Load balancing and session persistence in packet networks

An apparatus, comprising:

• a processor, and
• memory storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform:
• receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) data packet comprising:
• an IP header;
• a destination options extension header (DOEH) comprising:
• a first data field identifying the DOEH as conforming to a predefined option usable with load balancing,
• a second data field identifying a length of a DOEH payload field, and
• the DOEH payload field, wherein the DOEH payload field comprises third and fourth data fields, wherein the third data field stores a client identifier, and the fourth data field stores a server identifier;
• and
• an IP payload;
• and
• processing the IP data packet based on the IP header without allowing modification to the DOEH.

A method comprising:

• Receiving, at an intermediary node of an Internet Protocol (IP) data network, an IP data packet comprising:
• an IP header;
• a destination options extension header (DOEH) comprising:
• a first data field identifying the DOEH as conforming to a predefined option usable with load balancing,
• a second data field identifying a length of a DOEH payload field,
• the DOEH payload field comprising third and fourth data fields, wherein the third data field stores a client identifier, and the fourth data field stores a server identifier;
• and
• an IP payload;
• and
• processing the IP data packet at the intermediary node based on the IP header without allowing modification to the DOEH;
• and
• sending the IP data packet by the intermediary node to either of a next hop node or a destination server, based on the processing of the data packet.

One or more computer readable storage media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed by a device, configure the device to perform:

• receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) data packet, the IP data packet comprising:
• an IP header;
• a destination options extension header (DOEH) comprising:
• a first data field identifying the DOEH as conforming to a predefined option usable with load balancing,
• a second data field identifying a length of a DOEH payload field, and
• the DOEH payload field, wherein the DOEH payload field comprises third and fourth data fields, wherein the third data field stores a client identifier, and the fourth data field stores a server identifier;
• and
• an IP payload;
• and
• processing the IP data packet based on the IP header without allowing modification to the DOEH.