GRACEFUL RESTART FOR USE IN NODES EMPLOYING LABEL SWITCHED PATH SIGNALING PROTOCOLS

When a node has to restart its control component, or a (e.g., label-switched path signaling) part of its control component, if that node can preserve its forwarding information across the restart, the effects of such restarts on label switched path(s) the include the restarting node are minimized. A node's ability to preserve forwarding information across a control component (part) restart is advertised. In the event of a restart, stale forwarding information can be used for an limited time before. The restarting node can use its forwarding information, as well as received label-path advertisements, to determine which of its labels should be associated with the path, for advertisement to its peers.