Selective load balancing of network traffic
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- receiving load balancing criteria and an indication of a plurality of network nodes;
creating a plurality of forwarding entries based on the load balancing criteria and the indication of the plurality of network nodes, wherein a distinct forwarding entry is created for each of the plurality of network nodes, each forwarding entry of the plurality of forwarding entries including an identifier for a distinct network node of the plurality of network nodes, a distinct range of source IP addresses, and the received load balancing criteria, the distinct range of source IP addresses including a first source IP address defining a low end of the distinct range of source IP addresses and a second source IP address defining a high end of the distinct range of source IP addresses;
programming a content addressable memory of a network element with the plurality of forwarding entries;
selectively load balancing, by the network element, network traffic that meets the load balancing criteria among the plurality of network nodes by applying the plurality of forwarding entries to the network traffic; and
accessing a forwarding table of the network element for network traffic that does not meet the load balancing criteria.
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Abstract
In one embodiment, load balancing criteria and an indication of a plurality of network nodes is received. A plurality of forwarding entries are created based on the load balancing criteria and the indication of the plurality of nodes. A content addressable memory of a network element is programmed with the plurality of forwarding entries. The network element selectively load balances network traffic by applying the plurality of forwarding entries to the network traffic, wherein network traffic meeting the load balancing criteria is load balanced among the plurality of network nodes.
372 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving load balancing criteria and an indication of a plurality of network nodes; creating a plurality of forwarding entries based on the load balancing criteria and the indication of the plurality of network nodes, wherein a distinct forwarding entry is created for each of the plurality of network nodes, each forwarding entry of the plurality of forwarding entries including an identifier for a distinct network node of the plurality of network nodes, a distinct range of source IP addresses, and the received load balancing criteria, the distinct range of source IP addresses including a first source IP address defining a low end of the distinct range of source IP addresses and a second source IP address defining a high end of the distinct range of source IP addresses; programming a content addressable memory of a network element with the plurality of forwarding entries; selectively load balancing, by the network element, network traffic that meets the load balancing criteria among the plurality of network nodes by applying the plurality of forwarding entries to the network traffic; and accessing a forwarding table of the network element for network traffic that does not meet the load balancing criteria. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus comprising:
at least one memory to store a plurality of forwarding entries, the plurality of forwarding entries formed based on load balancing criteria and an indication of a plurality of network nodes, wherein a distinct forwarding entry is created for each of the plurality of network nodes, each forwarding entry of the plurality of forwarding entries including an identifier of a distinct port of the apparatus coupled to a respective one of the plurality of network nodes, a distinct range of source IP addresses, and the load balancing criteria, the distinct range of source IP addresses including a first source IP address defining a low end of the distinct range of source IP addresses and a second source IP address defining a high end of the distinct range of source IP addresses; and forwarding logic comprising circuitry, the forwarding logic to; receive network traffic; selectively load balance the network traffic that meets the load balancing criteria among the plurality of network nodes by applying the plurality of forwarding entries to the network traffic; and access a forwarding table for network traffic that does not meet the load balancing criteria. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer-readable non-transitory medium comprising one or more instructions that when executed by a processor configure the processor to cause programmable logic to perform one or more operations comprising:
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receive load balancing criteria and an indication of a plurality of network nodes; create a plurality of forwarding entries based on the load balancing criteria and the indication of the plurality of network nodes, wherein a distinct forwarding entry is created for each of the plurality of network nodes, each forwarding entry of the plurality of forwarding entries including an identifier for a distinct network node of the plurality of network nodes, a distinct range of source IP addresses, and the received load balancing criteria, the distinct range of source IP addresses including a first source IP address defining a low end of the distinct range of source IP addresses and a second source IP address defining a high end of the distinct range of source IP addresses; program a content addressable memory of a network element with the plurality of forwarding entries; selectively load balance network traffic that meets the load balancing criteria among the plurality of network nodes by applying the plurality of forwarding entries to the network traffic; and access a forwarding table of the network element for network traffic that does not meet the load balancing criteria. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification