Patent US6487605B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6487605B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mobile IP mobility agent standby protocol
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
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Filing: 2000-11-14
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Granted: 2002-11-26
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Expires: 2020-11-14
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a method and apparatus for automatically backing up a Home Agent in Mobile IP. The method employs important components of the widely-used Hot Standby Router Protocol, but extends it to include synchronization of the mobility binding table between an active Home Agent and a standby Home Agent that backs it up. Also disclosed is a more general protocol for extending HSRP and related redundancy protocols to synchronize higher level functions other than mobility binding lists in Mobile IP (e.g., address translation tables in Network Address Translation (NAT), address bindings in Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) servers, dynamic ACL in Reflexive Access List, and TCP and GTP layer context in GPRS support nodes: SGSN & GGSN). Still other protocols that could benefit from HSRP include Lock and Key, Context-Based Access List, IP Security (IPSec), and H.323 gatekeeper.
Inventors
- 👤 Kent K. Leung
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:34
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W8/00; H04W8/02; H04W8/08; H04W8/12; H04L; H04L69/00; H04L69/40; H04L61/00; H04L61/09; H04L61/25; H04W8/26; H04W80/00; H04W80/04; H04W92/00; H04W92/16; H04W92/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A computer readable medium for performing a method of providing Mobile IP redundancy in a standby Mobility Agent, comprising the following instructions: instructions for determining that an active Mobility Agent, with which the standby Mobility Agent shares a virtual IP address known to a Mobile Node, is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent on a network segment for the Mobile Node; instructions for assuming the role of active Mobility Agent for the shared virtual IP address on the network segment, thereby handling registrations from the Mobile Node; and instructions for sending a list of registrations currently handled by the active Mobility Agent on the network segment to a new standby Mobility Agent on the network segment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A computer readable medium for performing a method of providing Mobile IP redundancy in a standby Mobility Agent, comprising the following instructions: instructions for determining that an active Mobility Agent, with which the standby Mobility Agent shares a virtual IP address known to a Mobile Node, is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent on a network segment for the Mobile Node; instructions for assuming the role of active Mobility Agent for the shared virtual IP address on the network segment, thereby handling registrations from the Mobile Node; and instructions for sending a list of registrations currently handled by the active Mobility Agent on the network segment to a new standby Mobility Agent on the network segment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer readable medium of claim 1 , further comprising instructions for assuming the role of standby Mobility Agent prior to determining that an active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer readable medium of claim 1 , further comprising instructions for registering the Mobile Node when it moves to a new location, wherein the Mobility Agent is a Home Agent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The computer readable medium of claim 3 , further comprising instructions for receiving a registration entry from the active Mobility Agent, which registration entry specifies registration of the Mobile Node at a remote location prior to determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable medium of claim 4 , further comprising instructions for adding the registration entry to a mobility binding table in the standby Mobility Agent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The computer readable medium of claim 1 , further comprising instructions for receiving an entire mobility binding table or an entire visitor table specifying multiple registration entries from the active Mobility Agent prior to determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the instructions for determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent comprise instructions for receiving a resign message from the active Mobility Agent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The computer readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the instructions for determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent comprise instructions for determining that no hello message has been received from the active Mobility Agent within a predefined length of time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the instructions for assuming the role of active Mobility Agent comprise adopting the virtual IP address.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the instructions for assuming the role of active Mobility Agent comprise adopting a virtual MAC address.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer readable medium of claim 1 , further comprising instructions for preempting the active Mobility Agent if the active Mobility Agent has a lower priority than the standby Mobility Agent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
105 words
A standby Mobility Agent for providing Mobile IP redundancy, comprising: means for determining that an active Mobility Agent, with which the standby Mobility Agent shares a virtual IP address known to a Mobile Node, is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent on a network segment for the Mobile Node; means for assuming the role of active Mobility Agent on the network segment for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling registrations from the Mobile Node; and means for sending a list of registrations currently handled by the active Mobility Agent on the network segment to a new standby Mobility Agent on the network segment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
105 words
A standby Mobility Agent for providing Mobile IP redundancy, comprising: means for determining that an active Mobility Agent, with which the standby Mobility Agent shares a virtual IP address known to a Mobile Node, is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent on a network segment for the Mobile Node; means for assuming the role of active Mobility Agent on the network segment for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling registrations from the Mobile Node; and means for sending a list of registrations currently handled by the active Mobility Agent on the network segment to a new standby Mobility Agent on the network segment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
117 words
