Patent ID: 7380021
Filing Date: 2008-05-27
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for selecting one or more real IP6 addresses from a pool of real IP6 addresses in a system, each of said real IP6 addresses being associated with one or more physical interfaces, said method comprising the steps of: providing by a human or an application program into the system a symbolic IP6 address specifying (a) a name of a physical interface or an identifier of said physical interface, (b) an address type and (c) an address scope; and if the physical interface name is specified in said symbolic IP6 address, said system reading a control block or data file maintained by said system for the named physical interface, said control block or data file containing a list of one or more real IP6 addresses for said named physical interface, and if the physical interface identifier is specified in said symbolic address, said system comparing said physical interface identifier to one or more real IP6 addresses in said pool to determine which of said real IP6 addresses match(es) said physical interface identifier; and said system comparing said address type specified in said symbolic address to one or more real IP6 addresses in said pool to determine which of said real IP6 addresses in said pool matches said address type; said system comparing said address scope specified in said symbolic address to one or more real IP6 addresses in said pool to determine which of said real IP6 addresses in said pool matches said address scope; and said system designating for said named or identified physical interface one or more real IP6 addresses which match (a) said one or more real IP6 addresses in said list for said named physical interface if said physical interface name is specified in said symbolic address, or said one or more real IP6 addresses which match said interface identifier if said physical interface identifier is specified in said symbolic address, (b) said real IP6 address(es) in said pool which match said address type, and (c) said real IP6 address(es) in said pool which match said address scope, such that a subsequent message addressed to said one or more real IP6 addresses which match (a), (b) and (c) will be directed to said named or identified physical interface.