Patent ID: 8160077
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: G06F,G06Q,H04L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A peer node, comprising: a network interface operable to couple to a network, wherein the network supports a plurality of network transport protocols; and a memory storing program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by one or more processors within the peer node to cause the peer node provide a pipe service to: receive a query message from a given other peer node on the network in accordance with a pipe binding protocol, wherein the query message is formatted in accordance with a pipe binding protocol that defines messages for discovering endpoints bound to pipes, wherein the query message comprises a request for information on an endpoint bound to a pipe, wherein a message body of the query message identifies the pipe, wherein the pipe has a specified network transport protocol, wherein the network transport protocol is one of the plurality of network transport protocols, and wherein the pipe represents a virtual communications channel for communication between the given other peer node and one or more peer nodes on the network other than the given other peer node; and in response to said receiving the query message from the given other peer node: obtain the information specifying the endpoint of one of the one or more peer nodes on the network, wherein the endpoint of the one of the one or more peer nodes corresponds to and uniquely identifies a network interface of the one of the one or more peer nodes, and wherein the network interface of the one of the one or more peer nodes implements the network transport protocol of the pipe specified by the message of the query message; and send a response message to the given other peer node in accordance with the pipe binding protocol, wherein the response message is formatted in accordance with the pipe binding protocol, and wherein a message body of the response message specifies the endpoint of the one of the one or more peer nodes for binding to the pipe.