System and method for the virtual aggregation of network links
First Claim
1. A system for the virtual aggregation of network links comprising:
- a load balancing and link selection module configured to direct an information packet to a first network interface selected from a plurality of network interfaces based on a load balancing algorithm;
a packet routing module configured to accept said information packet from said load balancing and link selection module and modify at least one address in said information packet for transmission via said first network interface selected from said a plurality of network interfaces; and
, a packet processor comprising said packet routing module and said load balancing and link selection module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for virtual link aggregation for combining network links of various types and speeds to increase throughput and reliability for packetized transport. In contrast with physical port trunking, the system does not require direct control over ports or network interfaces. Instead, the system rewrites packet addresses and works through existing networking equipment, without requiring any new or special protocols, processing, or equipment within the network. The system works through low-level rerouting by rewriting hardware addresses and/or high-level routing by rewriting logical addresses. Thus packets are redirected through multiple routes to a common destination via alternate gateways and links. Different algorithms may be employed to balance the load on each link and determine an optimal route for each packet. Embodiments may also employ packet flow or stream identification and thereby only provide link aggregation for a specified set of packet flows.
235 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for the virtual aggregation of network links comprising:
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a load balancing and link selection module configured to direct an information packet to a first network interface selected from a plurality of network interfaces based on a load balancing algorithm;
a packet routing module configured to accept said information packet from said load balancing and link selection module and modify at least one address in said information packet for transmission via said first network interface selected from said a plurality of network interfaces; and
,a packet processor comprising said packet routing module and said load balancing and link selection module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for the virtual aggregation of network links comprising:
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load balancing and performing link selection to direct an information packet to a first network interface selected from a plurality of network interfaces based on a load balancing algorithm;
receiving said information packet in a packet routing module;
modifying at least one address in said information packet in said packet routing module; and
, transmitting said information packet via said first network interface selected from said a plurality of network interfaces. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification