Patent ID: 8498293
Filing Date: 2013-07-30
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method performed by a border component interposed between a network of switches and a plurality of local hosts, the method comprising: receiving, by the border component from a first local host of the plurality of local hosts, a first packet destined for a first destination host, wherein the first local host has a first layer 2 (L2) address and a first layer 3 (L3) address associated therewith, and wherein the first packet includes the first L2 address as a source L2 address for the first packet, and includes the first L3 address as a source L3 address for the first packet; shielding, by the border component, the first L2 address from the network of switches by replacing the source L2 address for the first packet with a substitute L2 address associated with a communication channel of the border component; sending, by the border component, the first packet to the network of switches; receiving, by the border component from a second local host of the plurality of hosts, a second packet destined for a second destination host, wherein the second local host has a second L2 address and a second L3 address associated therewith, and wherein the second packet includes the second L2 address as a source L2 address for the second packet, and includes the second L3 address as a source L3 address for the second packet; shielding, by the border component, the second L2 address from the network of switches by replacing the source L2 address for the second packet with the substitute L2 address; and sending, by the border component, the second updated packet to the network of switches.