Technique for enabling multiple virtual filers on a single filer to participate in multiple address spaces with overlapping network addresses

• US 20050144292A1
• Filed: 01/31/2005
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gaurav Banga, Mark Muhlestein, Mark Smith
• Original Assignee: Gaurav Banga, Mark Muhlestein, Mark Smith
• Inventors: Banga, Gaurav, Smith, Mark, Muhlestein, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,512,744 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/10 of different types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5061 Pools of addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A method for enabling a server configured with a plurality of virtual servers to participate in a plurality of private network address spaces and service requests within those address spaces is disclosed. Each virtual server is associated with an IPspace. Each network interface is tagged with an IPspace identifier (ID). Each virtual server is provided with one or more routing tables that control routing operations for requests processed by the virtual server. The IPspace ID is applied to translation procedures that enable selection of a virtual server to process an incoming request, and an appropriate routing table used to process an outgoing request.

Claims

1. A method for enabling a server configured with a plurality of virtual servers to participate in a plurality of private network address spaces and service requests within those address spaces, the method comprising the steps of:

associating each virtual server with an IPspace;

tagging each network interface with an IPspace identifier (ID);

providing each virtual server with one or more routing tables that control routing operations for requests processed by the virtual server; and

applying the IPspace ID to translation procedures that enable selection of a virtual server to process an incoming request, and an appropriate routing table used to process an outgoing request.