Patent attributes
In one embodiment, an edge device communicates with a neighboring routing domain. A failure that prevents communication between the edge device and the neighboring routing is detected. When the edge device thereafter receives a data packet that is directed to the neighboring routing domain, it determines if the received data packet was rerouted to the edge device from another edge device coupled to the neighboring routing domain. If the received data packet was not rerouted to the edge device from another edge device coupled to the neighboring routing domain, the edge device reroutes the received data packet to another edge device for forwarding to the neighboring routing domain. However, if the received data packet was rerouted to the edge device from another edge device coupled to the neighboring routing domain, the edge device prevents the received data packet from being rerouted a second time to prevent loops.