Patents by Inventor Alan J. Hurren

Alan J. Hurren has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Virtual private networks and methods for their operation
    Patent number: 6788681
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) over a connectionless network connecting a plurality of Local Area Networks (LANs), such as an Ethernet network, is disclosed. The method and apparatus comprises associated each VPN with a unique identifier and each LAN of the VPN with a interface device connecting the LAN to the connectionless network, which may be for example, a Synchronous Optical Network (SONET). The interface device may service a plurality of LANs. Accordingly, each LAN is associated with a User-Network Interface that forms part of the interface device. Each data packet destined for a second LAN, such Ethernet frames, received by the interface device for a first LAN is encapsulated with, if known, a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the interface device connected to the second LAN, the VPN's unique identifier, and the port on the interface device connected to the second LAN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Alan J. Hurren, Joseph M. Regan, Paul Bottorff, Mark Cobbold