Multi-service network switch with multiple virtual routers
AssigneeAlcatel
InventorsRamakrishna Rao, Richard Schunk, Charlie Ghahremani
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A physical network switch partitioned into a plurality of virtual routers (VRs) where each VR has allocated to it a set of resources and routing tables. The system resources are not tied to a particular network interface, allowing them to be flexibly partitioned among the various VRs. Each VR may also be partitioned into multiple virtual private networks (VPNs) for controlling access to certain portions of the VR. Access is controlled by filtering software that filters traffic directed to the VR based on criteria such as source and/or destination addresses.
Claims19
In a multi-service network switch, a method for emulating multiple routers within the single switch, the method comprising:
- creating a plurality of virtual routers, each virtual router being associated with a unique virtual router identifier;
- allocating resources to each virtual router, the allocated resources being proprietary to each virtual router;
- creating a routing table for each virtual router;
- setting an IP interface for each virtual router;
- enabling each virtual router;
- receiving a connection request at a first interface module;
- identifying the virtual router for the connection request;
- determining a resource needed for the connection;
- determining availability of the resource for the virtual router at the first interface module;
- communicating a request for a resource from the first interface module to a second interface module;
- receiving a response from the second interface module indicating that the resource is available;
- and
- assigning the resource to the connection request.
A multi-service network switch comprising:
- a plurality of interface modules receiving and forwarding data blocks, each interface module including a plurality of resources;
- means for creating a plurality of virtual routers, each virtual router being associated with a unique virtual router identifier;
- means for allocating a portion of the resources to each virtual router, the allocated resources being proprietary to each virtual router;
- means for monitoring usage of resources allocated to each virtual router;
- a first interface module receiving a connection request, identifying the virtual router for the connection request, determining a resource needed for the connection, determining availability of the resource for the virtual router, and communicating a request for the resource;
- and
- a second interface module receiving the request for the resource, determining availability of the resource for the virtual router, communicating a response indicating that the resource is available, and assigning the resource to the connection request.
A multi-service network switch comprising:
- a plurality of interface modules receiving and forwarding blocks of data, each interface module including a plurality of resources, a portion of the resources being allocated to a virtual router;
- means for receiving a connection request directed to the virtual router;
- means for assigning a resource to the connection request from the portion of resources allocated to the virtual router;
- means for receiving a block of data from the connection;
- means for locating a filter associated with the block of data, the filter including a filtering criteria and an action to be taken upon a match of the filtering criteria;
- and
- means for processing the block of data based on the located filter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.