Mapping a port on a packet switch appliance
AssigneeGigamon Inc.
InventorsPatrick Pak Tak Leong, King L. Won, Ted Ho
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A packet switch appliance includes a plurality of ports. One of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a network port connected to a packet-switching network. To map the network port of the packet switch appliance, a port map is created. The port map includes a first map rule, which has a first criterion and a first action, and at least a second map rule, which has a second criterion and a second action. The port map is assigned to the network port. When an ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the network port, the port map is applied to the ingress packet.
Claims64
A method of mapping a port of a packet switch appliance connected to a packet-switching network, wherein the packet switch appliance includes a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network, the method comprising:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- wherein the act of creating the first port map comprises creating an object that is selectively assignable to one or more of the plurality of ports;
- assigning the first port map to the first network port;
- and
- when an ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port, applying the first port map to the ingress packet.
A method of mapping a port of a packet switch appliance connected to a packet-switching network, wherein the packet switch appliance includes a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network, the method comprising:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- assigning the first port map to the first network port;
- and
- when an ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port, applying the first port map to the ingress packet;
- wherein the act of applying the first port map comprises:
- processing the ingress packet based on the order of the first and second map rules in the first port map.
A method of mapping a port of a packet switch appliance connected to a packet-switching network, wherein the packet switch appliance includes a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network, the method comprising:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- assigning the first port map to the first network port;
- and
- when an ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port, applying the first port map to the ingress packet;
- wherein the act of applying the first port map comprises:
- examining the ingress packet;
- evaluating the first criterion based on the examination of the ingress packet;
- evaluating the second criterion based on the examination of the ingress packet;
- and
- if the first and second criteria are met, applying a rule resolution procedure.
A method of mapping a port of a packet switch appliance connected to a packet-switching network, wherein the packet switch appliance includes a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network, the method comprising:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- assigning the first port map to the first network port;
- when an ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port, applying the first port map to the ingress packet;
- configuring a second port on the packet switch appliance to operate as a first instrument port connected to a first network instrument;
- configuring a third port on the packet switch appliance to operate as a second instrument port connected to a second network instrument;
- and
- configuring a fourth port on the packet switch appliance to operate as a third instrument port connected to a third network instrument.
A method of mapping a port of a packet switch appliance connected to a packet-switching network, wherein the packet switch appliance includes a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network, the method comprising:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- assigning the first port map to the first network port;
- when an ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port, applying the first port map to the ingress packet;
- configuring a second port on the packet switch appliance to operate as a second network port connected to the packet-switching network;
- assigning the first port map to the second network port;
- and
- when an ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the second network port, applying the first port map to the ingress packet.
A method of mapping a port of a packet switch appliance connected to a packet-switching network, wherein the packet switch appliance includes a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network, the method comprising:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- assigning the first port map to the first network port;
- when an ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port, applying the first port map to the ingress packet;
- configuring a second port on the packet switch appliance to operate as a second network port connected to the packet-switching network;
- assigning a second port map to the second network port, wherein the second port map comprises:
- a third map rule having a third criterion and a third action;
- at least a fourth map rule having a fourth criterion and a fourth action;
- and
- when an ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the second network port, applying the second port map to the ingress packet.
A method of mapping a port of a packet switch appliance connected to a packet-switching network, wherein the packet switch appliance includes a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network, the method comprising:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- assigning the first port map to the first network port;
- when an ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port, applying the first port map to the ingress packet;
- configuring one or more ports of the plurality of ports of the packet switch appliance to operate as a loop-back port, the loop-back port having an egress portion to send out a packet and an ingress portion to loop back the packet sent out the egress portion;
- configuring a second port on the packet switch appliance to operate as a first instrument port connected to a first network instrument;
- configuring a third port on the packet switch appliance to operate as a second instrument port connected to a second network instrument;
- creating a first virtual local area network having the loop-back port, the first instrument port, and the second instrument port as members;
- wherein the first action of the first map rule is to forward the ingress packet to the first and second instrument ports, wherein the act of assigning the first port map to the first network port comprises:
- assigning a first filter to the first network port, wherein the first filter includes a criterion, which corresponds to the first criterion of the first map rule, and an action, wherein the action of the first filter includes:
- placing a first virtual local area network tag on the ingress packet, the first virtual local area network tag corresponding to the first virtual local area network;
- and
- forwarding the ingress packet to the loop-back port;
- wherein the method further comprises:
- configuring a third port on the packet switch appliance to operate as a third instrument port connected to a third network instrument;
- configuring a fourth port on the packet switch appliance to operate as a fourth instrument port connected to a fourth network instrument;
- and
- creating a second virtual local area network having the loop-back port, the third instrument port, and the fourth instrument port as members.
