Ascertaining per-hop network characteristics

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a network node, a first data packet comprising an options header indicating a first option type;

performing, based on the value of the first option type, a query for link utilization information related to a utilization of a link by the network node;

determining that the network node is a deepest node; and

sending a second data packet comprising an indication that the network node is the deepest node and the link utilization information.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing, based on the value of the first option type, a query for interface information related to an interface ID of an interface of the network node, wherein the second data packet comprises the interface information.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing, based on the value of the first option type, a query for a host name of the network node, wherein the second data packet comprises the host name.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the options header of the first data packet further indicates a second option type and further comprises an option content portion, and wherein the method further comprises:

determining that the option content portion of the first data packet contains a predetermined value; and

determining, based on a value of the second option type, information, and wherein the second data packet comprises the determined information.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first data packet comprises an echo request packet and the second data packet comprises an echo reply packet.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing processor executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

receive a first data packet comprising an options header indicating a first option type;

perform, based on the value of the first option type, a query for link utilization information related to a utilization of a link by the apparatus;

determine that the apparatus is a deepest node; and

send a second data packet comprising an indication that the apparatus is the deepest node and the link utilization information.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the processor executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to perform, based on the value of the first option type, a query for interface information related to an interface ID of an interface of the apparatus, wherein the second data packet comprises the interface information.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the processor executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to perform, based on the value of the first option type, a query for a host name of the apparatus, wherein the second data packet comprises the host name.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the options header of the first data packet further indicates a second option type and further comprises an option content portion, and wherein the processor executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to:

determine that the option content portion of the first data packet contains a predetermined value; and

determine, based on a value of the second option type, information, wherein the second data packet comprises the determined information.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first data packet comprises an echo request packet and the second data packet comprises an echo reply packet.

11. A method, comprising:

receiving a first plurality of data packets, each data packet of the first plurality of data packets identifying a different network address for a plurality of network nodes of a network;

sending, via one or more paths through the network, a second plurality of data packets, each data packet of the second plurality of data packets comprising a first options header indicating a same first option type, each data packet of the second plurality of data packets being addressed to a different one of the network addresses identified by the first plurality of data packets, wherein one or more of the same first option types identifies one or more parameters queried for a plurality of parameters, and wherein at least one parameter of the plurality of parameters is a link utilization; and

receiving a third plurality of data packets, each data packet of the third plurality of data packets comprising a second options header indicating the first option type and indicating first option content associated with one of the network addresses, and wherein one or more data packets of the third plurality of data packets comprises a first indication of a deepest network node for each path of the one or more paths.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first options header of each data packet of the second plurality of data packets indicates a same second option type, and wherein each data packet of the third plurality of data packets comprises the second options header indicating the first option type and the second option type and indicating both the first option content and second option content associated with one of the network addresses.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first option type further indicates one or more of: a selection of an interface ID, a selection of a host name, or a selection of a link utilization.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first option type further indicates one or more of: a selection of an interface ID, a selection of a host name, or a selection of a link utilization.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of parameters comprises one or more of: an interface ID or a host name.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing processor executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

receive a first plurality of data packets each data packet of the first plurality of data packets identifying a different network address for a plurality of network nodes of a network;

send, via one or more paths through the network, a second plurality of data packets each data packet of the second plurality of data packets comprising a first options header indicating a same first option type, each data packet of the second plurality of data packets being addressed to a different one of the network addresses identified by the first plurality of data packets, wherein one or more of the same first option types identifies one or more parameters queried for a plurality of parameters, and wherein at least one parameter of the plurality of parameters is a link utilization; and

receive a third plurality of data packets, each data packet of the third plurality of data packets comprising a second options header indicating the first option type and indicating first option content associated with one of the network addresses, and wherein one or more of the third plurality of data packets comprises a first indication of a deepest network node for each path of the one or more paths.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the first options header of each data packet of the second plurality of data packets indicates a same second option type, and wherein each data packet of the third plurality of data packets comprises the second options header indicating the first option type and the second option type and indicating both the first option content and second option content associated with one of the network addresses.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the first option type further indicates one or more of: a selection of an interface ID, a selection of a host name, or a selection of a link utilization.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the first option type further indicates one or more of: a selection of an interface ID, a selection of a host name, or a selection of a link utilization.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of parameters comprises one or more of: an interface ID or a host name.