Tools and techniques for directing packets over disparate networks
OwnerSanchaita Datta, Bhaskar Ragulainventors
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Abstract
Methods, configured storage media, and systems are provided for communications using two or more disparate networks in parallel to provide load balancing across network connections, greater reliability, and/or increased security. A controller provides access to two or more disparate networks in parallel, through direct or indirect network interfaces. When one attached network fails, the failure is sensed by the controller and traffic is routed through one or more other disparate networks. When all attached disparate networks are operating, one controller preferably balances the load between them.
Claims24
A controller which controls access to multiple independent disparate networks in a parallel network configuration, the disparate networks comprising at least one private network and at least one network based on the Internet, the controller comprising:
- a site interface connecting the controller to a site;
- at least two network interfaces which send packets toward the disparate networks;
- and
- a packet path selector which selects between network interfaces, using at least two known location address ranges which are respectively associated with disparate networks, according to at least:
- a destination of the packet, an optional presence of alternate paths to that destination, and at least one specified criterion for selecting between alternate paths when such alternate paths are present;
- wherein the controller receives a packet through the site interface and sends the packet through the network interface that was selected by the packet path selector.
A method for combining connections for access to disparate parallel networks, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving at a controller a packet which has a first site IP address as source address and a second site IP address as destination address;
- selecting, within the controller on a per-packet basis, between a path through an Internet-based network and a path through a private network that is not Internet-based;
- and
- forwarding the packet along the selected path toward the second site.
A method for controlling access to multiple independent disparate networks in a parallel network configuration, the disparate networks comprising at least one private network and at least one network based on the Internet, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a packet through a site interface that connects a controller to a site;
- selecting between at least two network interfaces of the controller which use at least two known location address ranges which are respectively associated with disparate networks, according to at least:
- a destination of the packet, an optional presence of alternate paths to that destination, and at least one specified criterion for selecting between alternate paths when such alternate paths are present;
- and
- sending the packet through the selected network interface.
A controller for combining connections for access to disparate parallel networks, the controller comprising:
- a site interface configured for receiving a packet which has a first site IP address as source address and a second site IP address as destination address;
- and
- a packet path selector which selects, within the controller on a per-packet basis, between a path through an Internet-based network and a path through a private network that is not Internet-based;
- wherein the controller receives a packet through the site interface and sends the packet through the network interface that was selected by the packet path selector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.