# US 10,313,259 B2 · Suppressing broadcasts in cloud environments > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,313,259 B2 - Document ID: US10313259B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/374,006 - Filed: 2016-12-09 - Published: 2018-06-14 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-09 - Assignees: VMware, Inc. - Applicants: VMware, Inc. - Inventors: Shu Guang Ren; Wei Yao; Xianwei Meng; Zhiqi Ni; Louisa An - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10313259B2 ## CPC - H04L 47/562: {Attaching a time tag to queues} - H04L 67/02: based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP] - H04L 67/34: {involving the movement of software or configuration parameters (network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416)} - H04L 69/26: {Special purpose or proprietary protocols or architectures (network applications for proprietary or special purpose networking environments H04L67/12)} - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A method for suppressing broadcast messages includes receiving a broadcast message from a client that requests configuration information from a configuration server. The method includes queueing the broadcast message in a request queue and then identifying an oldest message in a request queue. When no configuration server information is available, the method includes broadcasting the oldest message to a broadcast domain. The method includes intercepting one or more additional broadcast messages from one or more other clients and storing the additional broadcast messages in the request queue. The method includes receiving a reply to the oldest message and storing configuration server information extracted from the reply. The method includes converting the additional broadcast messages to unicast messages, and unicasting the unicast messages to the configuration server using the stored configuration server information. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for suppressing broadcast messages in a network with a plurality of host devices, the method comprising: receiving a broadcast message from a client, the broadcast message requesting configuration information from a configuration server; queuing the broadcast message in a request queue; identifying an oldest message in the request queue; when no configuration server information is available, broadcasting the oldest message to a broadcast domain; intercepting one or more additional broadcast messages from one or more other clients and storing the additional broadcast messages in the request queue; receiving a reply to the oldest message and storing configuration server information extracted from the reply; converting the additional broadcast messages to unicast messages; and unicasting the unicast messages to the configuration server using the stored configuration server information. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising setting a timer for each additional broadcast message in the request queue, and broadcasting each additional broadcast message when its respective timer expires. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising setting a timer for the stored configuration server information, and deleting the stored configuration server information when the timer expires. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the stored configuration server information to a host; and storing the configuration server information in a switch at the host. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration server information comprises a broadcast domain. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration server information comprises dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server information. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a switch converts the additional broadcast messages to unicast messages. ### Claim 8 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing a program which, when executed by one or more processors, performs operations for suppressing broadcast messages in a network, the operations comprising: receiving a broadcast message from a client, the broadcast message requesting configuration information from a configuration server; queuing the broadcast message in a request queue; identifying an oldest message in the request queue; when no configuration server information is available, broadcasting the oldest message to a broadcast domain; intercepting one or more additional broadcast messages from one or more other clients and storing the additional broadcast messages in the request queue; receiving a reply to the oldest message and storing configuration server information extracted from the reply; converting the additional broadcast messages to unicast messages; and unicasting the unicast messages to the configuration server using the stored configuration server information. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise setting a timer for each additional broadcast message in the request queue, and broadcasting each additional broadcast message when its respective timer expires. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise setting a timer for the stored configuration server information, and deleting the stored configuration server information when the timer expires. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise: transmitting the stored configuration server information to a host; and storing the configuration server information in a switch at the host. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the configuration server information comprises a broadcast domain. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the configuration server information comprises dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server information. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein a switch converts the additional broadcast messages to unicast messages. ### Claim 15 A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory, wherein the memory includes a program executable in the processor to perform operations for suppressing broadcast messages in a network, the operations comprising: receiving a broadcast message from a client, the broadcast message requesting configuration information from a configuration server; queuing the broadcast message in a request queue; identifying an oldest message in the request queue; when no configuration server information is available, broadcasting the oldest message to a broadcast domain; intercepting one or more additional broadcast messages from one or more other clients and storing the additional broadcast messages in the request queue; receiving a reply to the oldest message and storing configuration server information extracted from the reply; converting the additional broadcast messages to unicast messages; and unicasting the unicast messages to the configuration server using the stored configuration server information. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise setting a timer for each additional broadcast message in the request queue, and broadcasting each additional broadcast message when its respective timer expires. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise setting a timer for the stored configuration server information, and deleting the stored configuration server information when the timer expires. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise: transmitting the stored configuration server information to a host; and storing the configuration server information in a switch at the host. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the configuration server information comprises a broadcast domain. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein a switch converts the additional broadcast messages to unicast messages.