Methods and apparatus for scalable, distributed management of virtual private networks
US7403980B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 22, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L41/40
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A groupware management system for collaborative groups is disclosed that is scalable to support large, dynamic, multiple, and other virtual VPNs. The system may introduce a graph (or hierarchical) structure to the VPN, providing multiple master nodes controlling membership in subsets of the collaborative group. Use of multiple master nodes in a graph-structured (or hierarchical) network topology often relaxes the need for a single, centralized, globally consistent view of VPN group membership, and enables distribution of the management burden among multiple master nodes. Membership in the VPN may be changed dynamically by the second master node for the member nodes of the second subset, without requiring the first master node to dynamically update its group membership records to reflect the change and in many cases without even having to notify the first master node (and vice versa), for example. In further embodiments, the use of multiple master nodes may increase the reliability and efficiency of VPNs, such as by enabling load balancing of master node tasks. Fail-over mechanisms may also be used to transparently re-route management tasks to an alternate master node especially in …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.