Virtual dispersive routing

[0001] The present application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, each of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/999,603, filed Oct. 17, 2007, and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/133,935, filed Jul. 7, 2008, which provisional patent applications are each hereby incorporated herein by reference. The disclosure of the '603 application is set forth in Appendix A hereof, and the disclosure of the '935 application is set forth in Appendix B hereof. Both appendices are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] All of the material in this patent document, including the computer program listing, is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

[0003] Computer Program Listing

[0004] Submitted concurrently herewith via the USPTO's electronic filing system, and incorporated herein by reference, is a computer program listing illustrating instructions, routines, and/or other contents of a computer program. The computer program listing is for 59 computer files that may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A table setting forth the name, size, and last modified date of each file included in the computer program listing is set forth, collectively, in Table 1 of FIG. 6a and Table 2 of FIG. 6b. The computer program listing includes source code written in C. The name of each file should be changed from the value of the “File Name” column to the value of the “Rename To” column and then placed in a directory corresponding to the “Folder” column. The entries with a “/” should be placed in the root folder. The program is a proof of concept of routing at a client computer. The target hardware for this implementation includes a managed switch, two Cisco® routers, and 3 computers running Linux.

[0005] The present invention generally relates to network routing.

[0006] Conventional networks, such as the Internet, rely heavily on centralized routers to perform routing tasks. The vulnerability and fragility of these conventional networks make entities feel insecure about using them. There exist needs for improvement in network routing. One or more of these needs is addressed by one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0007] The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, the context of network routing, the present invention is not limited to use only in network routing, as will become apparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a computer arranged in electronic communication with one or more computer networks, the computer running an operating system and running a plurality of applications, each of the applications programmed to communicate over the computer network. The computer is characterized in that, the computer performs a method comprising the steps of, for each application, creating, for such application, a virtual machine that is configured to send and receive communications over the computer network, determining, for such application, a network protocol out of a plurality of available network protocols, the determined network protocol representing an appropriate network protocol, out of the plurality of available network protocols, for current communication requirements of the application, and causing the application, when communicating over the network, to send and receive communications via the created virtual machine using the determined network protocol. Multiple virtual machine instances are created and simultaneously maintained by the computer, each virtual machine instance handling communications of one of the plurality of applications via a networking protocol that has been determined to be appropriate for the current communication requirements of the application.

[0009] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the computer performs the method by executing a virtual dispersive routing program.

[0010] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the computer is a personal computer.

[0011] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the computer is a personal desktop computer.

[0012] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the computer is a personal laptop or notebook computer.

[0013] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of applications includes an email application, an internet browser application, and a streaming audio or video application.

[0014] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of applications include a computer game.

[0015] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of applications includes a massive multiplayer online role playing game.

[0016] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of applications includes a video game.

[0017] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the computer is a video game console.

[0018] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the computer comprises a plurality of processing cores.

[0019] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the computer comprises a plurality of processing cores, and wherein the computer performs the method by executing a multi-core virtual dispersive routing program.

[0020] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, different communication requirements differ at least in terms of maximum latency requirements and minimum bandwidth requirements.

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a computer arranged in electronic communication with one or more computer networks, the computer running an operating system and running a plurality of applications, each of the applications programmed to communicate over the computer network. The computer is characterized in that, the computer performs a method comprising the steps of, for each application, creating, for such application, a first virtual machine that is configured to send and receive communications over the computer network, determining, for such application, a first network protocol out of a plurality of available network protocols, the first network protocol representing an appropriate network protocol, out of the plurality of available network protocols, for a first set of communication requirements of the application, and causing the application, when communicating over the network under the first set of communication requirements of the application, to send and receive communications via the first virtual machine using the first network protocol, creating, for such application, a second virtual machine that is configured to send and receive communications over the computer network, the second virtual machine being a separate virtual machine instance from that of the first virtual machine, determining, for such application, a second network protocol out of a plurality of available network protocols, the second network protocol representing an appropriate network protocol, out of the plurality of available network protocols, for a second set of communication requirements of the application, the second set of communication requirements being different from the first set, and causing the application, when communicating over the network under the second set of communication requirements of the application, to send and receive communications via the second virtual machine using the second network protocol. Multiple virtual machine instances are created and simultaneously maintained by the computer for each of the plurality of applications, each virtual machine instance handling communications under a set of communication requirements of one of the plurality of applications via a networking protocol that has been determined to be appropriate for such set of communication requirements of the application.

