Patent attributes
A node of a network configured to forward packets based on network programming instructions encoded in the packets, performs a method. The method includes generating a probe packet encoded with a replication network programming instruction. The replication network programming instruction is configured to validate equal-cost multi-path (ECMP) routing in the network from the node to a destination by remotely triggering transit nodes of the network, that are traversed by the probe packet, to each perform replicate-and-forward actions. The replicate-and-forward actions include: identifying ECMP paths toward the destination; generating, for the ECMP paths, replicated probe packets that each include the replication network programming instruction; and forwarding the replicated probe packets along the ECMP paths. The method further includes forwarding the probe packet toward the destination.
