Methods and apparatus to distribute policy information

No: 7373660
Application no: 10649755
Filed date: 2003-08-26
Issue date: 2008-05-13
Kind: B1
Claims: 54
Drawing sheets: 7
Abstract: A first node generates and transmits a notification message including routing policy attributes such as network address information and a corresponding gateway identifier. The gateway identifier identifies a gateway in a physical network through which future generated data messages shall be forwarded to at least one host computer (e.g., any computer having an associated network address) as indicated by the network address information. A second node receiving the notification message utilizes the routing policy attributes to dynamically update its database identifying how to forward data packets. In this way, nodes (e.g., CE routers) of a network can be dynamically configured to support routing of messages based on the network address information and gateway identifier disseminated along with the notification message.
Inventors:
	Guichard James N. (1)
	Tappan Daniel C. (5)
	Hanzl Robert (1)
	Wainner W. Scott (1)
Primary examiner: Tran Ellen
Agents:
	Chapin, Esq. Barry W. (159)
	Chapin IP Law, LLC} (ORG) (131)
Assignees:
	Cisco Technology, Inc.} (ORG) (1997)
Field of search:
	No:160 - Packet header designating cryptographically protected data
	No:153 - Particular node (e.g., gateway, bridge, router, etc.) for directing data and applying cryptography
Other references:
	S. Bradner, RFC 2026, “The Internet Standards Process—Revision 3,” Harvard University, Inc, Oct. 1996, http://asg.web.cmu.edu/rfc/rfc2026.html.
	E. Rosen, Y. Rekhter, RFC2547, BGP/MPLS VPNs, Copyright © The Internet Society (1999). All Rights Reserved. http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/rfc/rfc25xx/RFC2547.html.
References:
	6157955
	6205488
	6332163
	6539483
	6606660
	6631416
	6671724
	6678827
	6701358
	6732176
	6751729
	Enabling secure communication in a clustered or distributed architecture
	Transport networks supporting virtual private networks, and configuring such networks

Methods and apparatus to distribute policy information

No:

Application no:

Filed date:

Issue date:

Kind:

Claims:

Drawing sheets:

Abstract:

Inventors:

Guichard James N. (1)

Tappan Daniel C. (5)

Hanzl Robert (1)

Wainner W. Scott (1)

Primary examiner:

Agents:

Chapin, Esq. Barry W. (159)

Chapin IP Law, LLC} (ORG) (131)

Assignees:

Cisco Technology, Inc.} (ORG) (1997)

Field of search:

No:160 - Packet header designating cryptographically protected data

No:153 - Particular node (e.g., gateway, bridge, router, etc.) for directing data and applying cryptography

Other references:

S. Bradner, RFC 2026, “The Internet Standards Process—Revision 3,” Harvard University, Inc, Oct. 1996, http://asg.web.cmu.edu/rfc/rfc2026.html.

E. Rosen, Y. Rekhter, RFC2547, BGP/MPLS VPNs, Copyright © The Internet Society (1999). All Rights Reserved. http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/rfc/rfc25xx/RFC2547.html.

References:

6157955

6205488

6332163

6539483

6606660

6631416

6671724

6678827

6701358

6732176

6751729

Enabling secure communication in a clustered or distributed architecture

Transport networks supporting virtual private networks, and configuring such networks