquiry via said communication link to inquire of a sequence number assigned by said new node to said local node for said communication link;
• assigning at said new node a sequence number to said communication link established with said new node, said sequence number specifying a relative priority of communication via said communication link;
• thereafter
• receiving from said new node at said local node a sequence number response, said sequence number response comprising said sequence number;
• storing said sequence number at said local node;
• receiving at said local node a flooding packet, said flooding packet being a message intended for all nodes in said packet network;
• and
• retransmitting said flooding packet to said new node only if said sequence number has a higher priority than a preselected threshold for a link sequence.