Satellite routing protocol with dynamic IP addressing

Abstract

A method for establishing routing for communications using a satellite in a Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) Wide Area Network (WAN) is disclosed. In one step, Routing Information Messages (RIMs) are received from a plurality of subscriber terminal (ST) nodes at a Network Control Station (NCS). A network map of Internet protocol (IP) network prefixes reachable via the DAMA WAN is constructed using the RIMs. A bandwidth constricted control channel is allocated using the satellite. At least one control channel message is sent over the bandwidth constricted control channel to at least one ST node coupled to the WAN.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A method for establishing routing for communications using a satellite in a Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) Wide Area Network (WAN), the method comprising steps of: 
 receiving Routing Information Messages (RIMs) from a plurality of subscriber terminal (ST) nodes at a Network Control Station (NCS);    constructing a network map of Internet protocol (IP) network prefixes reachable via the DAMA WAN, wherein the network map is constructed using the RIMs;    allocating a bandwidth constricted control channel using the satellite; and    sending at least one control channel message over the bandwidth constricted control channel to at least one ST node coupled to the WAN.    
   
   
       19 . The method for establishing routing for communications using the satellite in the DAMA WAN as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the control channel message includes information related to the network map.  
   
   
       20 . The method for establishing routing for communications using the satellite in the DAMA WAN as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the NCS communicates with the plurality of ST nodes in a hub-and-spoke manner.  
   
   
       21 . The method for establishing routing for communications using the satellite in the DAMA WAN as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising a step of periodically transmitting routing information whether or not the routing information has changed for the ST node.  
   
   
       22 . The method for establishing routing for communications using the satellite in the DAMA WAN as recited in  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the plurality of ST nodes performs a step of providing routing information beyond the one's directly-connected network.  
   
   
       23 . The method for establishing routing for communications using the satellite in the DAMA WAN as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the constructing step comprises a step of constructing the network map at the NCS.  
   
   
       24 . The method for establishing routing for communications using the satellite in the DAMA WAN as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising steps of polling at least one of the plurality of ST nodes to solicit a RIM.  
   
   
       25 . The method for establishing routing for communications using the satellite in the DAMA WAN as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising steps of: 
 determining if the network map of the at least one ST node is out of date; and    sending at least some of the network map to the at least one ST node when the network map is out of date.    
   
   
       26 . The method for establishing routing for communications using the satellite in the DAMA WAN as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the control channel message includes changes to the network map.  
   
   
       27 . A method for establishing routing for communications using a satellite in a Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) network, the method comprising steps of: 
 receiving a first Routing Information Message (RIM) from a first subscriber terminal (ST) node at a Network Control Station (NCS);    receiving a second RIM from a second ST node at the NCS;    constructing a network map of Internet protocol (IP) network prefixes reachable via the DAMA network, wherein the network map is constructed using the first and second RIMs;    allocating a bandwidth constricted control channel using the satellite; and    sending at least one control channel message over the bandwidth constricted control channel to a third ST node coupled to the DAMA network, wherein the at least one control channel message includes information related to the network map.    
   
   
       28 . The method for establishing routing for communications using the satellite in the DAMA network as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising steps of: 
 detecting when the second ST node is no longer available to the DAMA network; and    removing the second ST node from the network map.    
   
   
       29 . The method for establishing routing for communications using the satellite in the DAMA network as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising steps of: 
 polling the third ST node;    determining the third ST node has an old network map; and    sending the third ST node the network map based upon the determining step.    
   
   
       30 . The method for establishing routing for communications using the satellite in the DAMA network as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the NCS communicates with the first, second and third ST nodes in a hub-and-spoke manner.  
   
   
       31 . The method for establishing routing for communications using the satellite in the DAMA network as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising a step of polling the first and second ST nodes, wherein the first and second RIMs are received in response to the polling step.  
   
   
       32 . The method for establishing routing for communications using the satellite in the DAMA network as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the constructing step comprises a step of constructing the network map at the NCS.  
   
   
       33 . A Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) network that establishes a network map used for satellite communication, the DAMA network comprising: 
 a plurality of subscriber terminal (ST) nodes, wherein the ST nodes produce Routing Information Messages (RIMs);    a Network Control Station (NCS) that receives the RIMs for use in constructing the network map of Internet protocol (IP) network prefixes reachable via the DAMA network; and    a bandwidth constricted control channel allocated using the satellite, wherein at least one control channel message is sent over the bandwidth constricted control channel to at least one ST node coupled to the network.    
   
   
       34 . The DAMA network that establishes the network map for satellite communication as recited in  claim 32 , wherein packets from a public terrestrial network are routed to traverse the DAMA network.  
   
   
       35 . The DAMA network that establishes the network map for satellite communication as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the at least one ST node is a stub network.  
   
   
       36 . The DAMA network that establishes the network map for satellite communication as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the control channel message includes the network map.  
   
   
       37 . The DAMA network that establishes the network map for satellite communication as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the network map is sent to the at least one ST node in a number of messages.  
   
   
       38 . The DAMA network that establishes the network map for satellite communication as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the NCS Communicates with the plurality ST nodes in a hub-and-spoke manner.