[0022] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the computer performs the method by executing a virtual dispersive routing program.

[0023] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the computer is a personal computer.

[0024] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the computer is a personal desktop computer.

[0025] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the computer is a personal laptop or notebook computer.

[0026] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of applications includes an email application, an internet browser application, and a streaming audio or video application.

[0027] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of applications includes a computer game.

[0028] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of applications includes a massive multiplayer online role playing game.

[0029] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of applications includes a video game.

[0030] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the computer is a video game console.

[0031] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the computer comprises a plurality of processing cores.

[0032] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the computer comprises a plurality of processing cores, and wherein the computer performs the method by executing a multi-core virtual dispersive routing program.

[0033] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, different communication requirements differ at least in terms of maximum latency requirements and minimum bandwidth requirements.

[0034] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of routing data over a network at a client device using virtualization. The method includes the steps of receiving a request for a network connection from an application running on the client device; spawning a virtual machine adapted to virtualize network capabilities of the client device; selecting a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols; determining a first node to communicate with, said determination being informed by network information stored on the client device; and communicating, using the selected routing protocol, data of the application to the first node.

[0035] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, said selection of a routing protocol is informed by information associated with the application.

[0036] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the method further includes spawning another virtual machine adapted to virtualize network capabilities of the client device; selecting a second routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols; determining a second node to communicate with, said determination being informed by network information stored on the client device; and communicating, using the selected second routing protocol, data of the application to the second node.

[0037] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the method further includes, prior to said step of spawning another virtual machine, the step of determining that the application requires another network connection.

[0038] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the step of determining that the application requires another network connection comprises determining whether a current network connection can meet performance requirements of the application.

[0039] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, said step of communicating comprises transmitting packets of data.

[0040] In a feature of one or more aspect of the invention, said packets are IP packets.

[0041] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the method further includes, prior to the step of receiving a request for a network connection, the steps of querying a network for the network information; storing the network information in a computer readable medium.

[0042] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the method further includes, prior to the step of receiving a request for a network connection, the steps of querying a network for data relating to the network, generating a routing table based on the data relating to the network, and storing the routing table in a computer readable medium. The network information that informs said determining step comprises information stored in the routing table.

[0043] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of available routing protocols includes the Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP).

[0044] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of available routing protocols includes the Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP).

[0045] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of available routing protocols includes the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP).

[0046] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of available routing protocols includes the Constrained Shortest Path First (CSPF) protocol.

[0047] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the selected routing protocol is ported to run on a chip core.

[0048] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the selected routing protocol is run multiple cores.

[0049] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of available routing protocols includes pro-active routing algorithms.

[0050] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of available routing protocols includes reactive routing algorithms.

[0051] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of available routing protocols includes flow oriented routing algorithms.

[0052] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of available routing protocols includes adaptive routing algorithms.

[0053] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of available routing protocols includes hybrid routing algorithms.

[0054] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of available routing protocols includes hierarchical routing algorithms.

[0055] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of available routing protocols includes geographical routing algorithms.

[0056] In a feature of one or more aspects of the invention, the plurality of available routing protocols includes power aware routing algorithms.

[0057] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for providing information relating to a node along a network path. The method includes receiving, at a first node, a packet transmitted by a client device, the packet including a header and a payload; storing, at the first node, information from the packet in a computer readable medium; appending, to the payload of the packet, information associated with the first node; determining a second node to transmit the packet to, said determination being informed by network information stored on the first node; and transmitting the packet to the second node.

[0058] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the information from the packet includes information relating to a routing protocol, and wherein said transmitting step comprises transmitting the packet utilizing the routing protocol.

[0059] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of determining a path of a packet. The method includes receiving a packet including a header and a payload, the payload including information appended to the payload by each of a plurality of nodes, the information appended to the payload by each of the plurality of nodes including information associated with the node that appended it; storing the payload in a computer readable medium; and analyzing the information appended to the payload by each of the plurality of nodes to determine a path of the packet.

[0060] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the method further includes determining whether the path of the packet satisfies previously defined connection requirements.

[0061] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of responding to a dropped connection. The method includes transmitting a packet to a first node using a first routing protocol for communication to a destination device; setting a predefined timer, the predefined timer having a value corresponding to an amount of time greater than an average response time of the destination device; and upon expiration of the predefined timer, automatically transmitting the packet to a second node using a second routing protocol for communication to the destination device.

