Auto-tunnelling in a heterogeneous network
OwnerAllen Houston, Terence Canning +1inventors
InventorsAllen Houston, Terence Canning, Nuala Sheerin
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Abstract
In the preferred embodiment, the invention provides a modified Shortest Path First routing algorithm for use in a heterogeneous network. The routing algorithm is modified to identify bi-lingual network nodes as it calculates shortest paths. Once a node has been identified as bi-lingual, this information is carried over into subsequent path entries created by the routing algorithm. This arrangement reduces the computational burden on the routing algorithm when identifying bi-lingual routers.
Claims18
An apparatus for routing data packets in a network comprising a plurality of nodes each arranged to support one or both of a first and second set of one or more protocols, the apparatus being included, in use, in a first network node which is associated with at least one database, the apparatus being arranged to create entries in said at least one database, each entry relating to at least one respective path from said first network node to a respective destination node in the network, wherein the apparatus is arranged to determine, when creating an entry in respect of at least one path to a destination node, if said destination node supports both of said first and second protocol sets, and being further arranged, upon so determining, to associate information with said entry identifying said destination node as a dual router, and wherein the apparatus is further arranged, when creating subsequent entries in respect of paths to other destination nodes which paths include said destination node, to associate said identifying information with said subsequent entries.
In an apparatus for routing data packets in a network comprising a plurality of nodes each arranged to support one or both of a first and second set of one or more protocols, the apparatus being included, in use, in a first network node which includes at least one database, the apparatus being arranged to create entries in said at least one database, each entry relating to at least one respective path from said first network node to a respective destination node in the network, a method of identifying dual routers, the method comprising:
- determining, when creating an entry in respect of at least one path to a destination node, if said destination node supports both of said first and second protocol sets;
- associating, upon so determining, information with said entry identifying said destination node as a dual router;
- and, when creating subsequent entries in respect of paths to other destination nodes which paths include said destination node, associating said identifying information with said subsequent entries.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.