Patent ID: 6650641
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method of specifying network address translations for a set of packets including:sending a first set of instructions to a forwarding agent specifying criteria for designated packets that are designated to undergo network address translation; receiving from the forwarding agent a matching packet that matches the specified criteria; determining a network address translation scheme for the matching packet; and sending a second set of instructions specifying the network address translation scheme for packets associated with the matching packet; wherein the matching packet is an initial packet for a new flow and the packets associated with the matching packet are packets associated with the new flow; and wherein sending a first set of instructions to a forwarding agent specifying criteria for designated packets that are designated to undergo network address translation includes specifying to the forwarding agent that in order to accept the first set of instructions, the forwarding agent can support network address translation.