System and method for providing prefixes indicative of mobility properties in a network environment

• US 9,282,077 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2013
• Issued: 03/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gundavelli, Srinath, Weis, Brian E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mian, Omer S
• Application Number:
  US13/733,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20130195037A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,160 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/668 Internet protocol [IP] address subnets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/72 Routing based on the source address
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5038 for local use, e.g. in LAN or USB networks, or in a controller area network [CAN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5061 Pools of addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]

Abstract

An example method includes receiving an Internet protocol (IP) address request in a network and selecting an IP address associated with a prefix that represents an IP subnet. The prefix includes a color attribute to be provided as part of a communication session that includes a plurality of packets. The prefix defines one or more properties associated with an application for the session. The prefix is communicated to a network element in a signaling plane, the prefix is configured to be used to make a routing decision for at least some of the plurality of packets. In more specific embodiments, the method can include applying one or more network policies based on the prefix associated with the IP address. The method could also include decrypting an encryption protocol in order to identify the prefix of a subsequent communication flow, and executing a routing decision based on the prefix.

Claims

1. A mobile router for a vehicle, comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory element coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the processor and memory element are configured to cooperate such that the mobile router is configured to;

receive a set of internet protocol (IP) subnet prefix pools based on services and capabilities associated with the vehicle, wherein each IP subnet prefix pool is accompanied by an associated prefix color that defines one or more properties of IP addresses in the IP subnet prefix pool, and further wherein a first IP subnet prefix pool has an associated first prefix color indicating that IP addresses in the first IP subnet prefix pool are associated with vehicle diagnostics;

receive an IP address request from an IP device running a vehicle application associated with the vehicle;

when the vehicle application is a vehicle diagnostics application, assign the IP device an IP address from the first IP subnet prefix pool, such that the first prefix color is used for routing at least some of a plurality of packets of a communication session associated with the IP device; and

when the vehicle application is not a vehicle diagnostics application, assign an IP address to the IP device from one of the IP subnet prefix pools different than the first IP subnet prefix pool having a prefix color different than the first prefix color that corresponds with the vehicle application, such that the prefix color is used for routing at least some of the plurality of packets of the communication session associated with the IP device.

2. The mobile router of claim 1, wherein a one-to-one mapping exists between each prefix color and a class of IP devices, and the mobile router is further configured to identify the IP device as belonging to a particular class of IP devices and assign an IP address from one of the IP subnet prefix pools having a prefix color that corresponds with the particular class of IP devices.

3. The mobile router of claim 1, wherein the vehicle application is selected from a group of vehicle applications consisting of:

a) the vehicle diagnostics application;

b) an Internet access application; and

c) an in-vehicle application.

4. The mobile router of claim 1, wherein the prefix color of one of the IP subnet prefix pools indicates at least one routing restriction for certain packets routed beyond a home network associated with the mobile router.

5. The mobile router of claim 1, wherein the prefix color of one of the IP subnet prefix pools indicates mobility properties associated with communications involving the vehicle.

6. The mobile router of claim 1, wherein a plurality of interfaces are provided for particular communication flows associated with the vehicle, the plurality of interfaces selected from a group of interfaces consisting of:

a) a WiFi interface;

b) a satellite interface; and

c) a cellular interface.

7. The mobile router of claim 1, wherein when the assigned IP address is associated with a prefix color that indicates a mobility property of the IP address, the mobile router is further configured to route packets associated with the prefix color through a home network when the IP device roams.

8. The mobile router of claim 1, further connected to a bus provided between a vehicle diagnostics application and the mobile router.

9. The mobile router of claim 1, wherein exchanges involving the prefix colors associated with the set of IP subnet prefix pools occur in a signaling plane.

10. The mobile router of claim 1, wherein the prefix color of one of the IP subnet prefix pools is maintained on an associated virtual local area network (VLAN).

11. The mobile router of claim 1, wherein the mobile router is coupled to an Intranet that is linked to a virtual private network (VPN) server, and mobile router receives the set of IP subnet prefix pools and associated prefix colors from the VPN server.

12. The mobile router of claim 11, wherein the VPN server maintains one or more traffic policies associated with communication flows involving the mobile router, wherein the VPN server is configured to access traffic policies to identify the services and capabilities associated with the vehicle.

13. The mobile router of claim 11, wherein the VPN server is coupled to a prefix pools element, and the VPN server is configured to access the prefix pools element based, at least in part, on incoming requests generated by the mobile router.

14. The mobile router of claim 13, wherein the prefix pools element is segregated based on particular usage scopes associated with the mobile router.

15. The mobile router of claim 1, wherein the mobile router is notified by a VPN concentrator of the one or more properties defined by each prefix color associated with the set of IP subnet prefix pools received by the mobile router.

19. The mobile router of claim 1, wherein each prefix color is a VLAN tag.

16. One or more non-transitory tangible media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor operable to perform operations comprising:

receiving a set of internet protocol (IP) subnet prefix pools based on services and capabilities associated with the vehicle, wherein each IP subnet prefix pool is accompanied by an associated prefix color that defines one or more properties of IP addresses in the IP subnet prefix pool, and further wherein a first IP subnet prefix pool has an associated first prefix color indicating that IP addresses in the first IP subnet prefix pool are associated with vehicle diagnostics;

receiving an IP address request from an IP device running a vehicle application associated with the vehicle;

when the vehicle application is a vehicle diagnostics application, assigning the IP device an IP address from the first IP subnet prefix pool, such that the first prefix color is used for routing at least some of a plurality of packets of a communication session associated with the IP device; and

when the vehicle application is not a vehicle diagnostics application, assigning an IP address to the IP device from one of the IP subnet prefix pools different than the first IP subnet prefix pool having a prefix color different than the first prefix color that corresponds with the vehicle application, such that the prefix color is used for routing at least some of the plurality of packets of the communication session associated with the IP device.

17. The non-transitory tangible media of claim 16, wherein a one-to-one mapping exists between each prefix color and a class of IP devices, and the operations further comprise identifying the IP device as belonging to a particular class of IP devices and assigning an IP address from one of the IP subnet prefix pools having a prefix color that corresponds with the particular class of IP devices.

20. The non-transitory tangible media of claim 16, wherein the prefix color of one of the IP subnet prefix pools indicates mobility properties associated with communications involving the vehicle.

18. A method to be performed by a mobile router for a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving a set of internet protocol (IP) subnet prefix pools based on services and capabilities associated with the vehicle, wherein each IP subnet prefix pool is accompanied by an associated prefix color that defines one or more properties of IP addresses in the IP subnet prefix pool, and further wherein a first IP subnet prefix pool has an associated first prefix color indicating that IP addresses in the first IP subnet prefix pool are associated with vehicle diagnostics;

receiving an IP address request from an IP device running a vehicle application associated with the vehicle;

when the vehicle application is a vehicle diagnostics application, assigning the IP device an IP address from the first IP subnet prefix pool, such that the first prefix color is used for routing at least some of a plurality of packets of a communication session associated with the IP device; and

when the vehicle application is not a vehicle diagnostics application, assigning an IP address to the IP device from one of the IP subnet prefix pools different than the first IP subnet prefix pool having a prefix color different than the first prefix color that corresponds with the vehicle application, such that the prefix color is used for routing at least some of the plurality of packets of the communication session associated with the IP device.

21. A mobile node running a vehicle application associated with a vehicle, the mobile node comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory element coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the mobile node is configured to;

request an Internet protocol (IP) address from a mobile router for the vehicle having a set of IP subnet prefix pools based on services and capabilities associated with the vehicle, wherein each IP subnet prefix pool is accompanied by an associated prefix color that defines one or more properties of IP addresses in the IP subnet prefix pool, and further wherein a first IP subnet prefix pool has an associated first prefix color indicating that IP addresses in the first IP subnet prefix pool are associated with vehicle diagnostics;

when the vehicle application is a vehicle diagnostics application, receive an IP address from the mobile router from the first IP subnet prefix pool, such that the first prefix color is used for routing at least some of a plurality of packets of a communication session associated with the mobile node; and

when the vehicle application is not a vehicle diagnostics application, receive an IP address from the mobile router from one of the IP subnet prefix pools different than the first IP subnet prefix pool having a prefix color different than the first prefix color that corresponds with the vehicle application, such that the prefix color is used for routing at least some of the plurality of packets of the communication session associated with the mobile node.