A method of mapping a port of a packet switch appliance connected to a packet-switching network, wherein the packet switch appliance includes a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network, the method comprising:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- assigning the first port map to the first network port;
- when an ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port, applying the first port map to the ingress packet;
- configuring another one of the plurality of ports on the packet switch appliance to operate as a first transport port;
- configuring one of a plurality of ports on an additional packet switch appliance to operate as a second transport port;
- configuring two ports of the plurality of ports of the additional packet switch appliance to operate as a loop-back port, wherein one of the two ports operates as an egress port to send out a packet, and wherein the other one of the two ports operates as an ingress to loop back the packet sent out the egress port;
- establishing a logical connection between the network port on the packet switch appliance with the loop-back port on the additional packet switch appliance through the first and second transport ports;
- configuring another one of the plurality of ports on the additional packet switch appliance to operate as a first instrument port connected to a first network instrument;
- configuring another one of the plurality of ports on the additional packet switch appliance to operate as a second instrument port connected to a second network instrument;
- and
- creating a virtual local area network having the loop-back port, the first instrument port, and the second instrument port as members.
A packet switch appliance configured to be connected to a packet-switching network, the packet switch appliance comprising:
- a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network;
- a computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions to operate the packet switch appliance, comprising instructions for:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- wherein the instruction for creating the first port map comprises instruction for creating an object that is selectively assignable to one or more of the plurality of ports;
- and
- assigning the first port map to the first network port, wherein the first port map is applied to an ingress packet when the ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port.
A packet switch appliance configured to be connected to a packet-switching network, the packet switch appliance comprising:
- a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network;
- a computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions to operate the packet switch appliance, comprising instructions for:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- and
- assigning the first port map to the first network port, wherein the first port map is applied to an ingress packet when the ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port;
- wherein the first map rule is ahead of the second map rule in order in the first port map, and the storage medium further comprises instructions for:
- examining the ingress packet;
- evaluating the first criterion based on the examination of the ingress packet;
- if the first criterion is met, performing the first action;
- if the first criterion is met, not evaluating the second criterion or any other criterion of any other map rule and not performing any other action of any other map rule except the first action of the first map rule;
- if the first criterion is not met, evaluating the second criterion based on the examination of the ingress packet;
- and
- if the second criterion is met, performing the second action.
A packet switch appliance configured to be connected to a packet-switching network, the packet switch appliance comprising:
- a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network;
- a computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions to operate the packet switch appliance, comprising instructions for:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- assigning the first port map to the first network port, wherein the first port map is applied to an ingress packet when the ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port;
- examining the ingress packet;
- evaluating the first criterion based on the examination of the ingress packet;
- evaluating the second criterion based on the examination of the ingress packet;
- and
- if the first and second criteria are met, applying a rule resolution procedure.
A packet switch appliance configured to be connected to a packet-switching network, the packet switch appliance comprising:
- a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network;
- a computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions to operate the packet switch appliance, comprising instructions for:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- assigning the first port map to the first network port, wherein the first port map is applied to an ingress packet when the ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port;
- configuring a second port on the packet switch appliance to operate as a first instrument port connected to a first network instrument;
- configuring a third port on the packet switch appliance to operate as a second instrument port connected to a second network instrument;
- and
- configuring a fourth port on the packet switch appliance to operate as a third instrument port connected to a third network instrument.
