US6804776B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for universal transport encapsulation for Internet Protocol network communications
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
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Filing: 1999-09-21
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Granted: 2004-10-12
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Expires: 2019-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A method for implementing a simple protocol, referred to as the universal transport interface (UTI), that can be used to create high speed Internet Protocol (IP) tunnels for transmitting a variety of different payloads across a network. Payload packets may comprise any currently known packet protocol, including but not limited to time division multiplex data, IP packets, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cells, Packet-over-SONET/SDH (POS) packets, and Frame Relay frames. The universal transport interface protocol consists of a predefined set of mappings whereby any known protocol can be packaged into a single, conceptually simple packet format. This format is referred to as the universal transport encapsulation (UTE) format. UTE format packets are, by design, amenable to transport over an IP network without further modification beyond standard IP encapsulation. The disclosed method further implements a security key system to prevent unauthorized use or interception of UTE packets on the network.
Inventors
- 👤 L. Peter J. Lothberg
- 👤 Anthony J. Bates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:52
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/02; H04L63/0272; H04L69/00; H04L69/16; H04L69/161; H04L69/168; H04L69/169; H04L63/029
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of transmitting a data payload packet in a communications network comprising: identifying a first packet protocol of said payload packet; determining a first mapping function from said first packet protocol, said determining further comprising determining a security key; and mapping said payload packet to a transport packet using said first mapping function, said mapping further comprising embedding said security key in said transport packet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of transmitting a data payload packet in a communications network comprising: identifying a first packet protocol of said payload packet; determining a first mapping function from said first packet protocol, said determining further comprising determining a security key; and mapping said payload packet to a transport packet using said first mapping function, said mapping further comprising embedding said security key in said transport packet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mapping said payload packet comprises prepending a transport packet header.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said transport header comprises one or more fixed length fields including said security key.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said transport header comprises a payload packet identifier field.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said payload packet identifier field is determined by agreement between a source interface and a destination interface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said payload packet identifier field is selected from one or more pre-arranged configuration parameters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said transport packet is encapsulated according to a protocol, said protocol comprising means for differential handling based on a quality of service parameter.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of receiving a data payload packet in a communications network comprising: determining a second mapping function from a transport packet, wherein said second mapping function is an inverse of a first mapping function; and mapping said transport packet to said data payload packet using said second mapping function, said mapping said transport packet further comprising verifying a security key.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of receiving a data payload packet in a communications network comprising: determining a second mapping function from a transport packet, wherein said second mapping function is an inverse of a first mapping function; and mapping said transport packet to said data payload packet using said second mapping function, said mapping said transport packet further comprising verifying a security key.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said verifying comprises comparing said security key to a stored value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said verifying comprises comparing said security key to a computed value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said verifying comprises discarding said transport packet and alerting an operator if said verifying fails.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
A computer system for transmitting a data payload in a communications network, comprising computer instructions for: identifying a first packet protocol of said payload packet; determining a first mapping function from said first packet protocol, said determining further comprising determining a security key; and mapping said payload packet to a transport packet using said first mapping function, said mapping further comprising embedding said security key in said transport packet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
A computer system for transmitting a data payload in a communications network, comprising computer instructions for: identifying a first packet protocol of said payload packet; determining a first mapping function from said first packet protocol, said determining further comprising determining a security key; and mapping said payload packet to a transport packet using said first mapping function, said mapping further comprising embedding said security key in said transport packet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer system of claim 12 wherein said mapping said payload packet comprises prepending a transport packet header.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer system of claim 13 wherein said transport header comprises one or more fixed length fields including said security key.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 13 wherein said transport header comprises a payload packet identifier field.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 15 wherein said payload packet identifier field is determined by agreement between a source interface and a destination interface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer system of claim 15 wherein said payload packet identifier field is selected from one or more pre-arranged configuration parameters.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer system of claim 12 wherein said transport packet is encapsulated according to a protocol, said protocol comprising means for differential handling based on a quality of service parameter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
A computer system for transmitting a data payload in a communications network, comprising computer instructions for: determining a second mapping function from a transport packet, wherein said second mapping function is an inverse of a first mapping function; and mapping said transport packet to said data payload packet using said second mapping function, said mapping said transport packet further comprising verifying a security key.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
