Apparatus and method for classifying packets
First Claim
1. A method for directing packets from a first network to a second network, packets of said first network following a predetermined protocol employing global addressing, packets of said first network having a source identification code, a destination code, and a service code, said second network offering the benefit of one of a plurality of service classes, the method comprising the steps of:
- extracting the source identification code and the service code from packets of the first network;
using the source identification code to lookup a corresponding code indicating permission with respect to the service classes; and
issuing packets onto the second network with the benefit of a permissible one of the service classes, the permissible one of the service classes being allocated consistent with the service code if the service code is consistent with the corresponding code.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus can direct packets from a first network to a second network, e.g., a backbone network. Packets of the first network follow a predetermined protocol employing global addressing. Packets of the first network have a source identification code, a destination code, and a service code. The second network offers the benefit of one of a plurality of service classes. A host (in some case in cooperation with a gateway) can (a) originate at least some of the packets and set the source identification code, the destination code, and the service code for the packets, and (b) send the packets from the host on at least one hop consistent with the destination code. An edge router can transfer the packets to the second network offering the benefit of one or more service classes. The edge router has an input device and an output device. The input device can extract from the packets the source identification code and the service code. A table stored in the edge router can use the source identification code drawn from the input device to lookup a corresponding code indicating permission with respect to the service classes. A permissible one of the service classes is allocated consistent with the service code if the service code is consistent with the corresponding code. The output device communicates with the input device and can send the packets onto the second network with the benefit of the permissible one of the service classes.
65 Citations
61 Claims
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1. A method for directing packets from a first network to a second network, packets of said first network following a predetermined protocol employing global addressing, packets of said first network having a source identification code, a destination code, and a service code, said second network offering the benefit of one of a plurality of service classes, the method comprising the steps of:
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extracting the source identification code and the service code from packets of the first network;
using the source identification code to lookup a corresponding code indicating permission with respect to the service classes; and
issuing packets onto the second network with the benefit of a permissible one of the service classes, the permissible one of the service classes being allocated consistent with the service code if the service code is consistent with the corresponding code. - 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, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 48, 49)
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32. Apparatus for directing packets from a first network to a second network, packets of said first network following a predetermined protocol employing global addressing, packets of said first network having a source identification code, a destination code, and a service code, said second network offering the benefit of one of a plurality of service classes, the apparatus comprising:
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an input device adapted to be coupled to said first network for extracting from packets the source identification code and the service code;
a table coupled to said input device for using the source identification code to lookup a corresponding code indicating permission with respect to the service classes, a permissible one of the service classes being allocated consistent with the service code if the service code is consistent with the corresponding code; and
an output device adapted to be coupled to said second network, said output device being in communication with said input device for issuing packets with the benefit of the permissible one of the service classes. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 50, 51, 52)
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53. Apparatus for directing packets from a first network to a second network, packets of said first network following a predetermined protocol employing global addressing, packets of said first network having a source identification code, a destination code, and a service code, said second network offering the benefit of one of a plurality of service classes, the apparatus comprising:
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a host for (a) originating at least some of the packets and setting the source identification code, the destination code, and the service code for the packets, and (b) sending the packets from the host on at least one hop over the first network consistent with the destination code; and
an edge router for receiving packets over the first network from the host and for transferring the packets to the second network using different ones of service classes, the edge router comprising;
an input device adapted to be connected to the first network for extracting from packets the source identification code and the service code;
a table coupled to said input device for using the source identification code to lookup a corresponding code indicating permission with respect to the service classes, a permissible one of the service classes being allocated consistent with the service code if the service code is consistent with the corresponding code; and
an output device adapted to be connected to the second network, said output device being in communication with said input device for sending packets onto the second network with the benefit of the permissible one of the service classes. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55)
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56. Apparatus for directing packets from a first network to a second network, packets of said first network following a predetermined protocol employing global addressing, packets of said first network having a source identification code, a destination code, and a service code, said second network offering the benefit of one of a plurality of service classes, the apparatus comprising:
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a host for (a) originating at least some of the packets and setting the source identification code and the destination code for the packets, and (b) sending the packets from the host on at least one hop over the first network consistent with the destination code; and
a gateway coupled to the host over the first network for (a) setting the service code for the packets produced by the host, and (b) sending the packets reaching the gateway from the host on at least one hop over the first network consistent with the destination code; and
an edge router coupled to said gateway over said first network for transferring packets to the second network, the edge router comprising;
an input device adapted to be coupled to said first network for extracting from packets the source identification code and the service code;
a table coupled to said input device for using the source identification code to lookup a corresponding code indicating permission with respect to the service classes, a permissible one of the service classes being allocated consistent with the service code if the service code is consistent with the corresponding code; and
an output device adapted to be coupled to said second network, said output device being in communication with said input device for issuing packets with the benefit of the permissible one of the service classes. - View Dependent Claims (57)
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58. Apparatus for directing from a first network packets following a predetermined protocol employing global addressing, packets of said first network having a source identification code, a destination code, and a service code, the apparatus comprising:
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a second network offering the benefit of one or more service classes;
an edge router for transferring packets to the second network using different ones of the service classes, the edge router comprising;
an input device adapted to be connected to the first network for extracting from packets the source identification code and the service code;
a table coupled to said input device for using the source identification code to lookup a corresponding code indicating permission with respect to the service classes, a permissible one of the service classes being allocated consistent with the service code if the service code is consistent with the corresponding code; and
an output device adapted to be connected to the second network, said output device being in communication with said input device for sending packets onto the second network with the benefit of the permissible one of the service classes.
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59. A method for directing packets from a first network to a second network, packets of said first network following a predetermined protocol employing global addressing, packets of said first network having a source identification code, a destination code, and a service code, said second network offering the benefit of one of a plurality of service classes, the method comprising the steps of:
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extracting the destination code and the service code from packets of the first network;
using the destination code to lookup a corresponding code indicating permission with respect to the service classes; and
issuing packets onto the second network with the benefit of a permissible one of the service classes, the permissible one of the service classes being allocated consistent with the service code if the service code is consistent with the corresponding code. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61)
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Specification