Importance

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Abstract

Methods and apparatus for sending a redirect packet to a host by a first router that supports a virtual router protocol are disclosed. Specifically, the redirect packet notifies the host that specific packets are to be redirected to a second router. First, the first router receives a packet from a host, where the packet includes a source address identifying the host and a destination address identifying a destination network. The first router ascertains the destination network of the packet from the destination address and obtains from a routing table an address of a next router that is coupled to the packet's destination network. The first router then determines whether to send a redirect packet to the host. In accordance with one embodiment, this is performed by determining whether the next router and the host identified by the source address of the packet are on the same network. When it is determined that the next router and the host are on the same network, the first router composes and sends the redirect packet to the host. The redirect packet serves to notify the host that packets addressed to the destination network are to be redirected to a virtual address of the next router.

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First Claim