Patent ID: 9582652
Date: 2017-02-28
CPC Classifications: G06F,H04L

Claim:
1. A computer-implemented method suitable for use on one or more computing devices having a processor and a memory to perform a method for allowing a first overlay governed by a first authority domain to negotiate with a second overlay governed by a second authority domain in order to avoid addressing ambiguity, the method comprising: providing the first overlay that includes members assigned virtual IP addresses from a first address range, wherein a first federation mechanism is associated with the first authority domain and is provisioned to negotiate on behalf of the first overlay; providing the second overlay that includes members assigned virtual IP addresses from a second address range, wherein a second federation mechanism is associated with the second authority domain and is provisioned to negotiate on behalf of the second overlay; invoking a negotiation between the first federation mechanism and the second federation mechanism, wherein the negotiation includes an address-resolution process that establishes a communication link; negotiating to gain authority over the communication link; delegating authority over the communication link from the second federation mechanism to the first federation mechanism, wherein delegating authority over the communication link comprises the second federation mechanism delegating authority that governs policy provision and policy enforcement over the communication link to a service manager of the first federation mechanism; and when the first overlay and the second overlay are provisioned to interoperate, the service manager governs both the first federation mechanism of the first overlay and the second federation mechanism of the second overlay.