Patents by Inventor Pankaj Thakkar

Pankaj Thakkar 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).

  • Patent number: 12301479
    Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and software to enhance network traffic management. In one implementation, a first host identifies a packet to be transferred from a first virtual machine on the first host to a second virtual machine on a second host. In response to identifying the packet, the first host identifies a source logical port for the first virtual machine, and transferring a communication to the second host, wherein the communication encapsulates the data packet and the source logical port. Once the packet is received by the second host, the second host may use the source logical port to determine a forwarding action for the packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: VMWare LLC
    Inventors: Jayant Jain, Ganesan Chandrashekhar, Anirban Sengupta, Pankaj Thakkar, Alexander Tessmer
  • Patent number: 12177078
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system that includes a set of network controllers for receiving definitions of first and second logical switching elements. The system includes several managed switching elements. The set of network controllers configure the several managed switching elements to implement the defined first and second logical switching elements. The system includes several network hosts that are each (1) communicatively coupled to one of the several managed switching elements and (2) associated with one of the first and second logical switching elements. Network data communicated between network hosts associated with the first logical switching element are isolated from network data communicated between network hosts associated with the second logical switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Nicira, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Casado, Teemu Koponen, Pankaj Thakkar
  • Patent number: 12175276
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for dynamically exchanging runtime state data between datacenters with a gateway using a controller bridge is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method comprises: receiving one or more first runtime state data from one or more logical sharding central control planes (“CCPs”) controlling one or more logical sharding hosts; receiving one or more second runtime state data from a gateway that is controlled by a CCP that also controls one or more physical sharding hosts; aggregating to aggregated runtime state data, the one or more first runtime state data received from the one or more logical sharding CCPs and the one or more second runtime state data received from the gateway; determining updated runtime state data based on the aggregated runtime state data, the one or more first runtime state data, and the one or more second runtime state data; and transmitting the updated runtime state data to at least one of the one or more logical sharding CCPs and the gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: VMware LLC
    Inventors: Da Wan, Jianjun Shen, Feng Pan, Pankaj Thakkar, Donghai Han
  • Patent number: 12141599
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system for implementing a logical network that includes a set of end machines, a first logical middlebox, and a second logical middlebox connected by a set of logical forwarding elements. The system includes a set of nodes. Each of several nodes includes (i) a virtual machine for implementing an end machine of the logical network, (ii) a managed switching element for implementing the set of logical forwarding elements of the logical network, and (iii) a middlebox element for implementing the first logical middlebox of the logical network. The system includes a physical middlebox appliance for implementing the second logical middlebox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Nicira, Inc.
    Inventors: Teemu Koponen, Ronghua Zhang, Pankaj Thakkar, Martin Casado
  • Patent number: 12111787
    Abstract: A non-transitory machine readable medium storing a program that configures managed forwarding elements to establish tunnels between the managed forwarding elements is described. From a particular managed forwarding element, the program receives information regarding coupling of a network element to the first managed forwarding element. Upon receiving the information, the program generates a set of universal flow entries for configuring another managed forwarding element to establish a tunnel to the particular managed forwarding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Nicira, Inc.
