Method and apparatus for learning VRRP backup routers
First Claim
1. A method for learning which Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) backup routers are configured to assume responsibility for a virtual IP address upon failure of a master VRRP router associated with the virtual IP address, the method comprising the steps of:
- causing a VRRP query message identifying the virtual IP address to be transmitted on a network to a set of VRRP backup routers on the network, the set of VRRP backup routers including both VRRP backup routers that are configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of the master VRRP router for the virtual IP address, and VRRP backup routers that are not configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of the master VRRP router for the virtual IP address; and
receiving, in response to the VRRP query message, VRRP response messages relating to the virtual IP address only from the VRRP backup routers in the set that are configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of the master VRRP router for the virtual IP address, and not receiving the VRRP response messages relating to the virtual IP address from the VRRP backup routers in the set that are not configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of the master VRRP router for the virtual IP address.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for learning the identity of VRRP backup router(s) for a VRRP master router enables the identity of VRRP backup routers to be determined quickly on demand, or enables a table of VRRP master and backup routers to be established over time. A VRRP query message type is defined as a type of VRRP message that will enable the routers on the network to be queried to determine which router(s) are VRRP backup routers for a virtual IP address associated with a VRRP master. The VRRP query message may be initiated by the VRRP master, a network management system, or another entity. The VRRP backup routers may respond with a VRRP response message, which is also defined as a type of VRRP message. The VRRP response message may be unicast to the VRRP master or network management system, or broadcast to enable a table of VRRP master/backup routers to be created.
22 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for learning which Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) backup routers are configured to assume responsibility for a virtual IP address upon failure of a master VRRP router associated with the virtual IP address, the method comprising the steps of:
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causing a VRRP query message identifying the virtual IP address to be transmitted on a network to a set of VRRP backup routers on the network, the set of VRRP backup routers including both VRRP backup routers that are configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of the master VRRP router for the virtual IP address, and VRRP backup routers that are not configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of the master VRRP router for the virtual IP address; and receiving, in response to the VRRP query message, VRRP response messages relating to the virtual IP address only from the VRRP backup routers in the set that are configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of the master VRRP router for the virtual IP address, and not receiving the VRRP response messages relating to the virtual IP address from the VRRP backup routers in the set that are not configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of the master VRRP router for the virtual IP address. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for learning a Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) backup router for a virtual IP address, the method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting, by a VRRP master router for the virtual IP address, a VRRP query message addressed to a set of potential VRRP backup routers, said VRRP query message identifying the virtual IP address, the set of potential VRRP backup routers including both VRRP backup routers that are configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of the master VRRP router for the virtual IP address, and a second subset of VRRP backup routers that are not configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of the master VRRP router for the virtual IP address; transmitting a VRRP response message in response to the VRRP query message, by at least one of VRRP backup routers that is configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of the master VRRP router for the virtual IP address; and not transmitting the VRRP response message in response to the VRRP query message by all VRRP backup routers that are not configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of the master VRRP router for the virtual IP address. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for providing information about a Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) router, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving, by the VRRP router, a VRRP query message identifying a virtual IP address and requesting information about the existence of a VRRP backup router for the virtual IP address; determining, by the VRRP router, whether the VRRP router is configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of a master VRRP router for the virtual IP address; and in response to said VRRP query message, transmitting by the VRRP router a VRRP response message indicating that the VRRP router is the VRRP backup router for the virtual IP address only if the VRRP router determines that it is configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of the master VRRP router for the address, and not transmitting the VRRP response message by the VRRP router if the VRRP router determines that it is not configured to assume responsibility for the virtual IP address upon failure of the master VRRP router for the address. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification