Internet protocol (IP) work group routing
First Claim
1. A method of routing datagrams from a source to a destination in an IP communications network including routers having multiple router interfaces connecting multiple physical networks, wherein the routers forward IP datagrams based upon IP addresses, the method comprising the steps of:
- defining an IP work group by assigning multiple router interfaces to a same IP work group address; and
forwarding IP datagrams through the routers based on the IP work group address.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method wherein multiple router interfaces are assigned the same IP network address, creating an IP work group. This enhances host mobility by allowing, in one embodiment, a host to be relocated anywhere in the work group without requiring reconfiguration of the host. As a further option, host address ranges may be specified (i.e., locked) to designated interfaces of the work group, to enhance security by restricting the allowed host mobility within the work group. An additional advantage is a reduced consumption of network and subnet addresses, because now a single address is used for several physical networks.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of routing datagrams from a source to a destination in an IP communications network including routers having multiple router interfaces connecting multiple physical networks, wherein the routers forward IP datagrams based upon IP addresses, the method comprising the steps of:
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defining an IP work group by assigning multiple router interfaces to a same IP work group address; and
forwarding IP datagrams through the routers based on the IP work group address. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of providing security in an IP communications network include routers having multiple router interfaces connecting multiple physical networks, wherein the routers forward IP datagrams based on IP addresses, the method comprising the steps of:
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defining an IP work group by specifying IP host address ranges for different router interfaces; and
filtering IP datagrams based on the host address ranges. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A method of increasing host mobility in an IP communications network including multiple physical networks connected by routers having multiple router interfaces, wherein the routers forward IP datagrams based upon IP addresses, the method comprising the steps of:
defining an IP work group by assigning multiple router interfaces to a same IP work group address and forwarding IP datagrams based on the IP work group address, and wherein a host is attachable to any interface in the IP work group without requiring reconfiguration of the host IP address. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An IP communications network including multiple physical networks connected by routers having multiple router interfaces, the routers forwarding IP datagrams based upon IP addresses, the network providing increased host mobility and including:
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means for defining an IP work group by assigning multiple router interfaces to a same IP work group address; and
means for forwarding IP datagrams based on the IP work group address, wherein a host is attachable to any interface in the IP work group without requiring reconfiguration of the host IP address.
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23. An IP communications network including routers having multiple router interfaces connecting multiple physical networks, the routers forwarding IP datagrams based on IP addresses, the network providing enhanced security and including:
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means for defining an IP work group by specifying IP host address ranges for different router interfaces; and
means for filtering IP datagrams based on the host address ranges.
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24. A router that provides security for preventing unauthorized transmissions comprising:
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a first interface connectable to a first network;
means for assigning a range of valid IP host addresses to the first interface; and
means for forwarding only IP datagrams transmitted from a host on the first network having a host IP address within the range of valid host addresses.
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25. An apparatus for assigning a plurality of interfaces on an IP communications network to a work group, comprising:
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means for defining an IP work group by assigning an IP workgroup address to a plurality of interfaces;
means for configuring interfaces to the IP work group;
means for configuring ranges of IP host addresses to associated interfaces of the IP work group; and
means for filtering IP datagrams based upon the host address ranges.
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Specification