A computer system for transmitting a data payload in a communications network, comprising computer instructions for: determining a second mapping function from a transport packet, wherein said second mapping function is an inverse of a first mapping function; and mapping said transport packet to said data payload packet using said second mapping function, said mapping said transport packet further comprising verifying a security key.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer system of claim 19 wherein said verifying comprises comparing said security key to a stored value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer system of claim 19 wherein said verifying comprises comparing said security key to a computed value.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 19 wherein said verifying comprises discarding said transport packet and alerting an operator if said verifying fails.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
62 words
A computer readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions for: identifying a first packet protocol of said payload packet; determining a first mapping function from said first packet protocol, said determining further comprising determining a security key; and mapping said payload packet to a transport packet using said first mapping function, said mapping further comprising embedding said security key in said transport packet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
62 words
A computer readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions for: identifying a first packet protocol of said payload packet; determining a first mapping function from said first packet protocol, said determining further comprising determining a security key; and mapping said payload packet to a transport packet using said first mapping function, said mapping further comprising embedding said security key in said transport packet.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 23 wherein said mapping said payload packet comprises prepending a transport packet header.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 24 wherein said transport header comprises one or more fixed length fields including said security key.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 24 wherein said transport header comprises a payload packet identifier field.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 24 wherein said payload packet identifier field is determined by agreement between a source interface and a destination interface.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 24 wherein said payload packet identifier field is selected from one or more pre-arranged configuration parameters.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 23 wherein said transport packet is encapsulated according to a protocol, said protocol comprising means for differential handling based on a quality of service parameter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
57 words
A computer readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions for: determining a second mapping function from a transport packet, wherein said second mapping function is an inverse of a first mapping function; and mapping said transport packet to said data payload packet using said second mapping function, said mapping said transport packet further comprising verifying a security key.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
57 words
A computer readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions for: determining a second mapping function from a transport packet, wherein said second mapping function is an inverse of a first mapping function; and mapping said transport packet to said data payload packet using said second mapping function, said mapping said transport packet further comprising verifying a security key.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 30 wherein said verifying comprises comparing said security key to a stored value.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 30 wherein said verifying comprises comparing said security key to a computed value.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 30 wherein said verifying comprises discarding said transport packet and alerting an operator if said verifying fails.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
66 words
A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave, comprising computer instructions for: identifying a first packet protocol of a payload packet; determining a first mapping function from said first packet protocol, said determining further comprising determining a security key; and mapping said payload packet to a transport packet using said first mapping function, said mapping further comprising embedding said security key in said transport packet.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
66 words
A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave, comprising computer instructions for: identifying a first packet protocol of a payload packet; determining a first mapping function from said first packet protocol, said determining further comprising determining a security key; and mapping said payload packet to a transport packet using said first mapping function, said mapping further comprising embedding said security key in said transport packet.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer data signal of claim 34 wherein said mapping said payload packet comprises prepending a transport packet header.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer data signal of claim 35 wherein said transport header comprises one or more fixed length fields including said security key.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer data signal of claim 35 wherein said transport header comprises a payload packet identifier field.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer data signal of claim 37 wherein said payload packet identifier field is determined by agreement between a source interface and a destination interface.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer data signal of claim 38 wherein said payload packet identifier field is selected from one or more pre-arranged configuration parameters.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer data signal of claim 34 wherein said transport packet is encapsulated according to a protocol, said protocol comprising means for differential handling based on a quality of service parameter.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
61 words
A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave, comprising computer instructions for: determining a second mapping function from a transport packet, wherein said second mapping function is an inverse of a first mapping function; and mapping said transport packet to said data payload packet using said second mapping function, said mapping said transport packet further comprising verifying a security key.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
61 words
A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave, comprising computer instructions for: determining a second mapping function from a transport packet, wherein said second mapping function is an inverse of a first mapping function; and mapping said transport packet to said data payload packet using said second mapping function, said mapping said transport packet further comprising verifying a security key.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer data signal of claim 41 wherein said verifying comprises comparing said security key to a stored value.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer data signal of claim 41 wherein said verifying comprises comparing said security key to a computed value.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer data signal of claim 41 wherein said verifying comprises discarding said transport packet and alerting an operator if said verifying fails.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-10-12 | 2008-04-12 | 2008-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-10-12 | 2012-04-12 | 2012-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-10-12 | 2016-04-12 | 2016-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |