Network topology for use with an open internet protocol services platform

• US 20020118642A1
• Filed: 10/11/2001
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Emergecore Networks LLC
• Original Assignee: Emergecore Networks LLC
• Inventors: Lee, Daniel Joseph
• Application Number:
  US09/976,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20020118642A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/046 comprising network management agents or mobile agents therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10015 Access to distributed or replicated servers, e.g. using brokers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A switch fabric global information network topology, wherein a switch fabric network matrix provides an Open IP Services Platform at each node thereof, the Open IP Services Platform providing decentralization of network services and a constant trunk size, wherein the switch fabric network matrix eliminates saturation of any communication line, thereby always making bandwidth available, and providing an infinitely scalable network topology.

Claims

1. A method for creating a local network topology that decreases congestion on trunk lines between the local network structure and a global information network, said method comprising the steps of:

1) providing a local switch fabric network matrix as the local network topology, wherein the switch fabric network matrix is comprised of a plurality of network switching node devices; and

2) providing a trunk line that is in communication with the switch fabric network matrix and the global information network, enabling transfer of data and voice communication therebetween.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of providing the plurality of network switching node devices further comprises the step of coupling at least one end user to one of the plurality of network switching node devices.

3. The method as defined in claim 2 wherein the method further comprises the step of providing at least one mass storage device for each of the plurality of network switching node devices, thereby enabling each network switching node device to cache data that can be stored on the global information network.

4. The method as defined in claim 3 wherein the method further comprises the step of enabling an end user to access data from one of the plurality of network switching node devices whenever the data is being stored within the local switch fabric network matrix.

5. The method as defined in claim 4 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

1) enabling only one of the plurality of network switching node devices to download data from the global information network when the data is desired; and

2) enabling the network switching node device that downloaded the data to share the data with any other network switching node device that desires to cache said data on its own mass storage device.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the step of increasing local traffic within the local switch fabric network matrix to thereby reduce traffic on the trunk line to the global information network.

7. The method as defined in claim 1 where in the method further comprises the step of reducing congestion on the trunk line to the global information network by:

1) caching data within the plurality of network switching node devices that is also available on the global information network;

2) coupling at least one end user to one of the plurality of network switching node devices; and

3) enabling the at least one end user to access the cached data stored within the plurality of network switching node devices instead of accessing the global information network.

8. The method as defined in claim 5 wherein the method further comprises the step of providing a plurality of Open IP Services Platforms to function as the plurality of network switching node devices.

9. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the method further comprises integrating the functions of at least two network services in the Open IP Services Platform.

10. The method as defined in claim 9 wherein the method for integrating the functions of at least two network services in an Open IP Services Platform that provides access to a network, said method comprising the steps of:

1) providing a single board computer running an open architecture Operation System, at least two bus connectors coupled to the single board computer, and used for receiving cards that perform network functions, a switch/router board coupled to the single board computer, and a plurality of network ports coupled to the switch/router board; and

2) configuring interconnections between the at least two bus connectors, the switch/router board, and the single board computer by utilizing configuration software that directs a plurality of switches to make physical interconnections within the Open IP Services Platform.

11. The method as defined in claim 10 wherein the method further comprises the step of enabling the Open IP Services Platform to determine a desirable network topology within the Open IP Services Platform for the at least two network functions being performed.

12. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the method further comprises the step of enabling an administrator to utilize the configuration software to configure individual ports of the Open IP Services Platform.

13. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the configuration software is able to configure the individual ports of the Open IP Services Platform by selecting a configuration scheme from the group of configuration schemes comprising bandwidth usage, rule sets, trigger points, IP services being performed, and protocol usage.

14. The method as defined in claim 13 wherein the configuration software enables on the fly configuration of the Open IP Services Platform, wherein the Open IP Services Platform is not rebooted in order to effect desired changes in interconnections.

15. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the method further comprises the step of enabling a plurality of different network devices to be coupled to the at least two bus connectors, wherein the plurality of different network devices are selected from the group of network devices comprising routers, switches, load balancers, bridges, firewalls, packet shapers, and servers.

16. The method as defined in claim 15 wherein the method further comprises the step of enabling network devices from any vendor to be included in the Open IP Services Platform, wherein memory management prevents any one of the network devices from interfering with operation of any other network device.

17. The method as defined in claim 16 wherein the method further comprises the step of enabling any vendor of the network devices to provide a software module that is utilized by the configuration software to represent and control operation of a network device.

18. The method as defined in claim 17 wherein the method further comprises the step of providing the Operating System that includes all components of a complete version, thereby including all security and memory management features.

19. The method as defined in claim 18 wherein the method further comprises the step of modifying or making additions to the Operating System in order to enable a network device to operate within the Open IP Services Platform.

20. The method as defined in claim 19 wherein the method further comprises the step of reducing the time required to configure the network topology, wherein the configuration software provides a graphical user interface that enables an administrator to drag and drop icons representing the network devices into the desired network topology.

21. The method as defined in claim 20 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

1) providing a plurality of pre-configured network topologies that are stored in memory;

2) selecting of the pre-configured network topologies; and

3) instruction the Open IP Services Platform to implement the network topology defined in the pre-configured network topology utilizing network devices installed in the Open IP Services Platform.

22. The method as defined in claim 20 wherein the method further comprises the step of reducing networking knowledge requirements of the administrator, to thereby facilitate rapid and easy deployment of the network topology.

23. The method as defined in claim 22 wherein the method further comprises the step of enabling operation of the Open IP Services Platform in harsh environments that would otherwise preclude operation of the Open IP Services Platform by providing localized cooling for specific temperature sensitive components.

