Redundant internet protocol gateways using local area network emulation
First Claim
1. An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) communications network including an emulated local area network (ELAN) having redundant default gateways, comprising:
- a first router and a second router, said first router being associated with a primary default gateway and said second router being associated with a backup default gateway, wherein said primary default gateway and said backup default gateway are connected to said ELAN and configured with a default gateway internet protocol (IP) address and a default gateway media access control (MAC) address;
said default gateways being operable in a first mode of operation, whereinsaid primary default gateway registers said default gateway MAC address, thereby becoming an active default gateway;
said backup default gateway attempts to register said default gateway MAC address; and
said backup default gateway waits for a period of time and attempts to register said default gateway MAC address, said attempt by said backup default gateway to register said default gateway MAC address being unsuccessful while said primary default gateway is an active default gateway.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ELAN having redundant default gateways is attached to an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) communications network. The ELAN'"'"'s redundant default gateways are comprised of a first and second routers. The first router is associated with a primary default gateway and the second router is associated with a backup default gateway. Both the primary and backup default gateways are connected to the ELAN and both the primary and backup default gateways are configured with a default gateway IP address and associated MAC address. Initially, the primary default gateway registers the default gateway MAC address, thereby becoming the active default gateway. While the primary default gateway is active, the backup default gateway continually attempts to register the default gateway MAC address. When the primary default gateway fails, the backup default gateway will be able to successfully register the default gateway MAC address and take over the responsibilities of the primary default gateway and become the active default gateway.
64 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) communications network including an emulated local area network (ELAN) having redundant default gateways, comprising:
-
a first router and a second router, said first router being associated with a primary default gateway and said second router being associated with a backup default gateway, wherein said primary default gateway and said backup default gateway are connected to said ELAN and configured with a default gateway internet protocol (IP) address and a default gateway media access control (MAC) address; said default gateways being operable in a first mode of operation, wherein said primary default gateway registers said default gateway MAC address, thereby becoming an active default gateway; said backup default gateway attempts to register said default gateway MAC address; and said backup default gateway waits for a period of time and attempts to register said default gateway MAC address, said attempt by said backup default gateway to register said default gateway MAC address being unsuccessful while said primary default gateway is an active default gateway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method of communicating using an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) communications network including an emulated local area network (ELAN), having redundant default gateways, said method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a first router and a second router, said first router being associated with a primary default gateway and said second router being associated with a backup default gateway, wherein said primary default gateway and said backup default gateway are connected to said ELAN and configured with a default gateway internet protocol (IP) address and a default gateway media access control (MAC) address; registering said default gateway MAC address, using the primary default gateway, thereby making the primary default gateway an active default gateway; attempting to register said default gateway MAC address using said backup default gateway; waiting for a period of time; and attempting to register said default gateway MAC address using said backup default gateway, wherein said attempt by said backup default gateway to register said default gateway MAC address is unsuccessful while said primary default gateway is an active default gateway. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. An emulated local access network (ELAN) having redundant default gateways, said ELAN comprising:
-
an end station; a first router; a second router; means for associating said first router with a primary default gateway; means for associating said second router with a backup default gateway; means for configuring said first router and said second router to include a unique address pair and a shared address pair, wherein each said address pair includes a network address and a media access control address; means for registering said shared media access control address on behalf of said first router such that said primary default gateway becomes an active default gateway; means for periodically attempting to register said shared media access control address on behalf of said second router such that said backup default gateway may become said active default gateway in response to a failure of said primary default gateway; and means for configuring said end station to include said shared network address such that said end station may transmit data from said ELAN utilizing said active default gateway. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification