Patent ID: 6708219
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for dual network address utilization, comprising the steps of:receiving an data packet in a dual protocol stack on a first network device on a local first network for a second network device on a remote second network, wherein the local first network uses X-bit network addresses, the remote second network uses X-bit network addresses and the local first network is connected to the remote second network by a third network that uses Y-bit network addresses; determining from the dual protocol stack whether the data packet will use an X-bit network address, and if so, selecting a first portion of the dual protocol stack including networking protocols using X-bit network addresses, adding a header with an X-bit network addresses to the data packet, transmitting the data packet to a local virtual tunnel gateway on the local first network using the X-bit network addresses, wherein the local virtual tunnel gateway adds a remote virtual tunnel header with Y-bit network addresses and transmits the data packet to the second network device on the remote second network over a remote virtual tunnel via the third network that uses Y-bit network addresses; determining from the dual protocol stack whether the data packet will use an X-bit network addresses, and if not, selecting a second portion of the dual protocol stack including networking protocols using Y-bit network addresses, adding a header with a Y-bit addresses to the data packet, adding a local virtual tunnel header with X-bit network addresses to the data packet, transmitting the data packet to the virtual tunnel gateway over a local virtual tunnel using the X-bit network addresses in the virtual tunnel header, removing the X-bit tunnel header on the local virtual tunnel gateway, and transmitting the data packet from the local virtual tunnel gateway on the local first network to the second network device on the remote second network over the third network using the Y-bit network addresses in the data packet.