Generation of redundant scheduled network paths using a branch and merge technique

Abstract

A method and apparatus for creating and using multiple redundant paths between endpoints in a scheduled communication network, and for sending copies of data down each path. A path calculation is made for one or more redundant paths between designated branch and merge points in a network using scheduled switch/routers, and duplicate packets are transmitted along each path to the merge point. The first packet received among the configured paths at the merge point is forwarded to a resulting data stream and the later (duplicate) copies from other paths are discarded. Path itineraries are configured to maintain temporal packet sequence in the resulting stream. Path status is monitored and additional paths can be substituted if a path has an outage. Alternatively, multiple divergent paths can be configured, and duplicate packets transmitted along each path, where at least one path delivers data between end points, and a monitoring path also transmits copies of the data to an alternate location. A new routing header may be attached to packets transmitted in the monitoring path, to facilitate conformance with CALEA monitoring requirements.