Virtual private networks for voice over networks applications

• US 7,120,682 B1
• Filed: 03/08/2001
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Salama, Hussein Farouk
• Primary Examiner(s): Wiley, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): NEURAUTER, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US09/802,716
• Time in Patent Office: 2,042 Days
• Field of Search: 709/231, 709/238, 709/222, 709/249, 370/352, 370/401, 379/900, 707/1
• US Class Current: 709/222
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4641 Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN] LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; encapsulation techniques H04L12/4633; routing of packets H04L45/00; packet switches H04L49/00; virtual private networks for security H04L63/0272
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4675 Dynamic sharing of VLAN information amongst network nodes configuration of the network or of network elements H04L41/08
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/90 Internet, e.g. Internet phone, webphone, internet-based telephony
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing

Abstract

A method for providing virtual private networks for voice over data network users. A location server is provided that has more than one routing information database. A virtual private network is defined within that location server for each of the routing information databases. As registration information from gateways is received, they are associated with the appropriate virtual private network.

Claims

1. A method for providing virtual private networks for voice over data network applications, the method comprising:

creating at least two routing information databases on a location server;

defining a voice virtual private network having a virtual private network identification such that each virtual private network corresponds to one of the routing information databases, wherein each routing information database maintains information for the virtual private network having a given virtual private network identification;

receiving registration information from at least two gateways in communication with the location server, wherein the registration information allows identification of a virtual private network; and

associating each gateway with one of the voice virtual private networks by associating each gateway with a virtual private network identification.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises assigning an identifier for each virtual private network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises communicating the registration information to other location servers in the same network telephony administrative domain.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data network uses Internet Protocol.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the routing information database is a telephony routing over IP routing information base.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises leaking a global routing information database to a routing information database for a particular virtual private network.

7. A network device, comprising:

more than one routing information database wherein each routing information database is associated with a different virtual private network, the virtual private network identifiable by a virtual private network identification;

at least one port operable to receive registration information from gateways in communication with the network device; and

an association table operable to associate each routing information base with a different virtual private network and each gateway with a different routing information base.

8. The network device of claim 7, wherein the device further comprises an interface through which the device communicates with other devices having routing information databases to synchronize information contained in the routing information databases between the devices.

9. The network device of claim 7, wherein the device is a server.

10. The network device of claim 7, wherein the device is a router.

12. The article of claim 10, wherein the instructions further comprise a downloadable file.

11. An article comprising a processor having instructions stored in memory that, when executed, result in:

creation of at least two routing information databases on a network device;

association of a different voice virtual private network with each routing information database such that each routing information database is associated with a different virtual private network by a virtual private network identification;

reception of registration information from gateways in communication with the location server; and

association of each gateway with one of the virtual private networks.

13. A network device, comprising:

means for providing more than one routing information base;

means for defining a voice virtual private network such that each virtual private network corresponds to one of the routing information databases, wherein each routing information database is associated with a different virtual private network, the virtual private network identifiable by a virtual private network identification;

means for receiving registration information from gateways in communication with the network device; and

means for associating each gateway with one of the voice virtual private networks.