On-demand overlay routing for computer-based communication networks
First Claim
1. A method for determining an optimized path for transmitting a message from a source to a destination within a packet-switched computer-based communications network, the method comprising the following steps:
- a) in response to a request to transmit the message, measuring a cost from the source to the destination along a default path, the default path being derived by means of one or more existing routing mechanisms of the communications network;
b) measuring an alternative cost of transmitting the message from the source to the destination along at least one alternative path, the alternative path passing through one or more intermediate nodes not on the default path;
c) determining the optimized path by comparing the default cost and the alternative cost.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for dynamically discovering and utilizing an optimized network path through overlay routing for the transmission of data. A determination whether to use a default network path or to instead use an alternate data forwarding path through one or more overlay nodes is based on real-time measurement of costs associated with the alternative paths, in response to a user request for transmission of message data to a destination on the network. Cost metrics include delay, throughput, jitter, loss, and security. The system chooses the best path among the default forwarding path and the multiple alternate forwarding paths, and implements appropriate control actions to force data transmission along the chosen path. No modification of established network communication protocols is required.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for determining an optimized path for transmitting a message from a source to a destination within a packet-switched computer-based communications network, the method comprising the following steps:
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a) in response to a request to transmit the message, measuring a cost from the source to the destination along a default path, the default path being derived by means of one or more existing routing mechanisms of the communications network;
b) measuring an alternative cost of transmitting the message from the source to the destination along at least one alternative path, the alternative path passing through one or more intermediate nodes not on the default path;
c) determining the optimized path by comparing the default cost and the alternative cost. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for determining an optimized path for transmitting a message from a source to a destination within a computer-based communications network having a static topology, the method comprising the following steps:
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a) in response to a request to transmit the message, measuring a cost from the source to the destination along a default path, the default path being derived by means of one or more existing routing mechanisms of the communications network;
b) measuring an alternative cost of transmitting the message from the source to the destination along at least one alternative path, the alternative path passing through one or more intermediate nodes not on the default path;
c) determining the optimized path by comparing the default cost and the alternative cost. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. An overlay network apparatus for determining an optimized path for transmitting a message from a source to a destination within a packet-switched computer-based communications network, the communications network being characterized by one or more established communications protocols, the apparatus comprising:
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a) a set of one or more intermediate nodes, the intermediate nodes being operable to transmit and receive data in conformance with the established communications protocols;
b) alternate path discovery means, responsive to a request for transmitting the message from the source to the destination, operable to discover an alternate path between the source and the destination passing through one or more of the intermediate nodes not on the default path; and
c) forwarding means for forwarding the message from the source to the destination by way of the alternative path, without requiring a modification of the established communications protocols.
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28. An apparatus for conducting an electronic commerce transaction between a first party and a second party, the first and second party being respectively connected to a computer-based communications network by way of a first and second network node, the communications network being characterized by one or more established communications protocols, the apparatus comprising:
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a) a set of one or more intermediate nodes, the intermediate nodes being operable to transmit and receive data in conformance with the established communications protocols;
b) alternate path discovery means, responsive to a request to transmit a communication from the first node to the second node as a part of the electronic commerce transaction, said alternate path discovery means being operable to discover an alternate path between the first node and the second node passing through one or more of the intermediate nodes not on the default path; and
c) forwarding means for forwarding the message from the first node to the second node by way of the alternative path, without requiring a modification of the established communications protocols.
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29. A method for exchanging a message and a reply between a source and a destination within a computer-based communications network, wherein the network includes one or more existing routing mechanisms for deriving a default path for communication between multiple points on the network, the method comprising the following steps:
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a) identifying one or more intermediate nodes that are not on the default path for communication between the source and the destination;
b) transmitting the message from the source to a first one of the one or more intermediate nodes, c) transmitting the message from a last one of the one or more intermediate nodes to the destination, and modifying source address information for the message so as to replace an identification of the source with an identification of the last intermediate node, d) receiving, at the last intermediate node, the reply from the destination e) transmitting the reply from the first intermediate node to the source, whereby the message and the reply are exchanged between the source and the destination by way of a non-default communication path. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification