Cloud-based network tool optimizers for server cloud networks
First Claim
1. A method for configuring and operating a network tool optimizer for cloud-based networks, comprising:
- allowing configuration of one or more master filters to determine how packets from a cloud network are forwarded to a plurality of virtual ports, each virtual port being associated with a different user of cloud resources within the cloud network;
allowing configuration of a plurality of sets of one or more user filters, each set of one or more user filters being associated with a different user of cloud resources within the cloud network and determining how packets from a virtual port associated with that user are forwarded to one or more output ports for the network tool optimizer;
generating rules for filter engines based upon the one or more master filters and the plurality of sets of one or more user filters with conflicts between the master filters and user filters being resolved in favor of the master filters;
applying the rules to the filter engines within the network tool optimizer;
receiving packets from the cloud network at one or more input ports for the network tool optimizer; and
forwarding the received packets to one or more output ports for the network tool optimizer using the filter engines so that packet traffic for each user is forwarded based at least in part upon the set of one or more user filters for that user;
wherein the allowing steps comprise providing a master user interface to allow configuration of the master filters and providing one or more user interfaces to allow configuration of the user filters, the one or more user interfaces comprising a separate user interface for each user; and
wherein the master user interface displays filter information only for master filters between one or more input ports and the plurality of virtual ports, and wherein the one or more user interfaces display filter information only for user filters between the plurality of virtual ports and one or more output ports.
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Abstract
Network tool optimizers for server cloud networks and related methods are disclosed. In part, master filters are defined to segregate and control user traffic, and user filters are defined to forward the user traffic to cloud-based network tools or tool instances. A master user interface and user interfaces for each user are provided so that the master filters and user filters can be defined and managed. A filter rules compiler within the cloud-based network tool optimizer then combines the master filters with the user filters, resolves conflicts in favor of the master filters, and generates filter engine rules that are applied to filter engines within the network tool optimizer for the cloud network. The filter engines then forward packets received at input ports for the network tool optimizer to output ports for the network tool optimizer that are coupled to network tools or tool instances within the cloud network.
61 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for configuring and operating a network tool optimizer for cloud-based networks, comprising:
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allowing configuration of one or more master filters to determine how packets from a cloud network are forwarded to a plurality of virtual ports, each virtual port being associated with a different user of cloud resources within the cloud network; allowing configuration of a plurality of sets of one or more user filters, each set of one or more user filters being associated with a different user of cloud resources within the cloud network and determining how packets from a virtual port associated with that user are forwarded to one or more output ports for the network tool optimizer; generating rules for filter engines based upon the one or more master filters and the plurality of sets of one or more user filters with conflicts between the master filters and user filters being resolved in favor of the master filters; applying the rules to the filter engines within the network tool optimizer; receiving packets from the cloud network at one or more input ports for the network tool optimizer; and forwarding the received packets to one or more output ports for the network tool optimizer using the filter engines so that packet traffic for each user is forwarded based at least in part upon the set of one or more user filters for that user; wherein the allowing steps comprise providing a master user interface to allow configuration of the master filters and providing one or more user interfaces to allow configuration of the user filters, the one or more user interfaces comprising a separate user interface for each user; and wherein the master user interface displays filter information only for master filters between one or more input ports and the plurality of virtual ports, and wherein the one or more user interfaces display filter information only for user filters between the plurality of virtual ports and one or more output ports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A network tool optimizer for cloud-based networks, comprising:
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a plurality of input ports to receive network packets; a plurality of output ports to output network packets; a packet switch having filter engines that determine how network packets are forwarded from the input ports to the output ports within the network tool optimizer; a master user interface to allow configuration of one or more master filters that determine how packets from the input ports are forwarded to a plurality of virtual ports, each virtual port being associated with a different user of cloud resources within a cloud network; one or more user interfaces to allow configuration of a plurality of sets of one or more user filters to determine how packets from a virtual port associated with a user are forwarded to one or more output ports for the network tool optimizer, each set of one or more user filters being associated with a different user of cloud resources within the cloud network, and the one or more user interfaces comprising a separate user interface for each user; and a filter processor to generate rules for the filter engines based upon the one or more master filters and the plurality of sets of one or more user filters with conflicts between the master filters and user filters being resolved in favor of the master filters and to apply the rules to the filter engines to forward packet traffic for each user based at least in part upon the set of one or more user filters for that user; wherein the master user interface is configured to display filter information only for master filters between one or more input ports and the plurality of virtual ports, and wherein the one or more user interfaces are configured to display filter information only for user filters between the plurality of virtual ports and one or more output ports. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification