Method of loose source routing over disparate network types in a packet communication network

A method for digital packet communication between nodes in disparate networks including path unaware network layer types and path aware network layer types, said method comprising:

• a) receiving an encapsulating packet which encapsulates a path-addressed packet at a first network layer of a first type;
• b) if said first type is path unaware, checking whether said encapsulating packet is intended for the current destination and if not, routing said encapsulating packet according to said path unaware protocol;
• otherwise
• c) extracting said path-addressed packet from said encapsulating packet;
• thereafter
• d) finding a marker element in a path address sequence in the path-addressed packet and determining whether destination indicated by the marker is out of range for the current node, and if not in range, aborting processing;
• else if in range
• e) testing to determine whether the current destination indicated by the marker matches the current node, and
• f) if no match, passing on the path-addressed packet to another network router;
• else, if the current destination indicated by the marker matches the current node, passing on the path-addressed packet to a network router for distribution to another network layer and to applications;
• and if said network layer is path aware, performing steps e) through f).

A method for digital packet communication between nodes in various networks including path aware network layer types, said method comprising:

• a) designating a destination path element for a packet by means of a type-length-value element specific only to one station of a group of destinations, where said one station of said group is not necessarily a target destination;
• b) selecting a route for said packet to a station within said group;
• thereafter
• c) transmitting said packet to said station within said group;
• d) receiving said packet at said station at a first network layer, said packet being a path-addressed packet;
• e) directing said path-addressed packet to a path router;
• f) determining at said path router whether said path-addressed packet should be passed to a second network layer or to an application;
• and
• g) passing said path-addressed packet to the application if so addressed and to a second network layer if not so addressed.