[0062] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the first routing protocol and the second routing protocol are the same routing protocol.

[0063] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the first node and the second node are the same node.

[0064] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of responding to a corrupted packet. The method includes receiving a packet from a transmitting device at a first virtual machine of a destination device; determining whether the packet has been tampered with, said determination being informed by information from an application running on the client device; quarantining the packet; spawning a new virtual machine at the destination device; and communicating, using the new virtual machine, with the transmitting device.

[0065] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, said step of communicating comprises communicating using a routing protocol different from a routing protocol used to transmit the packet.

[0066] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, said step of communicating comprises communicating using a path different from a path used to transmit the packet.

[0067] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the method further includes shutting down the first virtual machine.

[0068] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of responding to a network attack. The method includes communicating with a remote device through a first virtual machine of a client device; detecting a network attack at the first virtual machine of the client device; spawning a second virtual machine at the client device; and communicating with the remote device through the second virtual machine of the client device.

[0069] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, said step of communicating through a first virtual machine comprises communicating via a path and said step of communicating through the second virtual machine comprises communicating via a different path.

[0070] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, said step of communicating through a first virtual machine comprises communicating via a network protocol and said step of communicating through the second virtual machine comprises communicating via a different network protocol.

[0071] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the method further includes shutting down the first virtual machine.

[0072] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the method further includes monitoring communications received through the first virtual machine.

[0073] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the method further includes generating a third virtual machine; determining a source of the network attack; and initiating a retaliatory network attack through the third virtual machine against the source of the network attack.

[0074] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of routing data over a network at a client device using virtualization. The method includes detecting a request for a network connection from an application running on the client device; determining, from the application, application-specific information associated with the application; using the application-specific information, selecting a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols; and using the selected routing protocol, transmitting data of the application from the client device over the network.

[0075] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of routing data over a network at a client device using virtualization. The method includes the steps of detecting, at a virtual router on the client device, a request for a network connection from an application running on the client device; spawning, by the virtual router, a virtual machine adapted to virtualize network capabilities of the client device; selecting, by the virtual router, a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols; and communicating, using the selected routing protocol, data of the application to the first node.

[0076] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of routing data over a network at a client device using virtualization. The method includes the steps of detecting, at a virtual router on the client device, a request for a network connection from an application running on the client device; selecting, by the virtual router, a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols; determining, by the virtual router, a first node to communicate with, said determination being informed by network information stored on the client device; and using a virtual machine on the client device, communicating, using the selected routing protocol, data of the application to the first node.

[0077] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of routing data over a network at a client device using virtualization. The method includes detecting, at a virtual router on the client device, a request for a network connection from an application running on the client device; spawning, by the virtual router, a virtual machine adapted to virtualize network capabilities of the client device; selecting, by the virtual router, a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols; determining, by the virtual router, a first node to communicate with according to the selected routing protocol; and, using a virtual machine on the client device, communicating data of the application to the first node.

[0078] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of routing data over a network at client devices using virtualization. The method includes the steps of detecting, at a first virtual router on a first client device, a request for a network connection from an application running on the first client device; selecting, by the first virtual router, a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols; using a virtual machine on the first client device, transmitting, according to the routing protocol selected by the first virtual router, data of the first client device application from the first client device over the network; receiving the data at a second client device; detecting, at a second virtual router on the second client device, a request for a network connection from an application running on the second client device; selecting, by the second virtual router, a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols; and using a virtual machine on the second client device, transmitting, according to the routing protocol selected by the second virtual router, data of the second client device application from the second client device over the network.

[0079] In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the first routing protocol is different from the second routing protocol.

[0080] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of determining a routing path of a packet. The method includes receiving, at a client device in a network, a packet including a header and a payload, the payload including information appended to the payload by at least one other node in the network, the information appended to the payload by each of the at least one network node including information associated with the node that appended it; analyzing, at a virtual router on the client device, the information appended to the payload by each of the at least one network node; based at least partly on the analyzed information, selecting, by the virtual router, a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols; and transmitting, according to the routing protocol selected by the virtual router, the packet over the network.

[0081] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of determining a routing path of a packet, comprising: receiving, at a client device in a network, a packet including a header and a payload, the payload including information appended to the payload by at least one other node in the network, the information appended to the payload by each of the at least one network node including information associated with the node that appended it; based at least partly on content of the payload, selecting, by a virtual router on the client device, a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols; appending additional information, including information associated with the client device, to the payload; and transmitting, according to the routing protocol selected by the virtual router, the packet, included the appended payload, over the network.

