Patent ID: 7865616
Filing Date: 2011-01-04
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a virtual network comprising a plurality of nodes, wherein (a) each node has the capability to provide a service to another node; (b) each node maintains a link list for storing entries each representing a link to another node, and containing the address of the other node and a label identifying a service that that other node may provide; (c) each node has a message store for storing messages received from other nodes, said messages serving to propose a link and containing the identity of the node originating the message, a label identifying a service that that other node may provide and a label identifying a service that that other node requires; (d) each node in response to a need for a service that it is not itself able to provide and in the event that such a message is found initiates the creation of a corresponding entry in the link list;