Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer data routing – Routing data updating
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-14
2001-02-13
Coulter, Kenneth R. (Department: 2758)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer data routing
Routing data updating
C709S241000, C370S238000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189044
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to network communications and, more particularly, to a method of routing data packets within a satellite communications network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a full mesh network such as a satellite network, it is possible for a source node to communicate with a destination node in a single hop. Single hop communications are possible when the source node has knowledge of both the network address of the destination node and the physical address of the destination node. Existing methods of distributing address information to the nodes within a network make use of dynamic routing protocols and address resolution protocols. These protocols can generally be classified as either broadcast-based or server- based protocols.
Broadcast based protocols transmit routing and address resolution information to all nodes within the network on a periodic basis. Because all routing information is distributed throughout the entire network on a periodic basis, broadcast-based implementations tend to be very bandwidth intensive.
Server-based protocols are based on the concept of an intelligent server having all routing and address resolution information for the entire network. To send information from a source node to a destination node, the source node requests routing information from the intelligent server. In response, the server transmits routing information back to the source node. Once the source node receives the address resolution information for the destination node, it transmits the data directly to the destination node. The process is then repeated for each subsequent communication. Such server-based communication methods increase the number of protocol exchanges, thereby increasing delays within the system.
The bandwidth usage associated with broadcast-based systems and the communications delay associated with server-based systems are both undesirable in a bandwidth-sensitive and delay-sensitive wireless environment such as a geostationary satellite network.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of these prior art systems through the provision of one or more intelligent routing nodes which maintains routing and address resolution information for all nodes within the routing node's domain. When the intelligent routing node detects that a source node is transmitting a data packet using a sub-optimal communication path, the routing node communicates updated routing information to the source node to improve the communication path.
When a source node transmits a data packet to the routing node, the routing node senses the network address of the destination node, retransmits the data packet to the destination node at the physical address associated with the destination node, and redirects the destination node physical address to the source node. The source node then stores this information such that subsequent data packets containing the same network address can be transmitted directly by the source node to the destination node.
The present invention provides an improved network communications system and method. The present invention also minimizes bandwidth usage and communications delay within a network.
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Nakanishi Gregory
Thomson Louisa
Coulter Kenneth R.
Duraiswamy Vijayalakshmi D.
Hughes Electronics Corporation
Sales Michael W.
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