Logical grouping of VPN tunnels
AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorsNalin Mistry, Abdulkadev Barbir, Wayne Ding
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnels through a backbone network operated by a service provider may be considered as a logical grouping where the VPN tunnels share certain characteristics. The forwarding of a received packet onto a particular one of these VPN tunnels may be determined through a cascade of lookup tables. According to satisfaction of classification criteria, a given received packet may be modified for special treatment within the backbone network.
Claims13
A method of forwarding a packet comprising:
- determining a logical grouping of a plurality of virtual private network tunnels based on a classification criterion;
- classifying a received packet based on said classification criterion;
- and
- based on a result of said classifying, using a selection algorithm associated with said logical grouping to determine one of said plurality of virtual private network tunnels on which to forward said packet.
A router operable to:
- determine a logical grouping of a plurality of virtual private network tunnels based on a classification criterion;
- classify a received packet based on said classification criterion;
- and
- based on a result of said classifying, use a selection algorithm associated with said logical grouping to determine one of said plurality of virtual private network tunnels on which to forward said packet.
A computer readable medium containing computer-executable instructions which, when performed by processor in router, cause the processor to:
- determine a logical grouping of a plurality of virtual private network tunnels based on a classification criterion;
- classify a received packet based on said classification criterion;
- and
- based on a result of said classifying, use a selection algorithm associated with said logical grouping to determine one of said plurality of virtual private network tunnels on which to forward said packet.
A method of forwarding a received packet in a virtual private network comprising:
- associating a logical grouping of a plurality of virtual private network tunnels with a classification criterion;
- inspecting said received packet for a characteristic meeting said classification criterion;
- and
- if said received packet has said characteristic meeting said classification criterion, forwarding said received packet on one of said plurality of virtual private network tunnels.
A router operable to:
- associate a logical grouping of a plurality of virtual private network tunnels with a classification criterion;
- inspect said received packet for a characteristic meeting said classification criterion;
- and
- if said received packet has said characteristic meeting said classification criterion, forward said received packet on one of said plurality of virtual private network tunnels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.