[0082] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a virtual dispersive routing software client stored in a computer readable medium of a client device. The virtual dispersive routing software includes a virtual machine manager, adapted to spawn virtual machines; a routing platform including software adapted to implement a plurality of routing protocols; a controller adapted to intercept network requests intended for a network card; and an application interface adapted to communicate information relating to an application running on the client device to the controller.

[0083] Another aspect of the present invention relates to the application interface.

[0084] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a spider comprising a connective link between an upper level and a lower level of a protocol stack.

[0085] In a feature of one or more aspects of the present invention, the computer is a handheld mobile device.

[0086] In a feature of one or more aspects of the present invention, the computer is a mobile phone.

[0087] In a feature of one or more aspects of the present invention, the plurality of available routing protocols includes the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol.

[0088] In a feature of one or more aspects of the present invention, the network is a wireless network.

[0089] In a feature of one or more aspects of the present invention, the network is a Wi-Fi network.

[0090] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of utilizing information from one layer of a protocol stack to inform decisions at another layer of the protocol stack.

[0091] The method includes loading a spider configured to thread together an upper application layer and a lower layer of a protocol stack; receiving a packet at the lower layer; running a checksum on the packet; and determining whether a value returned from the checksum corresponds to a value associated with the application layer.

[0092] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of utilizing a spider. The method includes loading a spider configured to thread together a first layer and a second layer of a protocol stack; and utilizing information associated with the first layer to inform a decision at the second layer.

[0093] In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention further encompasses the various possible combinations and subcombinations of such aspects and features.

[0102] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0103] Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

[0104] Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

[0105] Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

[0106] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.”

[0107] When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.”

[0108] Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

[0109] Virtual dispersive routing (hereinafter, “VDR”) relates generally to providing routing capabilities at a plurality of client devices using virtualization. Whereas traditional routing calls for most, if not all, routing functionality to be carried out by centrally located specialized routing devices, VDR enables dispersed client devices to assist with, or even takeover, routing functionality, and thus is properly characterized as dispersive. Advantageously, because routing is performed locally at a client device, a routing protocol is selected by the client based upon connection requirements of the local application initiating the connection. A protocol can be selected for multiple such connections and multiple routing protocols can even be utilized simultaneously. The fragile nature of the routing protocols will be appreciated, and thus virtualization is utilized together with the localization of routing to provide a much more robust system. Consequently, such dispersive routing is properly characterized as virtual.

[0110] More specifically, preferred VDR implementations require that a VDR software client be loaded on each client device to help control performance of a network. Preferably, VDR is implemented exclusively as software and does not include any hardware components. Preferably, the basic components of a VDR software client include a routing platform (hereinafter, “RP”), a virtual machine monitor (hereinafter, “VMM”), a dispersive controller (hereinafter, “DC”), and an application interface (hereinafter, “AI”). FIG. 1 illustrates each of these components loaded onto a client device.

[0111] Despite eschewing the traditional routing model utilizing central points of control, VDR is designed to function with existing routing protocols. Supported routing protocols, together with software necessary for their use, are included in the routing platform component of the VDR software, which can be seen in FIG. 1. For example, the RP includes software to implement and support the Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (“IGRP”), the Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (“EIGRP”), the Border Gateway Protocol (“BGP”), the Open Shortest Path First (“OSPF”) protocol, and the Constrained Shortest Path First (“CSPF”) protocol. It will be appreciated that in at least some embodiments, a port will be needed to allow conventional routing software to run on a chip core (for example, a core of an Intel chip) at a client device. Preferably, multi-core components are used to allow routing protocols to be run on multiple cores to improve overall performance.

[0112] Moreover, it will be appreciated that the ability to support multiple routing protocols allows VDR to meet the needs of applications having varying mobility requirements. Applications can be supported by ad hoc algorithms such as pro-active (table driven) routing, reactive (on-demand) routing, flow oriented routing, adaptive (situation aware) routing, hybrid (pro-active/reactive) routing, hierarchical routing, geographical routing, and power aware routing. Further, the use of multiple protocols supports broadcasting, multi-casting, and simul-casting. It will be appreciated that the use of multiple protocols provides support for multi-threaded networking as well.