A packet switch appliance configured to be connected to a packet-switching network, the packet switch appliance comprising:
- a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network;
- a computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions to operate the packet switch appliance, comprising instructions for:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- assigning the first port map to the first network port, wherein the first port map is applied to an ingress packet when the ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port;
- configuring a second port on the packet switch appliance to operate as a second network port connected to the packet-switching network;
- assigning the first port map to the second network port, wherein the first port map is applied to an ingress packet when the ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the second network port.
A packet switch appliance configured to be connected to a packet-switching network, the packet switch appliance comprising:
- a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network;
- a computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions to operate the packet switch appliance, comprising instructions for:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- and
- assigning the first port map to the first network port, wherein the first port map is applied to an ingress packet when the ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port;
- and
- instructions for:
- configuring another one of the plurality of ports on the packet switch appliance to operate as a first transport port;
- configuring one of a plurality of ports on an additional packet switch appliance to operate as a second transport port;
- configuring two ports of the plurality of ports of the additional packet switch appliance to operate as a loop-back port, wherein one of the two ports operates as an egress port to send out a packet, and wherein one of the two ports operates as an ingress to loop back the packet sent out the egress port;
- establishing a logical connection between the network port on the packet switch appliance with the loop-back port on the additional packet switch appliance through the first and second transport ports;
- configuring another one of the plurality of ports on the additional packet switch appliance to operate as a first instrument port connected to a first network instrument;
- configuring another one of the plurality of ports on the additional packet switch appliance to operate as a second instrument port connected to a second network instrument;
- and
- creating a virtual local area network having the loop-back port, the first instrument port, and the second instrument port as members.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions to operate a packet switch appliance configured to be connected to a packet-switching network, wherein the packet switch appliance includes a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network, the storage medium comprising instructions for:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- wherein the instruction for creating the first port map comprises instruction for creating an object that is selectively assignable to one or more of the plurality of ports;
- and
- assigning the first port map to the first network port, wherein the first port map is applied to an ingress packet when the ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions to operate a packet switch appliance configured to be connected to a packet-switching network, wherein the packet switch appliance includes a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network, the storage medium comprising instructions for:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- and
- assigning the first port map to the first network port, wherein the first port map is applied to an ingress packet when the ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port;
- wherein the first map rule is ahead of the second map rule in order in the first port map, and the storage medium further comprises instructions for:
- examining the ingress packet;
- evaluating the first criterion based on the examination of the ingress packet;
- if the first criterion is met, performing the first action;
- if the first criterion is met, not evaluating the second criterion or any other criterion of any other map rule and not performing any other action of any other map rule except the first action of the first map rule;
- if the first criterion is not met, evaluating the second criterion based on the examination of the ingress packet;
- and
- if the second criterion is met, performing the second action.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing computer-executable instructions to operate a packet switch appliance configured to be connected to a packet-switching network, wherein the packet switch appliance includes a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network, the storage medium comprising instructions for:
- creating a first port map having:
- a first map rule having a first criterion and a first action;
- and
- at least a second map rule having a second criterion and a second action;
- assigning the first port map to the first network port, wherein the first port map is applied to an ingress packet when the ingress packet is received from the packet-switching network through the first network port;
- configuring another one of the plurality of ports on the packet switch appliance to operate as a first transport port;
- configuring one of a plurality of ports on an additional packet switch appliance to operate as a second transport port;
- and
- configuring two ports of the plurality of ports of the additional packet switch appliance to operate as a loop-back port, wherein one of the two ports operates as an egress port to send out a packet, and wherein one of the two ports operates as an ingress to loop back the packet sent out the egress port;
- establishing a logical connection between the network port on the packet switch appliance with the loop-back port on the additional packet switch appliance through the first and second transport ports;
- configuring another one of the plurality of ports on the additional packet switch appliance to operate as a first instrument port connected to a first network instrument;
- configuring another one of the plurality of ports on the additional packet switch appliance to operate as a second instrument port connected to a second network instrument;
- and
- creating a virtual local area network having the loop-back port, the first instrument port, and the second instrument port as members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.