Managing host routes for local computer networks with a plurality of field area routers
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- advertising, into a global computer network, from a particular field area router (FAR) in a local computer network having a plurality of FARs, a common subnet prefix assigned to the local computer network, wherein each of the plurality of FARs of the local computer network is configured to accept any traffic destined to the local computer network;
building a tunnel overlay among the plurality of FARs of the local computer network;
receiving a packet at the particular FAR destined to a particular device in the local computer network; and
in response to the particular FAR not having a host route to the particular device, selecting a specific FAR of the plurality of FARs to forward the packet to on the tunnel overlay and forwarding the packet on the tunnel overlay to the selected FAR,wherein the tunnel overlay is fully connected, andwherein selecting the specific FAR of the plurality of FARs to which to forward the packet on the tunnel overlay is based on the specific FAR not having already received the packet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, a particular field area router (FAR), in a local computer network (e.g., a mesh network) having a plurality of FARs, advertises a common subnet prefix assigned to the local computer network into a global computer network. Each of the plurality of FARs of the local computer network is configured to accept any traffic destined to the local computer network, and a tunnel overlay is built among the plurality of FARs. Upon receiving a packet at the particular FAR destined to a particular device in the local computer network, and in response to the particular FAR not having a host route to the particular device, it forwards the packet on the tunnel overlay to another of the plurality of FARs of the local computer network.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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advertising, into a global computer network, from a particular field area router (FAR) in a local computer network having a plurality of FARs, a common subnet prefix assigned to the local computer network, wherein each of the plurality of FARs of the local computer network is configured to accept any traffic destined to the local computer network; building a tunnel overlay among the plurality of FARs of the local computer network; receiving a packet at the particular FAR destined to a particular device in the local computer network; and in response to the particular FAR not having a host route to the particular device, selecting a specific FAR of the plurality of FARs to forward the packet to on the tunnel overlay and forwarding the packet on the tunnel overlay to the selected FAR, wherein the tunnel overlay is fully connected, and wherein selecting the specific FAR of the plurality of FARs to which to forward the packet on the tunnel overlay is based on the specific FAR not having already received the packet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13)
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9. A method, comprising:
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advertising, into a global computer network, from a particular field area router (FAR) in a local computer network having a plurality of FARs, a common subnet prefix assigned to the local computer network, wherein each of the plurality of FARs of the local computer network is configured to accept any traffic destined to the local computer network; building a tunnel overlay among the plurality of FARs of the local computer network; receiving a packet at the particular FAR destined to a particular device in the local computer network; and in response to the particular FAR not having a host route to the particular device, selecting a specific FAR of the plurality of FARs to forward the packet to on the tunnel overlay and forwarding the packet on the tunnel overlay to the selected FAR, wherein the tunnel overlay is a ring, and wherein selecting a specific FAR of the plurality of FARs to which to forward the packet on the tunnel overlay is based on the specific FAR being a next FAR on the ring. - View Dependent Claims (10, 19, 20, 21)
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14. An apparatus, comprising:
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a network interface to communicate in a local computer network having a plurality of field area routers (FARs); a network interface to communicate in a global computer network; a processor coupled to the network interfaces and adapted to execute one or more processes; and a memory configured to store a FAR process executable by the processor, the process when executed operable to; advertise, into the global computer network, a common subnet prefix assigned to the local computer network, wherein each of the plurality of FARs of the local computer network is configured to accept any traffic destined to the local computer network; build a tunnel overlay among the plurality of FARs of the local computer network; receive a packet destined to a particular device in the local computer network; and in response to not having a host route to the particular device, select a specific FAR of the plurality of FARs to forward the packet to on the tunnel overlay and forward the packet on the tunnel overlay to the selected FAR, wherein the tunnel overlay is fully connected, and wherein selecting the specific FAR of the plurality of FARs to which to forward the packet on the tunnel overlay is based on the specific FAR not having already received the packet. - View Dependent Claims (15, 17, 18)
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16. An apparatus, comprising:
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a network interface to communicate in a local computer network having a plurality of field area routers (FARs); a network interface to communicate in a global computer network; a processor coupled to the network interfaces and adapted to execute one or more processes; and a memory configured to store a FAR process executable by the processor, the process when executed operable to; advertise, into the global computer network, a common subnet prefix assigned to the local computer network, wherein each of the plurality of FARs of the local computer network is configured to accept any traffic destined to the local computer network; build a tunnel overlay among the plurality of FARs of the local computer network; receive a packet destined to a particular device in the local computer network; and in response to not having a host route to the particular device, select a specific FAR of the plurality of FARs to forward the packet to on the tunnel overlay and forward the packet on the tunnel overlay to the selected FAR, wherein the tunnel overlay is a ring, and wherein the process to; select a specific FAR of the plurality of FARs to which to forward the packet on the tunnel overlay is based on the specific FAR being a next FAR on the ring. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification