Method and Apparatus for Dynamically Configuring Virtual Internet Protocol Addresses

• US 20090106404A1
• Filed: 10/18/2007
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Christenson, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,972,547 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/222
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/677 Multiple interfaces, e.g. multihomed nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/00 Communication routing or communication path finding

Abstract

A host node connected to a network using an Internet Protocol automatically identifies multiple adapters connected to the same network, preferably by broadcasting a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) request for assignment of an IP address on a first adapter, and listening to the request on a second adapter, thereby determining that both adapters are on the same network. The host preferably causes an IP address to be generated for one of the adapters, and automatically configures the adapters to share the IP address thus generated as a virtual IP address, assigning one of the adapters as a primary adapter. Preferably, the host automatically detects deactivation of the primary adapter and switches the virtual address assignment to a different adapter.

Claims

1. A method of maintaining IP address configuration of a network connection, comprising the steps of:

transmitting an IP address configuration communication from a first adapter in a host coupled to a network, said IP address configuration communication being intended for a device on said network other than said host;

receiving said IP address configuration communication in a second adapter in said host coupled to said network;

responsive to receiving said IP address configuration communication in said second adapter, automatically determining that said first and second adapters are coupled to the same network; and

responsive to automatically determining that said first and second adapters are coupled to the same network, automatically performing at least one configuration step for configuring an IP address associated with at least one of said first and second adapters.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting an IP address configuration communication comprises transmitting a DHCPREQUEST consistent with the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of automatically performing at least one configuration step comprises automatically configuring a virtual IP address associated with a network connection between said host and said network.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said step of automatically performing at least one configuration step further comprises assigning one of said first adapter and said second adapter as a primary adapter for said virtual IP address.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of automatically performing at least one configuration step further comprises transmitting an ARP advertisement to at least one other device coupled to said network, said ARP advertisement associating said virtual IP address with a MAC address of said primary adapter.

6. A method of maintaining IP address configuration of a network connection, comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

automatically determining that a plurality of network adapters in a common host are coupled to a common network;

responsive to automatically determining that a plurality of network adapters in a common host are coupled to a common network, automatically configuring a virtual IP address associated with a network connection between said host and said network, said network connection being formed by said plurality of network adapters;

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of automatically configuring a virtual IP address associated with a network connection between said host and said network comprises the step of:

automatically generating said virtual IP address for said connection;

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of automatically generating said virtual IP address for said connection comprises requesting said virtual IP address from a server using a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of automatically configuring a virtual IP address associated with a network connection between said host and said common network comprises the steps of:

automatically assigning one of said plurality of network adapters as a primary adapter associated with said virtual IP address; and

automatically notifying at least one other device coupled to said network of the association of said primary adapter with said virtual IP address.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of automatically notifying at lest one other device coupled to said network of the association of said primary adapter with said virtual IP address comprises transmitting an ARP advertisement to at least one other device coupled to said network, said ARP advertisement associating said virtual IP address with a MAC address of said primary adapter.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

automatically determining that said primary adapter is no longer servicing a connection with said network;

responsive to automatically determining that said primary adapter is no longer servicing a connection with said network, assigning an alternate adapter as an adapter associated with said virtual IP address, said alternate adapter being one of said plurality of network adapters other than said primary adapter; and

automatically notifying at least one other device coupled to said network of the association of said alternate adapter with said virtual IP address.

12. A computer program product for maintaining a network connection, comprising:

a plurality of processor-executable instructions recorded on a computer-readable media, wherein said instructions, when executed by at least one processor of at least one digital data device coupled to a network, cause the device to perform the steps of;

transmitting an IP address configuration communication from a first adapter in said digital data device over said network, said IP address configuration communication being intended for a device on said network other than said digital data device;

receiving said IP address configuration communication in a second adapter in said digital data device coupled to said network;

responsive to receiving said IP address configuration communication in said second adapter, determining that said first and second adapters are coupled to the same network; and

responsive to determining that said first and second adapters are coupled to the same network, performing at least one configuration step for configuring an IP address associated with at least one of said first and second adapters.

13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein said step of performing at least one configuration step comprises configuring a virtual IP address associated with a network connection between said digital data device and said network.

14. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein said step of performing at least one configuration step comprises configuring at least one IP address in accordance with a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.

15. A digital data device for communicating with other digital data devices over at least one network, comprising:

at least one processor;

a memory coupled to said at least one processor;

a plurality of network adapters for communicating with at least one network;

a connection manager for managing network connections over said at least one network adapter, said connection manager including at least one function which detects that a subset of said plurality of said network adapters, said subset containing at least two said network adapters, are coupled to a common network, and responsive thereto, automatically configures a virtual IP address associated with a network connection between said digital data device and said common network, said network connection being formed by said subset of said network adapters.

16. The digital data device of claim 15, wherein said connection manager automatically causes said virtual IP address to be generated for said network connection between said digital data device and said common network.

17. The digital data device of claim 16, wherein said connection manager causes said virtual address to be generated by requesting said virtual IP address from a server coupled to said common network using a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.

18. The digital data device of claim 15, wherein said connection manager automatically configuring a virtual IP address associated with a network connection between said digital data device and said common network by assigning one network adapter of said subset as a primary adapter associated with said virtual IP address, and notifying at least one other device coupled to said common network of the association of said primary adapter with said virtual IP address.

19. The digital data device of claim 18, wherein said connection manager notifies at least one other device coupled to said common network of the association of said primary adapter with said virtual IP address by transmitting an ARP advertisement to at least one other device coupled to said network, said ARP advertisement associating said virtual IP address with a MAC address of said primary adapter.

20. The digital data device of claim 18, wherein said connection manager further automatically determines that said primary adapter is no longer servicing a connection with said common network, and responsive thereto, assigns an alternate adapter as an adapter associated with said virtual IP address, said alternate adapter being one of said subset of network adapters other than said primary adapter, and notifies at least one other device coupled to said network of the association of said alternate adapter with said virtual IP address.