Transferring data in a network

Abstract

A method for transferring an MPOA packet which is capable of permitting address resolution based on layer 3 packet filter information and capable of preventing establishing an undesirable short cut path. In an ATM network, an MPOA server 20 which received an address resolution request packet from an MPOA client 10 determines whether or not the address resolution request packet be forwarded to the other MPOA server or the other MPOA client based on a layer 3 packet filter information.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A system comprising:
 one or more processors to:
 determine whether an address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded; 
 forward the address resolution request packet to a destination when the address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded; and 
 forward, via a shortcut, a packet, associated with the address resolution request packet, to a client device when the packet can be transmitted via the shortcut and when the address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded. 
   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , where, when determining whether the address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded, the one or more processors are further to determine whether the address resolution request packet is to be forwarded based on layer 3 address information. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , where the address resolution request packet includes a source layer 3 address,
 the source layer 3 address facilitating establishing the shortcut.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , where, when determining whether the address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded, the one or more processors are further to:
 retrieve layer 3 filter information; and   determine whether the address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded based on the retrieved layer 3 filter information.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , where the one or more processors are further to:
 provide a source layer 3 address associated with the address resolution request packet;   provide a destination layer 3 address associated with the address resolution request packet; and   process the source layer 3 address and the destination layer 3 address to facilitate the determining if the address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , where the one or more processors are further to:
 identify the destination as a client device or a server device.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 6 , where, when determining whether the address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded, the one or more processors are further to:
 inform a packet processor of a result of the determining; and   process the address resolution request packet prior to the forwarding the address resolution request packet based on the result.   
     
     
         13 . A system comprising:
 one or more processors to:
 add an address extension portion to a packet when an address should be included in the address extension portion, 
 the address extension portion for use in determining whether the packet should be transmitted via a shortcut; and 
 transmit the packet via the shortcut when the address extension portion is present in the packet. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , where the one or more processors are further to:
 receive an instruction from a device on a network to commence processing associated with the packet.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , where, when receiving the instruction, the one or more processors are further to:
 receive the instruction from a server.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , where, the one or more processors are further to:
 produce a result that includes an instruction; and   determine whether the address should be included in the extension of the packet based on the instruction.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , where the one or more processors are further to:
 perform an address resolution request operation on the packet.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , where the address includes a layer 3 address. 
     
     
         19 . A computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more processors, the instructions comprising:
 one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
 determine whether an address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded; 
 forward the address resolution request packet to a destination when the address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded; and 
 forward, via a shortcut, a packet, associated with the address resolution request packet, to a client device when the packet can be transmitted via the shortcut and when the address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded. 
   
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , where the one or more instructions that cause the one or more processors to determine whether the address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded include one or more instructions that cause the one or more processors to determine whether the address resolution request packet is to be forwarded based on layer 3 address information. 
     
     
         21 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , where the address resolution request packet includes a source layer 3 address,
 the source layer 3 address facilitating establishing the shortcut.   
     
     
         22 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , where the one or more instructions that cause the one or more processors to determine whether the address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded include one or more instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
 retrieve layer 3 filter information; and   determine whether the address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded based on the retrieved layer 3 filter information.   
     
     
         23 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 22 , where the one or more instructions further comprise:
 one or more instructions that cause the one or more processors to:
 provide a source layer 3 address associated with the address resolution request packet; 
 provide a destination layer 3 address associated with the address resolution request packet; and 
 process the source layer 3 address and the destination layer 3 address to facilitate the determining if the address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded. 
   
     
     
         24 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , where the one or more instructions further comprise:
 one or more instructions that cause the one or more processors to:
 identify the destination as a client device or a server device. 
   
     
     
         25 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , where the one or more instructions that cause the one or more processors to determine whether the address resolution request packet is permitted to be forwarded include:
 one or more instructions that cause the one or more processors to:
 inform a packet processor of a result of the determining; and 
 process the address resolution request packet prior to the forwarding the address resolution request packet based on the result.