[0113] It will be appreciated that virtualization is known in some computing contexts, such as virtualization of memory and processing. Virtualization enables the abstraction of computer resources and can make a single physical resource appear, and function, as multiple logical resources. Traditionally, this capability enables developers to abstract development of an application so that it runs homogenously across many hardware platforms. More generally, virtualization is geared to hiding technical detail through encapsulation. This encapsulation provides the mechanism to support complex networking and improved security that is required to enable routing at client devices.

[0114] More specifically, a virtual machine (hereinafter, “VM”) is a software copy of a real machine interface. The purpose of running a VM is to provide an environment that enables a computer to isolate and control access to its services. A virtual machine monitor is used to run a plurality of VMs on a real machine and interface directly with that real machine. As an example, consider a VMM on a real machine that creates and runs a plurality of VMs. A different operating system is then loaded onto each VM. Each VM provides a virtual interface that would appear to each operating system to be a real machine. The VMM runs the plurality VMs, and interfaces with the real machine.

[0115] In a VDR implementation, a VMM is utilized to create a VM for each distinct connection. It is helpful to explain at this juncture that what comprises a connection can vary, but in general includes a transfer of data in the form of packets from a first end device to a second end device along a path (or route). It will be appreciated that a single application can require multiple connections, for example an application may require multiple connections because of bandwidth application requirements and performance requirements; in this event each connection preferably interfaces with its own VM and each connection can utilize (sometimes referred to as being tied to) the same routing protocol or different routing protocols, even though the connections are themselves necessitated by the same application. Similarly, although two connections may at times travel along an identical path, the connections themselves are nevertheless distinct, and each will preferably still continue to interface with its own VM.

[0116] In any event, when the client is in need of a new connection, a dispersive controller located between an operating system and a driver that controls network hardware (such as a NIC card) intercepts the request for a new connection and tells the VMM to spawn a new VM associated with the desired connection. The DC then queries the application interface and utilizes any information obtained to select a routing protocol from among those supported by the routing platform. This selected routing protocol, however, is currently believed to be generally useless without knowledge of the surrounding network. To this end, the DC allows each client to find other clients, interrogate network devices, and utilize system resources. Thus, each VDR client is “network aware”, in that routing information is gathered and maintained at each client by the DC.

[0117] FIG. 2 illustrates how a VDR client 201 gathers LAN routing information and queries an external network for backbone information and application-specific routing information. In response to these queries, routing information is returned. This returned routing information is cached, processed, data mined, compared to historical data, and used to calculate performance metrics to gauge and determine the overall effectiveness of the network. This is possible because the resources available at a VDR client will typically be greater than those available at a conventional router.

[0118] In at least some embodiments, a VDR network functions in some ways similarly to a conventional network. In a conventional network, data, in the form of packets, is sent to a router to be routed according to a routing table maintained at the router. Similarly, in a VDR network, after utilizing gathered network information to generate a routing table, a client device utilizes this generated routing table to select a route and transmit a packet accordingly, which packet is then received by another client device and routed according to that client's routing table, and so on, until the packet reaches its destination.

[0119] However, rather than simply passing on received packets from client to client, in a manner akin to a traditional router, VDR, via the DC, instead takes advantage of the storage and processing resources available at each client, while still remaining compatible with existing network architecture, by attaching lower level protocol data to the payload of transmitted packets for subsequent client analysis.

[0120] More specifically, when a packet is received at a VDR client, a virtual machine intercepts the packet passed from the networking hardware (for example, a NIC card) and places it in memory. The VDR client then processes the packet data. When the data is subsequently passed on, this processed data is appended to the payload of the packet together with information relating to the VDR client for analysis at the destination. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the result of this process is that each hop causes additional information to be added to the payload of a packet, and thus results in a direct increase in payload size proportionate to the number of hops taken by the packet. Specifically, each hop is believed to result in an increase of 35 bytes for an IPv4 implementation, and 59 bytes for an IPv6 implementation. Table 3 of FIG. 7 details the information stored from each layer, along with the number of bytes allotted for each field. It will be appreciated that different or additional information could be stored in alternative embodiments.

[0121] Currently, 128-bit addressing provides support for IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, but support for additional addressing schemes is contemplated. It will be appreciated that for a typical communication over the Internet, i.e., one consisting of around 20 hops, the overhead appended to the payload will be around 700 bytes utilizing IPv4 and around 1180 bytes utilizing IPv6. In a worst case scenario, an extra IP datagram could be required for every datagram sent. Although some of this data may seem redundant at first blush, some repetition is tolerable and even necessary because network address translation (“NAT”) can change source or destination fields. That being said, it is contemplated that some implementations use caching to lower this overhead. Additionally, in at least some implementations, the VDR client utilizes application specific knowledge to tailor the information that is appended to the needs of a specific application.

[0122] Conventionally, when a packet is received at a router, routing information is typically stripped off each packet by the router and disregarded. This is because each router has limited memory and handles an enormous number of packets. When a packet is received at a destination VDR client, however, the destination client has sufficient resources to store and process the information delivered to it. Additionally, to the extent that client resources may be taxed, the VDR client need not always store this information in every packet received, as in at least some embodiments application knowledge provides the client with an understanding of which packets are important to applications running on the client. Regardless of whether some or all of this information delivered in the payload of each data packet is processed, the information that is processed is analyzed to create a “network fingerprint” of the nodes involved in the communication link. Thus, VDR software loaded on nodes along a path enables the nodes to append information regarding a path of a packet, which in turn enables the generation of a network fingerprint at the destination device, which network fingerprint represents a historical record that is stored and maintained for later forensic analysis. In addition to forensic analysis by the client, the maintenance of network information on the client enables forensic analysis by a server as well.

[0123] One of the benefits of providing routing functionality at a client device is that the client is able to utilize its knowledge of the application initiating a connection to enhance routing performance for that application. This knowledge is provided to the DC via an application interface, as can be seen in FIG. 1. Utilizing application knowledge to enhance routing performance could be useful to a variety of applications, such, as for example, computer games including massively multiplayer online role playing games.

[0124] The virtualization of routing functionality at a client device, as described hereinabove, allows multiple routing protocols and algorithms to be run simultaneously on a client device. Thus, the DC utilizes the application interface to obtain required criteria for an application connection and then chooses from among the protocols and algorithms available under the routing protocol software.

[0125] For example, Application A may need to communicate very large amounts of data, and thus require a routing protocol that optimizes bandwidth, while Application B may only need to communicate very small amounts of data at very fast speeds, and thus require a routing protocol that minimizes latency irrespective of bandwidth. A traditional router cannot tell the difference between packets originating from Application A and those originating from Application B, and thus will utilize the same routing protocol for packets from each application. A VDR client, however, is aware of applications running locally, and thus can be aware of various connection criteria for each application. These connection criteria can then be utilized by the VDR client to select a routing protocol or algorithm. As described hereinabove, both the selected routing protocol and the originating application associated with a packet can be communicated to other client nodes via data appended to the payload of the packet. Thus, the protocol selected at a source client can be utilized to route the packet throughout its path to a destination client. Further, because virtualization allows multiple routing protocols to be run on a single client, each application can utilize its own routing protocol.

[0126] Moreover, a VDR client can utilize knowledge of the path of a specific connection to further optimize performance. Because a network fingerprint can be gathered detailing the nodes in a communication path, a VDR client running on a client device can analyze each network fingerprint to determine whether the associated connection satisfies the connection criteria of the application desiring to utilize the connection. If the connection does not satisfy the connection criteria, then the client can attempt to find a connection that does satisfy the criteria by switching to a different protocol and/or switching to a different first node in its routing table. Combinations utilizing various protocols and selecting a variety of first nodes can be attempted, and the resultant paths evaluated until a path is found that does satisfy connection criteria. Additionally, combinations utilizing various protocols and selecting a variety of first nodes can be utilized to create route redundancy. Such route redundancy can provide to an application both higher bandwidth and controllable quality of service.

[0127] Although connection criteria for source and destination clients will often be identical, there are many situations where this will not be the case. For example, if one client is downloading streaming video from another client, then the connection requirements for each client will likely not be identical. In this and other situations, connections between two clients may be asymmetrical, i.e., client A transmits packets to client B over path 1, but client B transmits packets to client A over path 2. In each case, because path information gleaned from the payload of packets is stored and processed at the destination client, the evaluation of whether the path meets the required connection criteria is made at the destination client. In the example above, client B would determine whether path 1 satisfies its application's connection criteria, while client A would determine whether path 2 satisfies its application's connection criteria.

