US Patent 9838246 Micro-loop prevention using source packet routing

In general, techniques are described for reducing or otherwise preventing micro-loops in network using Source Packet Routing in Networking (SPRING). In some examples, a method includes detecting a failure of a communication by a network device that implements a Source Packet Routing in Networking (SPRING) protocol to forward network packets using node labels according to an initial network topology. Responsive to detecting the failure of the communication link, the network device may apply, for a defined time duration, one or more adjacency labels to network packets to define a set of one-hop tunnels corresponding to a backup sub-path that circumvents the failed communication link. Upon expiration of the defined time duration, the network device may forward, according to a new network topology that is not based on applying the one or more adjacency labels that define the set of one-hop tunnels, network packets destined for the destination network device.