	US 7,606,159 B2
	Method and apparatus for updating best path based on real-time congestion feedback
Mitesh Dalal, Santa Clara, Calif. (US); Pritam Shah, Brookline, Mass. (US); Amol Khare, Sunnyvale, Calif. (US); and Vamsidhar Valluri, Fremont, Calif. (US)
Assigned to Cisco Technology, Inc., San Jose, Calif. (US)
Filed on Aug. 30, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/216,589.
Prior Publication US 2007/0047446 A1, Mar. 01, 2007
Int. Cl. H04L 12/28 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 370—237

26 Claims

1. A method, comprising:

monitoring packets received from an internetworked system, wherein the packets are received on one of a plurality of external interfaces of a networking device;

detecting that a received packet includes real-time information that signals a present or pending congestion condition on a path from the external interfaces of the networking device to the internetworked system;

wherein the present or pending congestion condition is experienced by a first traffic flow of data packets from the external interfaces of the networking device to the internetworked device;

notifying a control logic of the real-time information;

receiving from the control logic control information defining a change in one or more paths from the external interfaces to the internetworked system;

wherein the change in the one or more paths addresses said present or pending congestion condition;

wherein the change diverts traffic of one or more other traffic flows of data packets to other paths that are different from the path;

wherein the change maintains the path for the first traffic flow of data packets; and

changing the one or more paths from the external interfaces to the internetworked system.