24. The method as defined in claim 9 wherein the method for providing an Open IP Services Platform is capable of performing various network functions according to the specific network components that are disposed therein, and according to a network topology selected for those network components, said method comprising the steps of:

1) providing a single board computer running an open architecture Operation System, at least two bus connectors coupled to the single board computer, and used for receiving cards that perform network functions, a switch/router board coupled to the single board computer, and a plurality of network ports coupled to the switch/router board;

2) coupling a first set of network devices to the at least two connector buses; and

3) configuring interconnections between the first set of network devices, the switch/router board, and the single board computer to thereby define a first network function and a first network topology for the Open IP Services Platform.

25. The method as defined in claim 24 wherein the method further comprises the steps of reconfiguring through configuration software the interconnections between the first set of network devices, the switch/router board, and the single board computer to thereby define a second network function and a second network topology for the Open IP Services Platform, without having to change the first set of network devices.

26. The method as defined in claim 25 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

1) removing the first set of network devices from the Open IP Services Platform;

2) coupling a second set of network devices to the at least two connector buses; and

3) configuring interconnections between the second set of network devices, the switch/router board, and the single board computer to thereby define a third network function and a third network topology for the Open IP Services Platform.

28. The system as defined in claim 27 wherein the system further comprises at least one end user coupled to one of the plurality of network switching node devices.

29. The system as defined in claim 28 wherein the system further comprises at least one mass storage device associated with each of the plurality of network switching node devices, thereby enabling each network switching node device to cache data that can be stored on the global information network.

30. The system as defined in claim 29 wherein the system further comprises a plurality of Open IP Services Platforms to function as the plurality of network switching node devices.

31. The system as defined in claim 30 wherein each of the plurality of Open IP Services Platforms further comprises

a single board computer (SBC), including memory;

an open architecture Operating System (OS) stored in the memory;

at least two bus connectors for receiving cards that perform network functions, wherein the at least two bus connectors are coupled to the SBC;

a switch/router board coupled to the single board computer;

a plurality of network ports, wherein the plurality of network ports are coupled on a first side to the switch/router board, and provide a connection to a network on a second side thereof; and

configuration software for controlling interconnections between the at least two bus connectors, the switch/router board, and the SBC.

32. The system as defined in claim 31 wherein the open architecture Operating System is selected from the group of Operating Systems comprised of FreeBSD and Linux.

33. The system as defined in claim 32 wherein the at least two bus connectors further comprise peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus connectors.

34. The system as defined in claim 33 wherein the switch/router board is further comprised of:

a PCI to PCI bus bridge;

a PCI to PCMCIA bus bridge;

at least one random access memory module; and

a media switch for performing switch and router function.

35. The system as defined in claim 34 wherein the plurality of network ports further comprises:

at least two gigabit ethernet ports;

at least twelve 10/100 ethernet ports; and

at least two PCMCIA type 2 expansion ports.

36. The system as defined in claim 35 wherein the plurality of network ports further comprises at least one universal serial bus (USB) port.

37. The system as defined in claim 36 wherein the at least two PCI bus connectors are coupled to network card performing network functions, wherein the network functions are selected from the group of network functions comprising routers, switches, load balancers, bridges, firewalls, packet shapers, and servers.

38. The system as defined in claim 37 wherein the SBC further comprises a microprocessor that is selected from the group of microprocessors comprised of general purpose microprocessors and special purpose microprocessors.

39. The system as defined in claim 38 wherein the configuration software further comprises a software utility that enables drag-and-drop configuration of network components, to thereby simplify configuration of network components within the Open IP Services Platform.

40. The system as defined in claim 39 wherein the configuration software utilizes icons that are representative of the network components, wherein the icons are ActiveX modules that define the functions that are performed by the network components.

41. The system as defined in claim 40 wherein the switch/router board is a level 4 network device that is capable of communicating with other Open IP Services Platforms at wire speed.

42. The system as defined in claim 41 wherein the system further comprises a solid state refrigeration unit, where the refrigeration unit is disposed directly on a case of a hard drive, thereby directing cooling efforts directly on the most temperature sensitive device within the Open IP Services Platform.

27. A local network topology that decreases congestion on trunk lines between the local network structure and a global information network, said system comprising:

a local switch fabric network matrix as the local network topology, wherein the switch fabric network matrix is comprised of a plurality of network switching node devices; and

a connection from the local switch fabric network matrix to a trunk line, wherein the trunk line is in communication with the switch fabric network matrix and the global information network, thereby enabling transfer of data and voice communication therebetween.

43. A method for providing video-on-demand by creating a local network topology that decreases congestion on trunk lines between the local network structure and a global information network, and which stores videos on Open IP Services Platforms of the local network structure, said method comprising the steps of:

1) providing a local switch fabric network matrix as the local network topology, wherein the switch fabric network matrix is comprised of a plurality of Open IP Services Platforms;

2) providing a trunk line that is in communication with the switch fabric network matrix and the global information network, enabling transfer of data and voice communication therebetween; and

3) storing at least one digitized video on one of the plurality of Open IP Services Platforms, such that users within the local switch fabric network matrix that is storing the at least one digitized video receive video data of the at least one digitized video without having to receive the video data from outside the local switch fabric network matrix.

44. A local network topology that decreases congestion on trunk lines between the local network structure and a global information network, and which enables providing video-on-demand, said system comprising:

a local switch fabric network matrix as the local network topology, wherein the switch fabric network matrix is comprised of a plurality of Open IP Services Platforms;

at least one digitized video that is stored on at least one of the plurality of Open IP Services Platforms within the local switch fabric network matrix, wherein users within the local switch fabric network matrix receive video data of the at least one digitized video only from within the local switch fabric network matrix; and

a connection from the local switch fabric network matrix to a trunk line, wherein the trunk line is in communication with the switch fabric network matrix and the global information network, thereby enabling transfer of data and voice communication therebetween.