초록 ▼

The present invention is an address mapping gateway, used in an internetwork link, that associates allnodes in a domain with a single network number (referred to as a domain network address), and provides gateway-mapped node addresses that are unique within the domain. The address mapping gateway dy

The present invention is an address mapping gateway, used in an internetwork link, that associates allnodes in a domain with a single network number (referred to as a domain network address), and provides gateway-mapped node addresses that are unique within the domain. The address mapping gateway dynamically substitutes the "globally-unique" domain network address and the "domain-unique" gateway-mapped node address for a network number and node address, respectively, of a network layer address of a packet header received from a source node in the domain. Conversely, when a packet is received for a destination node in the domain, the address mapping gateway substitutes the originally-assigned network number and node address for the domain network address and gateway-mapped node address, respectively, prior to forwarding the packet to the node. Specifically, the address mapping gateway maintains an address mapping table that provides a cross-reference between (1) a source node address and the network number of the local network in which the node resides, and (2) a gateway-mapped node address generated by the address mapping gateway. Upon receipt of a packet from the source node, the address mapping gateway creates a mapping entry in the address mapping table that node and performs an address translation to a globally-unique network layer address. On the other hand, upon receipt of a packet destined for a destination node in the domain, the address mapping gateway locates the mapping entry for the packet's gateway-mapped node address and performs a reverse address translation to the originally-assigned network layer address.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An address mapping gateway for use in an internetwork link, for representing substantially all nodes in a domain as being associated with a domain network address, comprising:means for receiving a first packet from a source node within the domain, said first packet having

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An address mapping gateway for use in an internetwork link, for representing substantially all nodes in a domain as being associated with a domain network address, comprising:means for receiving a first packet from a source node within the domain, said first packet having a network layer header including a network layer address, said network layer address comprising a node address and a network number of a local network including said source node;means for generating a gateway-mapped node address that is unique within the domain;an address mapping table having one or more mapping entries, each said mapping entry associated with a node within the domain and including said node address, said network number, and said gateway-mapped node address;means for creating said mapping entries in said address mapping table;first translation means for substituting the domain network address in place of said network number and for substituting said gateway-mapped node address in place of said node address in a packet generated by a node in the domain;means for receiving a second packet for a destination node in the domain, said second packet having a network layer header including a network layer address, said network layer address comprising said gateway-mapped node address and said domain network address; andsecond translation means for substituting said network number and said node address in place of said domain network address and said gateway-mapped node address, respectively, of said second packet.