    Inventors: Pankaj Thakkar, Teemu Koponen
  • Patent number: 12093719
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for configuring a logical middlebox in a hosting system that includes a set of nodes. The logical middlebox is part of a logical network that includes a set of logical forwarding elements that connect a set of end machines. The method receives a set of configuration data for the logical middlebox. The method uses a stored set of tables describing physical locations of the end machines to identify a set of nodes at which to implement the logical middlebox. The method provides the logical middlebox configuration for distribution to the identified nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Nicira, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronghua Zhang, Teemu Koponen, Pankaj Thakkar, Amar Padmanabhan, Martin Casado
  • Patent number: 12073241
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for a managed forwarding element (MFE). At the MFE, the method receives a first packet from a particular tunnel endpoint. The first packet originates from a particular data compute node associated with multiple tunnel endpoints including the particular tunnel endpoint. Based on the first packet, the method stores an association of the particular tunnel endpoint with the particular data compute node. The method uses the stored association to encapsulate subsequent packets received at the MFE and having the particular data compute node as a destination address with the particular tunnel endpoint as a destination tunnel endpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Nicira, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianjun Shen, Alexander Tessmer, Mukesh Hira, Pankaj Thakkar, Hua Wang
  • Publication number: 20240259265
    Abstract: For a network control system that receives, from a user, logical datapath sets that logically express desired forwarding behaviors that are to be implemented by a set of managed switching elements, a controller for managing several managed switching elements that forward data in a network that includes the managed switching elements is described. The controller includes a set of modules for detecting a change in one or more managed switching elements and for updating logical datapath set based on the detected change. The logical datapath set is for subsequent translation into a set of physical forwarding behaviors of the managed switching elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Martin Casado, Teemu Koponen, W. Andrew Lambeth, Pankaj Thakkar
  • Publication number: 20240179107
    Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and software to enhance network traffic management. In one implementation, a first host identifies a packet to be transferred from a first virtual machine on the first host to a second virtual machine on a second host. In response to identifying the packet, the first host identifies a source logical port for the first virtual machine, and transferring a communication to the second host, wherein the communication encapsulates the data packet and the source logical port. Once the packet is received by the second host, the second host may use the source logical port to determine a forwarding action for the packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2024
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Jayant Jain, Ganesan Chandrashekhar, Anirban Sengupta, Pankaj Thakkar, Alexander Tessmer
  • Publication number: 20240163177
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a network management system for managing a logical network that spans multiple physical sites. The network management system includes a global network manager for receiving global logical network configuration data for the multiple physical sites. The network management system includes, at each of the physical sites, (i) a local network manager for receiving a logical network configuration for the physical site from the global network manager and (ii) a set of central controllers for distributing logical network configuration data to computing devices that implement the logical network at the physical site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2024
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Ganesan Chandrashekhar, Pankaj Thakkar, Pavlush Margarian
  • Patent number: 11979280
    Abstract: For a network control system that receives, from a user, logical datapath sets that logically express desired forwarding behaviors that are to be implemented by a set of managed switching elements, a controller for managing several managed switching elements that forward data in a network that includes the managed switching elements is described. The controller includes a set of modules for detecting a change in one or more managed switching elements and for updating logical datapath set based on the detected change. The logical datapath set is for subsequent translation into a set of physical forwarding behaviors of the managed switching elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Nicira, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Casado, Teemu Koponen, W. Andrew Lambeth, Pankaj Thakkar
  • Patent number: 11929945
    Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and software to enhance network traffic management. In one implementation, a first host identifies a packet to be transferred from a first virtual machine on the first host to a second virtual machine on a second host. In response to identifying the packet, the first host identifies a source logical port for the first virtual machine, and transferring a communication to the second host, wherein the communication encapsulates the data packet and the source logical port. Once the packet is received by the second host, the second host may use the source logical port to determine a forwarding action for the packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Nicira, Inc.
    Inventors: Jayant Jain, Ganesan Chandrashekhar, Anirban Sengupta, Pankaj Thakkar, Alexander Tessmer
  • Publication number: 20240039791
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system that includes a set of network controllers for receiving definitions of first and second logical switching elements. The system includes several managed switching elements. The set of network controllers configure the several managed switching elements to implement the defined first and second logical switching elements. The system includes several network hosts that are each (1) communicatively coupled to one of the several managed switching elements and (2) associated with one of the first and second logical switching elements. Network data communicated between network hosts associated with the first logical switching element are isolated from network data communicated between network hosts associated with the second logical switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Martin Casado, Teemu Koponen, Pankaj Thakkar
  • Patent number: 11882000
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a network management system for managing a logical network that spans multiple physical sites. The network management system includes a global network manager for receiving global logical network configuration data for the multiple physical sites. The network management system includes, at each of the physical sites, (i) a local network manager for receiving a logical network configuration for the physical site from the global network manager and (ii) a set of central controllers for distributing logical network configuration data to computing devices that implement the logical network at the physical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: VMware LLC
    Inventors: Ganesan Chandrashekhar, Pankaj Thakkar, Pavlush Margarian
  • Publication number: 20230421410
    Abstract: A network system that includes a first set of network hosts in a first domain and a second set of network hosts in a second domain. Within each of the domains, the system includes several edge switching elements (SEs) that each couple to the network hosts and forward network data to and from the set of network hosts. Within the first domain, the system includes (i) an interior SE that couples to a particular edge SE in order to receive network data for forwarding from the edge SE when the edge SE does not recognize a destination location of the network data and (ii) an interconnection SE that couples to the interior SE, the edge SE, and the second domain through an external network. When the edge SE receives network data with a destination address in the second domain, it forwards the network data directly to the interconnection SE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Nicira, Inc.
