Distributed autonomous object architectures for network layer routing
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of providing network routing services, including servicing and forwarding data packets, in a communications network including a plurality of interconnected multi-protocol routers, the data and methods for providing such services being united into fundamental logical building blocks of classes and objects, the method comprising:
- providing a router resource object class for instantiating an autonomous router object, the router object including data and methods for;
a) routing and system functions for forwarding and servicing data packets;
b) configuration and control of network interfaces; and
c) management of routing and system functions;
initializing each router object by instantiating a plurality of base objects common to a number of interconnectivity protocols and technologies;
binding each of the base objects to one or more protocols or network interfaces to provide protocol-specific bound objects; and
in response to arrival of a data packet at one of the routers, calling one of the protocol-specific bound objects in order to service or forward the data packet.
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Abstract
An object-oriented architecture for network layer routing is provided which distributes function and system behavior into autonomous router objects. By distributing these functionalities into each object, the services and data normally external to the object are imbedded or accessible within the object itself. In another sense, some objects are distributed across the network; e.g., a separate forwarding engine is provided at each network interface. In a preferred embodiment, each object has: (1) common, protocol-independent functions that are shared by all objects of that class; (2) their own configuration information; (3) accessibility through a router resource object for instantiation and control; (4) automatic persistence in NVRAM; (5) remote management capabilities; and (6) text names for navigation of a resource tree as a file system. These capabilities are in every object regardless of the specific protocol or application. This ensures a common architecture among many different systems/router components, a common method of control internally, a consistent order of instantiation and a common functional behavior.
384 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of providing network routing services, including servicing and forwarding data packets, in a communications network including a plurality of interconnected multi-protocol routers, the data and methods for providing such services being united into fundamental logical building blocks of classes and objects, the method comprising:
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providing a router resource object class for instantiating an autonomous router object, the router object including data and methods for; a) routing and system functions for forwarding and servicing data packets; b) configuration and control of network interfaces; and c) management of routing and system functions; initializing each router object by instantiating a plurality of base objects common to a number of interconnectivity protocols and technologies; binding each of the base objects to one or more protocols or network interfaces to provide protocol-specific bound objects; and in response to arrival of a data packet at one of the routers, calling one of the protocol-specific bound objects in order to service or forward the data packet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for providing network routing services, including forwarding and servicing data packets, in a communications network including a plurality of interconnected multi-protocol routers, the apparatus comprising:
a processor and memory with a program of instructions wherein data and methods for providing network routing services are united into fundamental logical building blocks of classes and objects, the instructions including; means for defining a router resource object class for instantiating an autonomous router object, the router object including data and methods for; a) routing and system functions for forwarding and servicing data packets; b) configuration and control of network interfaces; c) management of routing and system functions; means for instantiating a plurality of base objects common to a number of interconnectivity protocols and technologies; means for binding each of the base objects to one or more protocols or network interfaces to provide protocol-specific bound objects; and in response to arrival of a data packet at one of the routers, means for calling one of the protocol-specific bound objects in order to service or forward the data packet. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
Specification