A standby Mobility Agent for providing Mobile IP redundancy, comprising: a processor; and a memory, wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are adapted for: determining that an active Mobility Agent, with which the standby Mobility Agent shares a virtual IP address known to a Mobile Node, is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent on a network segment for the Mobile Node; assuming the role of active Mobility Agent on the network segment for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling registrations from the Mobile Node; and sending a list of registrations currently handled by the active Mobility Agent on the network segment to a new standby Mobility Agent on the network segment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
117 words
A standby Mobility Agent for providing Mobile IP redundancy, comprising: a processor; and a memory, wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are adapted for: determining that an active Mobility Agent, with which the standby Mobility Agent shares a virtual IP address known to a Mobile Node, is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent on a network segment for the Mobile Node; assuming the role of active Mobility Agent on the network segment for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling registrations from the Mobile Node; and sending a list of registrations currently handled by the active Mobility Agent on the network segment to a new standby Mobility Agent on the network segment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The standby Mobility Agent of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are further adapted for assuming the role of standby Mobility Agent prior to determining that an active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The standby Mobility Agent of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are further adapted for registering the Mobile Node when it moves to a new location, wherein the Mobility Agent is a Home Agent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
The standby Mobility Agent of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are further adapted for receiving a registration entry from the active Mobility Agent, which registration entry specifies registration of the Mobile Node at a remote location prior to determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The standby Mobility Agent of claim 16 , wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are further adapted for adding the registration entry to a mobility binding table in the standby Mobility Agent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
The standby Mobility Agent of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are further adapted for receiving an entire mobility binding table or an entire visitor table specifying multiple registration entries from the active Mobility Agent prior to determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
The standby Mobility Agent of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are further adapted for determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent comprise instructions for receiving a resign message from the active Mobility Agent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
The standby Mobility Agent of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are further adapted for determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent comprise instructions for determining that no hello message has been received from the active Mobility Agent within a predefined length of time.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The standby Mobility Agent of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are further adapted for adopting the virtual IP address in order to assume the role of active Mobility Agent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
The standby Mobility Agent of claim 21 , wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are further adapted for adopting a virtual MAC address in order to assume the role of active Mobility Agent.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The standby Mobility Agent of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are further adapted for preempting the active Mobility Agent if the active Mobility Agent has a lower priority than the standby Mobility Agent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
73 words
A computer readable medium for maintaining Mobile IP operation in an active Mobility Agent on a network segment, comprising: instructions for registering a Mobile Node; instructions for creating a registration entry internally for the Mobile Node; and instructions for sending a message notifying a standby Mobility Agent on the network segment of the registration, the active Mobility Agent and the standby Mobility Agent sharing a virtual IP address known to the Mobile Node.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
73 words
A computer readable medium for maintaining Mobile IP operation in an active Mobility Agent on a network segment, comprising: instructions for registering a Mobile Node; instructions for creating a registration entry internally for the Mobile Node; and instructions for sending a message notifying a standby Mobility Agent on the network segment of the registration, the active Mobility Agent and the standby Mobility Agent sharing a virtual IP address known to the Mobile Node.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
70 words
The computer readable medium of claim 24 , further comprising: instructions for receiving a request from the standby Mobility Agent to dump registration entries for an entire mobility binding table, or a visitor table, containing multiple registration entries from the active Mobility Agent to the standby Mobility Agent; and instructions for dumping the registration entries for the mobility binding table from the active Mobility Agent to the standby Mobility Agent.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer readable medium of claim 24 , further comprising: instructions for periodically sending hello messages to the standby Mobility Agent, thereby notifying the standby Mobility Agent that the active Mobility Agent continues to function as the active Mobility Agent.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
The computer readable medium of claim 24 , further comprising: instructions for periodically sending hello messages to a standby group of routers, each configured to act as an active Mobility Agent, thereby notifying the standby group that the active Mobility Agent continues to function as the active Mobility Agent.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer readable medium of claim 24 , further comprising: instructions for sending a resign message to the standby Mobility Agent before resigning the post of active Mobility Agent.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
85 words
An active Mobility Agent on a network segment, the active Mobility Agent being adapted for maintaining Mobile IP operation, comprising: a processor; and a memory, at least one of the processor and the memory being adapted for: registering a Mobile Node; creating a registration entry internally for the Mobile Node; and sending a message notifying a standby Mobility Agent on the network segment of the registration, the active Mobility Agent and the standby Mobility Agent sharing a virtual IP address known to the Mobile Node.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
85 words
An active Mobility Agent on a network segment, the active Mobility Agent being adapted for maintaining Mobile IP operation, comprising: a processor; and a memory, at least one of the processor and the memory being adapted for: registering a Mobile Node; creating a registration entry internally for the Mobile Node; and sending a message notifying a standby Mobility Agent on the network segment of the registration, the active Mobility Agent and the standby Mobility Agent sharing a virtual IP address known to the Mobile Node.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
78 words
The active Mobility Agent of claim 29 , wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are further adapted for: receiving a request from the standby Mobility Agent to dump registration entries for an entire mobility binding table, or a visitor table, containing multiple registration entries from the active Mobility Agent to the standby Mobility Agent; and dumping the registration entries for the mobility binding table from the active Mobility Agent to the standby Mobility Agent.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
50 words
The active Mobility Agent of claim 29 , wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are further adapted for: periodically sending hello messages to the standby Mobility Agent, thereby notifying the standby Mobility Agent that the active Mobility Agent continues to function as the active Mobility Agent.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
59 words
The active Mobility Agent of claim 29 , wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are further adapted for: periodically sending hello messages to a standby group of routers, each configured to act as an active Mobility Agent, thereby notifying the standby group that the active Mobility Agent continues to function as the active Mobility Agent.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
The active Mobility Agent of claim 29 , wherein at least one of the processor and the memory are further adapted for: sending a resign message to the standby Mobility Agent before resigning the post of active Mobility Agent.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
65 words
An active Mobility Agent adapted for maintaining Mobile IP operation, comprising: means for registering a Mobile Node; means for creating a registration entry internally for the Mobile Node; and means for sending a message notifying a standby Mobility Agent on the network segment of the registration, the active Mobility Agent and the standby Mobility Agent sharing a virtual IP address known to the Mobile Node.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
65 words
An active Mobility Agent adapted for maintaining Mobile IP operation, comprising: means for registering a Mobile Node; means for creating a registration entry internally for the Mobile Node; and means for sending a message notifying a standby Mobility Agent on the network segment of the registration, the active Mobility Agent and the standby Mobility Agent sharing a virtual IP address known to the Mobile Node.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
119 words
A router adapted for providing redundancy for a network segment, comprising: means for assuming the status of standby router on the network segment to backup an active router on the network segment, with which the standby router shares a virtual IP address known to a host based at the network segment; means for determining that the active router is no longer acting as an active router for the host; means for assuming the role of active router for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling packet exchange tasks for the host; and means for apprising a new standby router of an entry to a dynamic list specifying the status of one or more hosts based at the network segment.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
119 words
A router adapted for providing redundancy for a network segment, comprising: means for assuming the status of standby router on the network segment to backup an active router on the network segment, with which the standby router shares a virtual IP address known to a host based at the network segment; means for determining that the active router is no longer acting as an active router for the host; means for assuming the role of active router for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling packet exchange tasks for the host; and means for apprising a new standby router of an entry to a dynamic list specifying the status of one or more hosts based at the network segment.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
130 words
A router adapted for providing redundancy for a network segment, comprising: a processor; and a memory, at least one of the processor and the memory being adapted for: assuming the status of standby router on the network segment to backup an active router on the network segment, with which the standby router shares a virtual IP address known to a host based at the network segment; determining that the active router is no longer acting as an active router for the host; means for assuming the role of active router for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling packet exchange tasks for the host; and apprising a new standby router of an entry to a dynamic list specifying the status of one or more hosts based at the network segment.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
130 words
A router adapted for providing redundancy for a network segment, comprising: a processor; and a memory, at least one of the processor and the memory being adapted for: assuming the status of standby router on the network segment to backup an active router on the network segment, with which the standby router shares a virtual IP address known to a host based at the network segment; determining that the active router is no longer acting as an active router for the host; means for assuming the role of active router for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling packet exchange tasks for the host; and apprising a new standby router of an entry to a dynamic list specifying the status of one or more hosts based at the network segment.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
120 words
A computer readable medium for providing redundancy for a network segment, comprising: instructions for assuming the status of standby router on the network segment to backup an active router on the network segment, with which the standby router shares a virtual IP address known to a host based at the network segment; instructions for determining that the active router is no longer acting as an active router for the host; instructions for assuming the role of active router for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling packet exchange tasks for the host; and instructions for apprising a new standby router of an entry to a dynamic list specifying the status of one or more hosts based at the network segment.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
120 words
