A method and apparatus and a PROGRAM storage device, readable by a machine and tangibly embodying a PROGRAM of instructions executable by the machine performs a method including: receiving an update message at a router and the update message including a timer value from at least one other router according to a routing protocol; extracting the timer value from the update message received from at least one other router; and resetting the timer value in response to a difference between the extracted timer value of at least one other router and the set timer value.
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