Patent ID: 8086732
Filing Date: 2011-12-27
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. In a server device, a method for rate limiting packets transmitted from a client device, comprising: receiving Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) request packets from the client device within a first time interval, the DHCP request packets including requests to renew a lease of an Internet Protocol (IP) address provided by the server device; detecting a packet reception rate based upon (i) a number of DHCP request packets received from the client device within the first time interval and (ii) a duration of the first time interval; and comparing the packet reception rate with a first packet reception threshold, when the packet reception rate is less than the first packet reception threshold, processing DHCP request packets from the client device, and when the packet reception rate reaches the first packet reception threshold, continuing to receive DHCP request packets from the client and discontinuing processing of each of the DHCP request packets in response to continuing to receive the DHCP request packets; wherein comparing the packet reception rate with a first packet reception threshold comprises comparing the packet reception rate with a first packet reception threshold, the first packet reception threshold configured as a rate between one packet per second and one-thousand packets per second; and further comprising: transmitting a reset command to the client device when the packet reception rate reaches the first packet reception threshold; detecting a reply from the client device in response to the reset command; when the reply includes a reset indicating activity from the client device, the reset indicating activity indicating that the client device has reset itself, processing subsequent DHCP request packets received from the client device; and when the reply lacks the reset indicating activity, receiving DHCP request packets from the client device within a second time interval, detecting the packet reception rate based upon (i) the number of DHCP request packets received from the client device within the second time interval and (ii) the duration of the second time interval, and comparing the packet reception rate with a second packet reception threshold.