A computer readable medium for providing redundancy for a network segment, comprising: instructions for assuming the status of standby router on the network segment to backup an active router on the network segment, with which the standby router shares a virtual IP address known to a host based at the network segment; instructions for determining that the active router is no longer acting as an active router for the host; instructions for assuming the role of active router for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling packet exchange tasks for the host; and instructions for apprising a new standby router of an entry to a dynamic list specifying the status of one or more hosts based at the network segment.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a standby Mobility Agent, a method of providing Mobile IP redundancy, the method comprising: receiving a list of registrations for one or more Mobile Nodes from an active Mobility Agent on a network segment, the active Mobility Agent sharing a virtual IP address with the standby Mobility Agent; determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent on the network segment; and assuming the role of active Mobility Agent on the network segment for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling the list of registrations for the one or more Mobile Nodes.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a standby Mobility Agent, a method of providing Mobile IP redundancy, the method comprising: receiving a list of registrations for one or more Mobile Nodes from an active Mobility Agent on a network segment, the active Mobility Agent sharing a virtual IP address with the standby Mobility Agent; determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent on the network segment; and assuming the role of active Mobility Agent on the network segment for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling the list of registrations for the one or more Mobile Nodes.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as recited in claim 38 , further comprising: after assuming the role of active Mobility Agent on the network segment, sending a list of registrations currently handled by the active Mobility Agent on the network segment to a new standby Mobility Agent on the network segment.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 39 , wherein the list of registrations sent comprises one or more entries from a mobility binding table maintained by the active Mobility Agent.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as recited in claim 39 , wherein the list of registrations sent comprises one or more entries from a visitor table maintained by the active Mobility Agent.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 38 , wherein the Mobility Agent is a Home Agent.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 38 , wherein the Mobility Agent is a Foreign Agent.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 38 , wherein the list of registrations received comprises one or more entries from a mobility binding table maintained by the active Mobility Agent.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as recited in claim 38 , wherein the list of registrations received comprises one or more entries from a visitor table maintained by the active Mobility Agent.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 38 , wherein when the standby Mobility Agent assumes the role of active Mobility Agent, it adopts the virtual IP address.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 38 , wherein when the standby Mobility Agent assumes the role of active Mobility Agent, it adopts a virtual MAC address.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer-readable medium storing thereon computer-readable instructions for performing a method in a standby Mobility Agent of providing Mobile IP redundancy, comprising: instructions for receiving a list of registrations for one or more Mobile Nodes from an active Mobility Agent on a network segment, the active Mobility Agent sharing a virtual IP address with the standby Mobility Agent; instructions for determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent on the network segment; and instructions for assuming the role of active Mobility Agent on the network segment for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling the list of registrations for the one or more Mobile Nodes.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer-readable medium storing thereon computer-readable instructions for performing a method in a standby Mobility Agent of providing Mobile IP redundancy, comprising: instructions for receiving a list of registrations for one or more Mobile Nodes from an active Mobility Agent on a network segment, the active Mobility Agent sharing a virtual IP address with the standby Mobility Agent; instructions for determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent on the network segment; and instructions for assuming the role of active Mobility Agent on the network segment for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling the list of registrations for the one or more Mobile Nodes.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
111 words
A standby Mobility Agent adapted for providing Mobile IP redundancy, comprising: a processor; and a memory, at least one of the processor and the memory being adapted for: receiving a list of registrations for one or more Mobile Nodes from an active Mobility Agent on a network segment, the active Mobility Agent sharing a virtual IP address with the standby Mobility Agent; determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent on the network segment; and assuming the role of active Mobility Agent on the network segment for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling the list of registrations for the one or more Mobile Nodes.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
111 words
A standby Mobility Agent adapted for providing Mobile IP redundancy, comprising: a processor; and a memory, at least one of the processor and the memory being adapted for: receiving a list of registrations for one or more Mobile Nodes from an active Mobility Agent on a network segment, the active Mobility Agent sharing a virtual IP address with the standby Mobility Agent; determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent on the network segment; and assuming the role of active Mobility Agent on the network segment for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling the list of registrations for the one or more Mobile Nodes.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
104 words
A standby Mobility Agent adapted for performing a method of providing Mobile IP redundancy, comprising: means for receiving a list of registrations for one or more Mobile Nodes from an active Mobility Agent on a network segment, the active Mobility Agent sharing a virtual IP address with the standby Mobility Agent; means for determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent on the network segment; and means for assuming the role of active Mobility Agent on the network segment for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling the list of registrations for the one or more Mobile Nodes.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
104 words
A standby Mobility Agent adapted for performing a method of providing Mobile IP redundancy, comprising: means for receiving a list of registrations for one or more Mobile Nodes from an active Mobility Agent on a network segment, the active Mobility Agent sharing a virtual IP address with the standby Mobility Agent; means for determining that the active Mobility Agent is no longer acting as a Mobility Agent on the network segment; and means for assuming the role of active Mobility Agent on the network segment for the shared virtual IP address, thereby handling the list of registrations for the one or more Mobile Nodes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-11-25 | 2006-05-27 | 2006-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-25 | 2010-05-27 | 2010-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-25 | 2014-05-27 | 2014-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |