Importance

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Abstract

A method for electing a master router in a virtual router network by obtaining a tracking parameter for each of the routers participating in a virtual router network. A priority value is assigned to each of the plurality of routers based on the tracking parameter and reported to each router at periodic intervals. The router with the highest priority value is elected, or re-elected, as the new master. The tracking parameters include a ping tracking parameter obtained by pinging the active routes listed in the routing table for each of the of routers participating in the virtual router network, an environmental tracking parameter obtained by inspecting the operating characteristics outside of the control of the router, including operating temperature and power supply status, and a diagnostic tracking parameter obtained by inspecting the diagnostic data representing operating characteristics within the control of the router, including an operability status of the router's circuitry and channels and a status of the packet-level connectivity to the physical layer backplane network.

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First Claim