ULTRA RELIABLE SEGMENT ROUTING

SR-enabled network nodes capable of replicating and recombining data packets in a manner that enables reliable, low-latency communications. In an example embodiment, a replicator node transmits to a combinator node multiple copies of a payload over different respective network paths, with the SR headers of the corresponding packets each having a replication segment identifier or a respective SID stack that includes the replication segment identifier. The combinator node delivers/forwards to the corresponding application/destination only the first-to-arrive payload copy and discards any subsequent payload copies based on the replication segment identifier. Some embodiments may beneficially reduce latency and packet loss concurrently and consistently. For example, packet loss may be reduced due to the transmission of multiple copies of the same payload over multiple network paths. Effective latency may be reduced due to the selection of the first-to-arrive payload copy for delivery/forwarding.