[0128] Perhaps the epitome of a connection that does not satisfy connection criteria is a broken, or failed, connection. In the event of a connection break, VDR enjoys a significant advantage over more traditional routing. Conventionally, recognition of a connection break would require a timeout at an upper level application, with either the path being re-routed subsequent to the timeout or a connection failure message being presented to a user. A VDR client, however, is aware of generally how long it should take to receive a response to a transmitted communication, and can utilize this awareness to speed up route convergence for additional network connections to insure application robustness and performance requirements, performance requirements being defined as criteria that must be met to allow the application to run properly, i.e., video conferencing can't wait too long for packets to show up or else the audio “crackles” and the image “freezes.” For example, a VDR client may be aware that it should receive a response to a communication in 500 ms. If a response has not been received after 500 ms, the VDR client can initiate a new connection utilizing a different routing protocol and/or first node as outlined above with respect to finding a satisfactory connection path.

[0129] In addition to performance optimization, application knowledge can also be utilized to enhance network security. For example, an application may have certain security requirements. A VDR client aware of these requirements can create a “trusted network” connection that can be used to transfer information securely over this connection in accordance with the requirements of the application. A more traditional routing scheme could not ensure such a trusted connection, as it could not differentiate between packets needing this secure connection and other packets to be routed in a conventional manner.

[0130] But before elaborating on security measures that may be built in to a VDR implementation, it is worth noting that a VDR client is able to work in concert with an existing client firewall to protect software and hardware resources. It will be appreciated that conventional firewalls protect the flow of data into and out of a client and defend against hacking and data corruption. Preferably, VDR software interfaces with any existing client firewall for ease of integration with existing systems, but it is contemplated that in some implementations VDR software can include its own firewall. In either implementation, the VDR software can interface with the firewall to open and close ports as necessary, thereby controlling the flow of data in and out.

[0131] In addition to this firewall security, by utilizing application knowledge the VDR software can filter and control packets relative to applications running on the client. Thus, packets are checked not only to ensure a correct destination address, but further are checked to ensure that they belong to a valid client application.

[0132] One way VDR software can accomplish this is by utilizing “spiders” to thread together different layers of the protocol stack to enable data communication, thereby reducing delays and taking advantage of network topologies. Each spider represents software that is used to analyze data from different layers of the software stack and make decisions. These threaded connections can be used to speed data transfer in static configurations and modify data transfer in dynamic circumstances. As an example, consider a client device running a secure email application which includes a security identification code. Packets for this application include a checksum that when run will come up with this identification code. A spider would allow this upper level application security identification code to be connected to the lower layer. Thus, the lower layer could run a checksum on incoming packets and discard those that do not produce the identification code. It will be appreciated that a more complex MD5 hash algorithm could be utilized as well.

[0133] Moreover, because the VDR software is knowledgeable of the application requiring a particular connection, the software can adaptively learn and identify atypical behavior from an outside network and react by quarantining an incoming data stream until it can be verified. This ability to match incoming data against application needs and isolate any potential security issues significantly undermines the ability of a hacker to gain access to client resources.

[0134] Additionally, when such a security issue is identified, a VDR client can take appropriate steps to ensure that it does not compromise the network. Because a VDR client is network aware and keeps track of other clients that it has been communicating with, when a security issue is identified, the VDR client can not only isolate the suspect connection, the VDR client can further initiate a new connection utilizing a different routing protocol and/or first node as outlined above with respect to finding a satisfactory connection path. Alternatively, or additionally, the VDR client could simply choose to switch protocols on the fly and communicate this switch to each client with which it is in communication.

[0135] FIGS. 4A-C provide a simplified example of such action for illustrative effect. In FIG. 4A, VDR client 403 is communicating with VDR client 405 over connection 440. In FIG. 4B, external computer 411 tries to alter packet 491 transmitted from client 403 to client 405. Client 405 runs a hashing algorithm on the received packet 491 and identifies that it has been corrupted. Client 405 then quarantines packets received via connection 440 and, as can be seen in FIG. 4C, establishes a new connection 450 with client 403.

[0136] Upon discovery of an “attack” on a network or specific network connection, a VDR client can monitor the attack, defend against the attack, and/or attack the “hacker”. Almost certainly, a new, secure connection will be established as described above. However, after establishing a new connection, the VDR client can then choose to simply kill the old connection, or, alternatively, leave the old connection up so that the attacker will continue to think the attack has some chance of success. Because each connection is virtualized, as described hereinabove, a successful attack on any single connection will not spill over and compromise the client as a whole, as crashing the VM associated with a single connection would not affect other VMs or the client device itself. It is contemplated that a VDR client will attempt to trace back the attack and attack the original attacker, or alternatively, and preferably, communicate its situation to another VDR client configured to do so.

