Computer gateway system

Abstract

A computer gateway system is disclosed. The system may include a multi-homing gateway with at least one interface connected to an IP compliant network. The gateway is to allow an IP address to be mapped to at least one virtual host. A virtual host configuration table is coupled to the multi-homing gateway and includes an association between the virtual hosts and IP addresses. The virtual hosts are in communication with the virtual host configuration table and can obtain the association between virtual hosts and IP addresses.

1 . A computer gateway system comprising: 
 a multi-homing gateway, the multi-homing gateway configured to allow an IP address to be mapped to at least one virtual host;    at least one virtual host configuration table, the virtual host configuration table including an association between the at least one virtual host and IP addresses;    said at least one virtual host being in communication with the virtual host configuration table to obtain the association between said at least one virtual host and IP addresses; and    at least one interface connected to an IP compliant network.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least one virtual hosts comprises a separate log file.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least one virtual host includes a separate configuration sub-file that is derived from said host configuration file.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the configuration sub-files may be used to enable or disable different functions for each of said at least one virtual hosts.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said configuration sub-files are used to specify which connections will be allowed or denied.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said configuration sub-files are used to specify which and types of traffic will be allowed or denied.  
     
     
         7 . A computer system comprising: 
 multi-homing gateway means for mapping an IP address to at least one virtual host means;    at least one virtual host configuration table means for providing an association between the at least one virtual host means and IP addresses;    communication means coupled with said at least one virtual host configuration table means for obtaining the association between said virtual host means and IP addresses; and    at least one interface means connected to an IP compliant network.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein each of said at least one virtual hosts further comprises separate log file means.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein each of said at least one virtual host means further comprises separate configuration sub-file means derived from said host configuration file means.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the configuration sub-files means further comprising means for enabling or disabling different functions for each of said at least one virtual host means.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said configuration sub-file means further comprise means for specifying which connections will be allowed or denied.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said configuration sub-file means further comprise means for specify which and types of traffic will be allowed or denied.  
     
     
         13 . A computer system comprising: 
 a multi-homing gateway at least one interface connected to an IP compliant network and configured to allow an IP address to be mapped to at least one virtual host;    at least one virtual host configuration table coupled to the multi-homing gateway and including an association between the at least one virtual host and IP addresses;    said at least one virtual host being in communication with the virtual host configuration table to obtain the association between said at least one virtual host and IP addresses.    
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein each of said at least one virtual hosts comprises a separate log file.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein each of said at least one virtual host includes a separate configuration sub-file that is derived from said host configuration file.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the configuration sub-files may be used to enable or disable different functions for each of said at least one virtual hosts.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said configuration sub-files are used to specify which connections will be allowed or denied.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said configuration sub-files are used to specify which and types of traffic will be allowed or denied.