Secure distribution and use of weighted network topology information
First Claim
1. A topology information manager in a distributed computer system, the topology information manager comprising:
- an authentication component for authenticating requests regarding information about the topology of at least a portion of the distributed computer system;
a response component for providing responses to such requests; and
a storage component for storing topology information, the storage component being configured by topology information in the form of a hidden path which includes an identification of at least two end nodes of a hidden path and which omits topology information about at least one path between the two end nodes.
16 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, systems, signals, and devices are provided for managing and using topology information in a network. A topology information manager keeps fragments of network topology and provides access to entire fragments or to fragment summaries in response to authenticated requests. An authenticated path selector uses topology information from the manager to select message routes. The path selector may use summaries of hidden network paths to determine whether the hidden path is desirable, without having access to all topological information about the hidden path. Messages may be forwarded over hidden paths by the manager without disclosing more than the summary information to the message provider.
-
Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A topology information manager in a distributed computer system, the topology information manager comprising:
-
an authentication component for authenticating requests regarding information about the topology of at least a portion of the distributed computer system;
a response component for providing responses to such requests; and
a storage component for storing topology information, the storage component being configured by topology information in the form of a hidden path which includes an identification of at least two end nodes of a hidden path and which omits topology information about at least one path between the two end nodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8)
a request component for making an authenticated request to the topology information manager and receiving a response; and
a path selection Component for selecting at least one path based at least in part on topology information provided in response to the authenticated request.
-
-
7. The topology information manager of claim 1, wherein the topology information manager is located on a single node of the distributed computer system.
-
8. The topology information manager of claim 7 in combination with at least one other topology information manager which is located on at least one other node of the distributed computer system.
-
4. A computer storage medium having a configuration that represents data and instructions which will cause performance of method steps for managing network topology information in a computer network, the method comprising the steps of:
-
receiving a topology information management request;
authenticating the request; and
managing hidden path topology information in response to the authenticated request. - View Dependent Claims (22, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
9. A path selector in a distributed computer system, the path selector comprising:
-
a request component for making an authenticated request for topology information and receiving a response; and
a path selection component for selecting at least one path based at least in part on topology information provided in response to the authenticated request, the path selection component configured to select a path using topology information in the form of a hidden path which includes an identification of at least two end nodes of a hidden path and which omits topology information about at least one path between the two end nodes. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
an authentication component for authenticating requests for access to topology information;
a response component for providing responses to such requests; and
a storage component for storing topology information.
-
-
13. The path selector of claim 9, wherein the path selector is located on a single node of the distributed computer system.
-
14. The path selector of claim 13 in combination with at least one other path selector which is located on at least one other node of the distributed computer system.
-
15. A set of data signals embodied in a network connection for topology fragment management, the data signals comprising:
-
at least one topology information management request made by a requester;
at least one authentication signal containing identification and credential data of the requester; and
at least one topology information hidden path signal which includes an identification of at least two end nodes of a hidden path and which omits topology information about at least one path between the two end nodes. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method for managing network topology information in a computer network, comprising the steps of:
-
receiving a request for topology information about the network;
authenticating the request;
providing topology information in response to the authenticated request; and
selecting at least one path based at least in part on at least one hidden path provided by the providing step. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification