Method and apparatus for content-based routing and filtering at routers using channels

Abstract

Channels between routers for use in packet routing via payload inspection. The channels constitute logical connections between routers and include subjects and attributes. Publishers create channels for routing particular types of content as defined by the subjects and attributes. The publishers also create proxies and notifications on the channels. The channel definitions for routers identify packet or message structures so that the routers can locate attributes in the packets for content-based routing. The routers apply the packet attributes to filters encapsulating subscriptions in order to perform the content-based routing in the network core. The routers also locally cache content, providing distributed caching of content throughout the network core.

1 . A method for configuring a channel to facilitate content-based routing, comprising:
 establishing a channel providing a logical communication path between a plurality of nodes in a publish-subscribe network, wherein the channel is a collection of logically related network resources;   configuring the channel for use in content-based routing of information over the communication path;   selecting a message format for transmission over the communication path based upon the channel; and   mapping subjects to numbers in the message format, wherein the subjects correspond with content to be published over the channel.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 6 , further including mapping subjects to numbers in the message format, wherein the subjects correspond with content to be published over the channel. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the configuring step includes configuring the channel for performing filtering of packets based upon subscriptions. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the establishing step includes distributing the channel among a plurality of routers in the network. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the establishing step includes setting up the channel based upon content to be published over the channel. 
   
   
       6 . A method for configuring a channel to facilitate content-based routing, comprising:
 establishing a channel providing a logical communication path between a plurality of nodes in a publish-subscribe network, wherein the establishing step includes:
 setting up the channel based upon content to be published over the channel; 
 determining a message format for the channel; 
 setting-up a proxy for the channel; 
 creating a notification based upon the message format; and 
 publishing the notification; 
   configuring the channel for use in content-based routing of information over the communication path; and   selecting a message format for transmission over the communication path based upon the channel.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further including receiving a subscription from a user for content published over the channel. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the receiving the subscription step includes: receiving a selection of the channel; and receiving parameters for the user's subscription for the channel. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , further including propagating the user's subscription over the channel to a router in a network core. 
   
   
       10 - 14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for configuring a channel to facilitate content-based routing, comprising:
 establish means for establishing a channel providing a logical communication path between a plurality of nodes in a publish-subscribe network, wherein the channel is a collection of logically related network resources;   configure means for configuring the channel for use in content-based routing of information over the communication path;   select means for selecting a message format for transmission over the communication path based upon the channel; and   means for mapping subjects to numbers in the message format, wherein the subjects correspond with content to be published over the channel.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , further including means for mapping subjects to numbers in the message format, wherein the subjects correspond with content to be published over the channel. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the configure means includes a means for configuring the channel for performing filtering of packets based upon subscriptions. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the establish means includes a means for distributing the channel among a plurality of routers in the network. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the establish means includes means for setting up the channel based upon content to be published over the channel. 
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for configuring a channel to facilitate content-based routing, comprising:
 establish means for establishing a channel providing a logical communication path between a plurality of nodes in a publish-subscribe network, wherein the channel is a collection of logically related network resources and wherein the establish means includes:
 means for setting up the channel based upon content to be published over the channel; 
 means for determining a message format for the channel; 
 means for setting-up a proxy for the channel; 
 means for creating a notification based upon the message format; and 
 means for publishing the notification; 
   configure means for configuring the channel for use in content-based routing of information over the communication path;   select means for selecting a message format for transmission over the communication path based upon the channel.   
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further including receive means for receiving a subscription from a user for content published over the channel. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the receive means includes: means for receiving a selection of the channel; and means for receiving parameters for the user's subscription for the channel. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further including means for propagating the user's subscription over the channel to a router in a network core. 
   
   
       24 - 28 . (canceled)