Service-based network packet routing redirection using an address server
View Patent ↗A network apparatus includes a plurality of service-option resources, each resource having a respective numerical network address. An address server stores the numerical network addresses together with a respective logical name corresponding to each numerical network address. The address server responds to queries by providing a numerical network address corresponding to a logical name contained in a respective query. A plurality of service selection gateways are coupled to the service-option resources and the address server. Each service selection gateway 1) receives user traffic from a respective user directed to a nominal destination, 2) determines if the nominal destination should be redirected to a respective logical name corresponding to one of the service-option resources in response to a respective user profile, and 3) queries the address server for a respective numerical network address to redirect according to the respective logical name.
1. A network system comprising:
a plurality of service-option resources each having a respective numerical network address;
an address server storing said numerical network addresses and a respective logical name corresponding to each numerical network address, said address server responding to queries by providing a numerical network address corresponding to a logical name contained in a respective query;
an authorization server storing respective user profiles for identifying service-option resources to which each one of a plurality of users are authorized to use; and
a plurality of service selection gateways coupled to said service-option resources, said address server, and said authorization server, each service selection gateway 1) receiving user traffic from a respective user directed to a nominal destination, 2) determining if said user traffic directed to said nominal destination should be redirected to a respective logical name corresponding to one of said service-option resources in response to a respective user profile, and 3) querying said address server for a respective numerical network address for redirecting said user traffic according to said respective logical name.
2. The network system of claim 1 wherein said numerical network addresses are comprised of IP addresses.
3. The network system of claim 1 wherein said service-option resources include subscription services and wherein said network system further comprises a service selection dashboard through which said users obtain authorization for said subscription services.
4. The network system of claim 1 wherein said service-option resources include at least one firewall resource.
5. The network system of claim 1 wherein said service-option resources include at least one virus-scanning resource.
6. The network system of claim 1 wherein said service-option resources include at least one content-filtering resource.
7. The network system of claim 1 wherein said service-option resources include at least one walled-garden resource.
8. A method of forwarding user traffic in a computer network including a plurality of service-option resources each having a respective numerical network address, said method comprising the steps of:
assigning a logical name corresponding to each of said numerical network addresses;
storing each of said numerical network addresses with its respective logical name in an address server;
storing respective user profiles for identifying service-option resources to which each one of a plurality of users are authorized to use;
receiving at a service selection gateway user traffic from a user in the form of a packet having a nominal destination;
determining a respective logical name to which said packet should be redirected in response to a respective user profile;
said service selection gateway querying said address server for a respective numerical network address corresponding to said respective logical name;
said address server responding with said respective numerical network address; and
said service selection gateway redirecting said packet to said respective numerical network address.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said numerical network addresses are comprised of IP addresses.
10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of directing said user to a service selection dashboard for configuring said user profile.
11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:
reconfiguring said service-option resources, resulting in changed numerical network addresses; and
modifying said stored numerical network addresses on said address server;
whereby said service selection gateway continues to redirect said packets to a correct numerical network address after said reconfiguring step without requiring any changes to said service selection gateway.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein said service-option resources include at least one firewall resource.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein said service-option resources include at least one virus-scanning resource.
14. The method of claim 8 wherein said service-option resources include at least one content-filtering resource.
15. The method of claim 8 wherein said service-option resources include at least one walled-garden resource.