Method and system for data link layer address classification

• US 20060215655A1
• Filed: 03/25/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Siu, Wai-tak
• Granted Patent: US 7,715,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/389
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/622 Layer-2 addresses, e.g. medium access control [MAC] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/10 of different types

Abstract

A method and system for data link layer address classification. Data link layer address information is received from a device over a local area network (LAN), wherein the LAN is partitioned into a plurality of domains. The data link layer address information is classified as being associated with a domain of the plurality of domains based on a source address of the device. The data link layer address information is assigned to the domain.

Claims

1. A method for data link layer address classification, said method comprising:

receiving data link layer address information from a device over a local area network (LAN), wherein said local area network (LAN) is partitioned into a plurality of domains;

classifying said data link layer address information as being associated with a domain of said plurality of domains based on a source address of said device; and

assigning said data link layer address information to said domain.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said data link layer address information is comprised within an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) packet.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said data link layer address information is Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) information.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said assigning said data link layer address information to said domain comprises storing said data link layer address information in a data link layer address lookup table associated with said domain.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said classifying said data link layer address information comprises:

determining whether said source address is associated with a domain of said plurality of domains; and

provided said source address is not associated with a domain of said plurality of domains, classifying said data link layer address information as being associated with a default domain of said plurality of domains.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising transmitting a data link layer address information request to said device over said local area network (LAN).

7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said transmitting said data link layer address information request is executed to learn the data link address of said device.

8. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said transmitting said data link layer address information request is executed periodically.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein each domain of said plurality of domains is associated with a different Internet protocol (IP) subnet of said local area network (LAN).

10. A electronic device comprising:

a bus;

a first interface coupled to a local area network (LAN) partitioned into a plurality of domains;

a second interface coupled to distributed computer network

a computer-readable memory coupled to said bus; and

a processor coupled to said bus, said processor for executing a method for supporting data link layer address classification, said method comprising;

receiving data link layer address information from a device coupled to said first interface;

classifying said data link layer address information as being associated with a domain of said plurality of domains based on a source address of said device; and

assigning said data link layer address information to said domain.

11. The electronic device as recited in claim 10 wherein said data link layer address information is comprised within an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) packet.

12. The electronic device as recited in claim 10 wherein said data link layer address information is Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) information.

13. The electronic device as recited in claim 10 wherein said assigning said data link layer address information to said domain comprises storing said data link layer address information in a data link layer address lookup table associated with said domain.

14. The electronic device as recited in claim 10 wherein said classifying said data link layer address information comprises:

determining whether said source address is associated with a domain of said plurality of domains; and

provided said source address is not associated with a domain of said plurality of domains, classifying said data link layer address information as being associated with a default domain of said plurality of domains.

15. The electronic device as recited in claim 10 wherein said method further comprises transmitting a data link layer address information request to said device over said local area network (LAN).

16. The electronic device as recited in claim 10 wherein each domain of said plurality of domains is associated with a different Internet protocol (IP) subnet of said local area network (LAN).

17. A system for data link layer address classification, said system comprising:

means for receiving data link layer address information from a device over a local area network (LAN), wherein said local area network (LAN) is partitioned into a plurality of domains;

means for classifying said data link layer address information as being associated with a domain of said plurality of domains based on a source address of said device; and

means for assigning said data link layer address information to said domain.

18. The system as recited in claim 17 wherein said means for assigning said data link layer address information to said domain comprises means for storing said data link layer address information in a data link layer address lookup table associated with said domain.

19. The system as recited in claim 17 wherein said means for classifying said data link layer address information comprises:

means for determining whether said source address is associated with a domain of said plurality of domains; and

means for classifying said data link layer address information as being associated with a default domain of said plurality of domains provided said source address is not associated with a domain of said plurality of domains.

20. The system as recited in claim 17 further comprising means for transmitting a data link layer address information request to said device over said local area network (LAN).