22. The mobile node of claim 21, wherein the mobile node belongs to a particular class of IP devices, and the mobile node receives an IP address from one of the IP subnet prefix pools having a prefix color that corresponds with the particular class of IP devices.

23. The mobile node of claim 21, wherein the prefix color of one of the IP subnet prefix pools indicates at least one routing restriction for certain packets routed beyond a home network associated with the mobile node.

24. The mobile node of claim 21, wherein the prefix color of one of the IP subnet prefix pools indicates mobility properties associated with communications involving the vehicle.

25. The mobile node of claim 21, wherein the prefix color of one of the IP subnet prefix pools is maintained on an associated virtual local area network (VLAN).

26. One or more non-transitory tangible media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor operable to perform operations comprising:

running a vehicle application associated with a vehicle;

requesting an Internet protocol (IP) address from a mobile router for the vehicle having a set of IP subnet prefix pools based on services and capabilities associated with the vehicle, wherein each IP subnet prefix pool is accompanied by an associated prefix color that defines one or more properties of IP addresses in the IP subnet prefix pool, and further wherein a first IP subnet prefix pool has an associated first prefix color indicating that IP addresses in the first IP subnet prefix pool are associated with vehicle diagnostics;

when the vehicle application is a vehicle diagnostics application, receiving an IP address from the mobile router from the first IP subnet prefix pool, such that the first prefix color is used for routing at least some of a plurality of packets of a communication session associated with the mobile node; and

when the vehicle application is not a vehicle diagnostics application, receiving an IP address from the mobile router from one of the IP subnet prefix pools different than the first IP subnet prefix pool having a prefix color different than the first prefix color that corresponds with the vehicle application, such that the prefix color is used for routing at least some of the plurality of packets of the communication session associated with the mobile node.

27. The non-transitory tangible media of claim 26, wherein a one-to-one mapping exists between each prefix color and a class of IP devices, and the operations further comprise receiving an IP address from one of the IP subnet prefix pools having a prefix color that corresponds with a particular class of IP devices.

28. The non-transitory tangible media of claim 26, wherein the prefix color of one of the IP subnet prefix pools indicates at least one routing restriction for certain packets routed beyond a home network associated with the mobile node.

29. The non-transitory tangible media of claim 26, wherein the prefix color of one of the IP subnet prefix pools indicates mobility properties associated with communications involving the vehicle.

30. The non-transitory tangible media of claim 26, wherein the prefix color of one of the IP subnet prefix pools is maintained on an associated virtual local area network.

31. A method to be performed by a mobile node running a vehicle application associated with a vehicle, the method comprising:

requesting an Internet protocol (IP) address from a mobile router for the vehicle having a set of IP subnet prefix pools based on services and capabilities associated with the vehicle, wherein each IP subnet prefix pool is accompanied by an associated prefix color that defines one or more properties of IP addresses in the IP subnet prefix pool, and further wherein a first IP subnet prefix pool has an associated first prefix color indicating that IP addresses in the first IP subnet prefix pool are associated with vehicle diagnostics;

when the vehicle application is a vehicle diagnostics application, receiving an IP address from the mobile router from the first IP subnet prefix pool, such that the first prefix color is used for routing at least some of a plurality of packets of a communication session associated with the mobile node; and

when the vehicle application is not a vehicle diagnostics application, receiving an IP address from the mobile router from one of the IP subnet prefix pools different than the first IP subnet prefix pool having a prefix color different than the first prefix color that corresponds with the vehicle application, such that the prefix color is used for routing at least some of the plurality of packets of the communication session associated with the mobile node.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein a one-to-one mapping exists between each prefix color and a class of IP devices, the method further including receiving an IP address from one of the IP subnet prefix pools having a prefix color that corresponds with a particular class of IP devices.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the prefix color of one of the IP subnet prefix pools indicates at least one routing restriction for certain packets routed beyond a home network associated with the mobile node.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the prefix color of one of the IP subnet prefix pools indicates mobility properties associated with communications involving the vehicle.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the prefix color of one of the IP subnet prefix pools is maintained on an associated virtual local area network.