Method and apparatus for managing virtual circuits and routing packets in a network/subnetwork environment
First Claim
1. A method for managing virtual circuits in a network having a connection-oriented subnetwork, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining existing paths to an exit router;
determining existing path qualities associated with each of said paths to said exit router;
determining an optimal path quality associated with an optimal path to said exit router; and
determining a benefit and a cost associated with rerouting an existing virtual circuit; and
rerouting said existing virtual circuit if said optimal path quality exceeds said existing path qualities and said benefit exceeds said cost associated with modifying an existing virtual circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for managing virtual circuits and determining proper routing of packets in a network environment. The network includes a connection-oriented subnetwork and an arrangement of routers coupled to the connection-oriented subnetwork. The system determines paths to each exit router by considering all possible paths through the connection-oriented subnetwork. The system also determines paths to each exit router by considering existing virutal circuits through the connection-oriented subnetwork. Finally, the system determines and establishes a most beneficial new virtual circuit for the network. Additionally, the rate at which new virtual circuits are established may be regulated by the system.
191 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for managing virtual circuits in a network having a connection-oriented subnetwork, said method comprising the steps of:
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determining existing paths to an exit router; determining existing path qualities associated with each of said paths to said exit router; determining an optimal path quality associated with an optimal path to said exit router; and determining a benefit and a cost associated with rerouting an existing virtual circuit; and rerouting said existing virtual circuit if said optimal path quality exceeds said existing path qualities and said benefit exceeds said cost associated with modifying an existing virtual circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for man aging the establishment of new virtual circuits in a network having a connection-oriented subnetwork, said method comprising the steps of:
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determining a number of outstanding virtual circuit setup requests; determining a number of existing virtual circuits in said network; comparing said number of outstanding virtual circuit requests and said number of existing virtual circuits with a maximum value; and establishing a new virtual circuit if said maximum value is less than said number of outstanding virtual circuit requests and said number of existing virtual circuits. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for determining whether to establish a new virtual circuit in a network having a connection-oriented subnetwork, said method comprising the steps of:
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determining a benefit associated with establishing the new virtual circuit; determining a cost associated with establishing the new virtual circuit; comparing said benefit of the new virtual circuit with said cost of the new virtual circuit; and establishing the new virtual circuit if said benefit exceeds said cost. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for managing the establishment of new virtual circuits in a network having a connection-oriented subnetwork, said apparatus comprising:
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a determination mechanism configured to determine a number of outstanding virtual circuit setup requests, and wherein the determination mechanism is further configured to determine a number of existing virtual circuits in said network; a comparison mechanism configured to compare said number of outstanding virtual circuit requests and said number of existing virtual circuits with a maximum value; and a virtual circuit establishment mechanism configured to establish a new virtual circuit if said maximum value is less than said number of outstanding virtual circuit requests and said number of existing virtual circuits.
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Specification