    Inventors: Teemu Koponen, Martin Casado, Pankaj Thakkar, Ronghua Zhang, Daniel J. Wendlandt
  • Publication number: 20230412425
    Abstract: A network controller for managing several managed switching elements that forward data in a network that includes the managed switching elements. The network controller is further for creating a logical switching element to be implemented in a set of managed switching elements. The network controller includes a set of modules for receiving input data specifying a logical switching element and for creating, based on the received input data, a set of logical switch constructs for the logical switching element by performing a set of database join operations. At least one of the logical switch constructs is for facilitating non-forwarding behavior of the logical switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Teemu Koponen, Pankaj Thakkar, Bryan J. Fulton
  • Publication number: 20230359479
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system for implementing a logical network that includes a set of end machines, a first logical middlebox, and a second logical middlebox connected by a set of logical forwarding elements. The system includes a set of nodes. Each of several nodes includes (i) a virtual machine for implementing an end machine of the logical network, (ii) a managed switching element for implementing the set of logical forwarding elements of the logical network, and (iii) a middlebox element for implementing the first logical middlebox of the logical network. The system includes a physical middlebox appliance for implementing the second logical middlebox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Teemu Koponen, Ronghua Zhang, Pankaj Thakkar, Martin Casado
  • Publication number: 20230353533
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for a network controller that manages several logical networks. The method receives a specification of a logical network that includes at least one logical forwarding element attached to a logical service (e.g., DHCP). The method selects at least one host machine to host the specified logical service from several host machines designated for hosting logical services. The method generates logical service configuration information for distribution to the selected host machine. In some embodiments, the method selects a master host machine and a backup host machine for hosting logical service. In some embodiments, a particular one of the designated host machines hosts at least two DHCP services for two different logical networks as separate processes operating on the particular host machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Nicira, Inc.
    Inventors: Anupam Chanda, Pankaj Thakkar, Igor Ganichev, Ronghua Zhang, Ansis Atteka
  • Publication number: 20230353493
    Abstract: For a network controller for managing hosts in a network, a method for configuring a host to resolve network addresses is described. The method configures an address resolution module in a host to resolve a network address. The method configures a managed forwarding element in the host to (1) avoid sending a request to resolve the network address to another host by using the address resolution module to resolve the network address and (2) forward packets using the resolved network address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Ronghua Zhang, Teemu Koponen, Pankaj Thakkar, Jesse E. Gross, IV
  • Patent number: 11804987
    Abstract: A network system that includes a first set of network hosts in a first domain and a second set of network hosts in a second domain. Within each of the domains, the system includes several edge switching elements (SEs) that each couple to the network hosts and forward network data to and from the set of network hosts. Within the first domain, the system includes (i) an interior SE that couples to a particular edge SE in order to receive network data for forwarding from the edge SE when the edge SE does not recognize a destination location of the network data and (ii) an interconnection SE that couples to the interior SE, the edge SE, and the second domain through an external network. When the edge SE receives network data with a destination address in the second domain, it forwards the network data directly to the interconnection SE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: NICIRA, INC.
    Inventors: Teemu Koponen, Martin Casado, Pankaj Thakkar, Ronghua Zhang, Daniel J. Wendlandt