[0137] Traditionally, wired and wireless networks have tended to be separate and distinct. Recently, however, these types of networks have begun to merge, with the result being that the routing of data around networks has become much more complex. Further, users utilizing such a merged network desire a high level of performance from the network regardless of whether they are connected wirelessly or are connected via a fixed line. As discussed hereinabove, VDR enables a client to monitor routing information and choose an appropriate routing protocol to achieve the desired performance while still remaining compatible with existing network architecture. VDR can be implemented with wired networks, wireless networks (including, for example, Wi-Fi), and networks having both wired and wireless portions.

[0138] FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary local area network 510 (hereinafter, “LAN”) utilizing VDR. The LAN 510 includes three internal nodes 511,513,515, each having VDR software loaded onto a client of the respective node. The internal nodes 511,513,515 can communicate with one another, and further can communicate with edge nodes 512,514,516,518, each also having VDR software loaded onto a client of the respective node. The coverage area 519 of the LAN 510 is represented by a dotted circle. It will be appreciated that the edge nodes 512,514,516,518 are located at the periphery of the coverage area 519. The primary distinction between the internal nodes 511,513,515 and the edge nodes 512,514,516,518 is that the internal nodes 511,513,515 are adapted only to communicate over the LAN 510, while the edge nodes 512,514,516,518 are adapted to communicate both with the internal nodes 511,513,515 and with edge nodes of other LANs through one or more wide area networks (hereinafter, “WANs”). As one of the nodes 511,513,515 moves within the LAN 510 (or, if properly adapted, moves to another LAN or WAN), VDR allows it to shift to ad hoc, interior, and exterior protocols. This ability to shift protocols allows the node to select a protocol which will provide the best performance for a specific application.

[0139] FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary path between node 513 in LAN 510 and node 533 in LAN 530. It will be appreciated that an “interior” protocol is utilized for communications inside each LAN, and an “exterior” protocol is utilized for communications between edge nodes of different LANs. Thus, it will likewise be appreciated that each edge node must utilize multiple protocols, an interior protocol to communicate with interior nodes, and an exterior protocol to communicate with other edge nodes of different LANs. Further, at any time an ad hoc protocol could be set up which is neither a standard interior nor exterior protocol.

[0140] In FIG. 5B, LAN 510 and LAN 530 are both using CSPF as an interior protocol, while LAN 520 and LAN 540 are utilizing EIGRP as an interior protocol. All edge nodes of each of the LANs 510,520,530 are connected to a WAN utilizing BGP to communicate between edge nodes.

[0141] The exemplary path between node 513 and node 533 includes node 515, edge node 518, edge node 522, node 521, node 523, node 525, edge node 528, edge node 534, and node 531. Further, because a particular protocol was not selected and propagated by the transmitting node, this connection utilizes CSPF for internal communications within LAN 510 and LAN 530, EIGRP for internal communications within LAN 520, and BGP for external communications between edge nodes. At one or both end nodes, the VDR software can analyze this information and determine whether the combination of protocols along this path is satisfactory for the communicating application. It will be appreciated that the VDR software can further analyze the information gathered and determine whether the path meets application requirements for throughput, timing, security, and other important criteria.

[0142] In a static environment, this path may represent a connection that meets application requirements and thus no further adjustment would be needed. However, if a network outage were to occur, a network or a node were to move, or another dynamic event was to occur, the path could need to be altered.

[0143] For example, if LAN 520 were to move out of range, node 533 might analyze the path information appended to a packet received after the movement and determine that increased latency resulting from this movement rendered this path unsuitable per application requirements. Node 533 would then attempt to establish a new connection utilizing a different route that would satisfy application requirements. FIG. 5C illustrates such a new connection, which remains between node 513 and node 533, but rather than being routed through LAN 520 as with the path illustrated in FIG. 5B, the path is instead routed through LAN 540.

[0144] It will be appreciated that the ability to influence path selection based on client application needs significantly enhances the performance, flexibility, and security of the network.

[0145] It will further be appreciated from the above description that one or more aspects of the present invention are contemplated for use with end or client devices. A personal or laptop computer are examples of such a device, but a mobile communications device, such as a mobile phone, or a video game console are also examples of such a device. Still further, it will be appreciated that one or more aspects of the present invention are contemplated for use with financial transactions, as the increased security that can be provided by VDR is advantageous to these transactions.

[0146] Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.