Providing services for multiple virtual private networks
First Claim
1. A router comprising:
- a plurality of interfaces to receive data from multiple virtual private networks;
a service card to provide an operating environment for one or more virtual hosts; and
a control unit that maintains a forwarding information base that associates network destinations with next hops within a network;
wherein the forwarding information base designates the service card as a next hop to the router within the network,wherein the control unit forwards virtual private network (VPN) traffic received from the network to the service card as specified in accordance with the forwarding information base, andwherein each virtual host operates as a network device within one of the virtual private networks to process the received data and provide a service to another network device within the respective virtual private network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network device provides services for multiple virtual private networks (VPNs) via one or more virtual hosts. For example, a router receives packets from multiple VPNs, and communicates the packets to a service card via a logical interface in accordance with a forwarding information base. A virtual host within the service card processes the packets and provides a service for the network device from which the packet was sent. The virtual host may, for example, provide print services for network devices within a corresponding VPN. The virtual host acts, in essence, as a print server within the corresponding VPN. In this manner, the router may eliminate the need for the customer associated with the VPN to maintain print servers within remote customer sites.
79 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A router comprising:
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a plurality of interfaces to receive data from multiple virtual private networks; a service card to provide an operating environment for one or more virtual hosts; and a control unit that maintains a forwarding information base that associates network destinations with next hops within a network; wherein the forwarding information base designates the service card as a next hop to the router within the network, wherein the control unit forwards virtual private network (VPN) traffic received from the network to the service card as specified in accordance with the forwarding information base, and wherein each virtual host operates as a network device within one of the virtual private networks to process the received data and provide a service to another network device within the respective virtual private network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method comprising:
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receiving virtual private network traffic from multiple virtual private networks; providing an operating environment within a service card for one or more virtual hosts, wherein each of the virtual hosts operates as a network device within one of the virtual private networks; forwarding the virtual private network traffic to the virtual hosts in accordance with one or more forwarding information bases that associate network destinations with next hops in a network, wherein the forwarding information bases designate the service card as a next hop within the network; and processing the virtual private network traffic via the virtual hosts to provide a service to another network device within the respective virtual private network via the virtual hosts. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions to cause a processor to:
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receive virtual private network traffic from multiple virtual private networks; provide an operating environment within a service card for one or more virtual hosts, wherein each of the virtual hosts operates as a network device within one of the virtual private networks; forwarding the virtual private network traffic to the virtual hosts in accordance with one or more forwarding information bases that associate network destinations with next hops in a network, wherein the forwarding information bases designate the service card as a next hop, within the network; and process the virtual private network traffic via the virtual hosts to provide a service to another network device within the respective virtual private network via the virtual hosts. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification