Method and apparatus for restarting RSVP processes in multiple network devices

A method of restarting RSVP processes in multiple network devices, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

• entering a recovery mode;
• sending a Hello message to a first neighbor RSVP node, wherein the Hello message comprises a non-zero Recovery Time value;
• completing the recovery mode;
• sending a Hello message to the first neighbor RSVP node, wherein the Hello message comprises a Recovery Time value of zero;
• receiving, from a second neighbor RSVP node, a Hello message having a non-zero Recovery Time value;
• storing information specifying that the second neighbor RSVP node is in a recovery mode;
• receiving, from the second neighbor RSVP node, a Hello message having a zero Recovery Time value;
• storing information specifying that the second neighbor RSVP node is in a normal mode;
• receiving an RSVP PATH message that contains a Recovery Label;
• forwarding the PATH message to a downstream node with the Recovery Label only in response to determining that the PATH message is being sent to a node that is in recovery mode;
• forwarding the PATH message to a downstream node with a Suggested Label in response to determining that the PATH message is being sent to a node that is not in recovery mode.

A computer-readable volatile or non-volatile medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for restarting resource reservation protocol (RSVP) processes in multiple network devices, which instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to carry out the steps, performed in a router and ordered as below, of:

• entering a recovery mode in which a forwarding plane is preserved;
• sending a Hello message to a first neighbor RSVP node, after entering the recovery mode, wherein the Hello message comprises a non-zero Recovery Time value;
• completing the recovery mode, after sending the Hello message;
• sending a Hello message to the first neighbor RSVP node, in response to completing the recovery mode, wherein the Hello message comprises a Recovery Time value of zero.

An apparatus in a router for restarting resource reservation protocol (RSVP) processes in multiple network devices, comprising:

• means for entering a recovery mode in which a forwarding plane is preserved;
• means for sending a Hello message to a first neighbor RSVP node, after entering the recovery mode, wherein the Hello message comprises a non-zero Recovery Time value;
• means for completing the recovery mode, after sending the Hello message;
• means for sending a Hello message to the first neighbor RSVP node, in response to completing the recovery mode, wherein the Hello message comprises a Recovery Time value of zero;
• wherein the means operate as ordered above.

An apparatus for restarting resource reservation protocol (RSVP) processes in multiple network devices, comprising:

• a network interface that is coupled to the data network for receiving one or more packet flows therefrom;
• a processor;
• one or more stored sequences of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out the steps, ordered as below, of:
• entering a recovery mode in which a forwarding plane is preserved;
• sending a Hello message to a first neighbor RSVP node, after entering the recovery mode, wherein the Hello message comprises a non-zero Recovery Time value;
• completing the recovery mode, after sending the Hello message;
• sending a Hello message to the first neighbor RSVP node, in response to completing the recovery mode, wherein the Hello message comprises a Recovery Time value of zero.