Hybrid autonomous network and router for communication between heterogeneous subnets

Abstract

A single routable network and an integrated router having a plurality of network interfaces for such network having a plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks having different network parameters, each of the plurality of network interfaces configured to be connected to a different one of the plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks. The integration router is configured to automatically connect with each of the plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks. The integration router providing persistent network connectivity between user nodes across the plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A single routable network comprising:
 a plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks having different network parameters; and   an integration router containing a plurality of network interfaces, each of said plurality of network interfaces configured to be connected to a different one of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks;   said integration router being configured to automatically connect with each of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks;   said integration router providing persistent network connectivity between user nodes across said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks.   
     
     
         2 . The network of  claim 1  wherein said integration router is configured to automatically connect with each of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks without individual manual configuration of parameters associated with each of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks. 
     
     
         3 . The network of  claim 2  wherein said integration router is configured to provide dynamic route selection between a first node on one of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks and a second node on another of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks. 
     
     
         4 . The network of  claim 3  wherein said integration router provides dynamic route selection between said first node on said one of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks and said second node on said another of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks based on a quality of service. 
     
     
         5 . The network of  claim 4  wherein said integration router dynamically configures a route selection between said first node on said one of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks and said second node on said another of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks based on a proactive failover based on degradation of service quality before route communication failure. 
     
     
         6 . The network of  claim 3  wherein said integration router provides dynamic route selection between said first node on said one of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks and said second node on said another of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks based on a balancing loads over different routes between said first node on said one of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks and said second node on said another of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks. 
     
     
         7 . The network of  claim 3  wherein said integration router further comprises a BGP-MX module configured to dynamically discover BGP peers across said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks. 
     
     
         8 . The network of  claim 7  wherein said BGP-MX module is further configured to automatically and dynamically establish and adjust a route between said first node on said one of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks and said second node on said another of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks. 
     
     
         9 . The network of  claim 1  wherein said integration router is configured to be integrated with a conventional software router. 
     
     
         10 . The network of  claim 9  wherein said integration router is configured to be integrated within said conventional software router. 
     
     
         11 . The network of  claim 9  wherein said integration router is configured as an add-on module to a conventional software router. 
     
     
         12 . The network of  claim 9  wherein said integration router is configured to be programmed within a programmable processing appliance. 
     
     
         13 . The network of  claim 1  wherein said integration router comprises:
 an autonomous router configuration module configured to be operatively coupled to a conventional router; 
 a dynamic address map providing topology and address tracking; and 
 a device configuration interface configured to be coupled to each of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks. 
 
     
     
         14 . The network as in  claim 13  wherein each of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks are separate autonomous systems. 
     
     
         15 . A single routable network comprising:
 a plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks having different network parameters; and   a plurality of integration routers containing a plurality of network interfaces, each of said plurality of network interfaces configured to be connected to a different one of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks;   said integration router being configured to automatically connect with each of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks;   said integration router providing persistent network connectivity between user nodes across said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks;   wherein a first type of said plurality of integration routers is configured as an interior router to be installed a backbone nodes providing routing to and from a first node on one of said plurality of network interfaces and a second node on another of said plurality of network interfaces;   wherein a second type of integration router is configured as an edge router providing routing to and from a node located on one of said plurality of network interfaces; and   wherein a third type of integration router is configured as a gateway router to be installed a backbone nodes providing routing to and from a first node on one of said plurality of network interfaces and a second node on another of said plurality of network interfaces and to provide links to a global information grid.   
     
     
         16 . An integration router configured for use on a single routable network having a plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks having different network parameters;
 said integration router containing a plurality of network interfaces, each of said plurality of network interfaces configured to be connected to a different one of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks;   said integration router being configured to automatically connect with each of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks; and   said integration router providing persistent network connectivity between user nodes across said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks.   
     
     
         17 . The integration router of  claim 16  wherein said integration router is configured to automatically connect with each of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks without individual manual configuration of parameters associated with each of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks. 
     
     
         18 . The integration router of  claim 17  wherein said integration router is configured to provide dynamic route selection between a first node on one of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks and a second node on another of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks. 
     
     
         19 . The integration router of  claim 16  wherein said integration router is further configured to automatically and dynamically establish and adjust a route between said first node on said one of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks and said second node on said another—of said plurality of heterogeneous subnetworks.