System And Method For Virtual Interfaces And Advanced Smart Routing In A Global Virtual Network

What is this patent about?

’687 is related to the field of network optimization, specifically addressing the problem of inefficient routing and high latency in wide area networks (WANs) and over-the-top (OTT) internet connections. Traditional WAN optimization techniques often rely on point-to-point connections and struggle with unstable internet paths. VPNs offer encryption but lack control over traffic flow. The patent aims to provide a more robust and efficient solution for secure network optimization.

The underlying idea behind ’687 is to create a global virtual network (GVN) that intelligently routes traffic through a mesh of interconnected devices, leveraging multiple tunnels and virtual interfaces. Instead of relying on a single, potentially unreliable path, the system dynamically selects the best route based on real-time network conditions and historical performance data. This involves establishing multiple tunnels to different access points and using virtual interfaces to manage and optimize traffic flow across these tunnels.

The claims of ’687 focus on a system, method, and distributed network that utilizes virtual interfaces (VIFs) and multiple tunnels to optimize network traffic routing. Specifically, the independent claims cover determining routes to different network nodes in different geographic regions, building multiple tunnels to those nodes, establishing virtual interfaces associated with each region, connecting these VIFs sequentially to form a path, and then routing network traffic to the appropriate node based on the destination's geographic location.

In practice, the invention involves an endpoint device (EPD) that connects to access point servers (SRV_APs) through multiple tunnels. Each SRV_AP is located in a different geographic region. The EPD uses virtual interfaces to manage these tunnels and intelligently route traffic based on the destination IP address. The system continuously monitors network conditions and switches traffic between tunnels to maintain optimal performance. This dynamic routing ensures that traffic always takes the best available path, minimizing latency and packet loss.

The key differentiation from prior approaches lies in the use of virtual interfaces to abstract the complexity of managing multiple tunnels. Instead of applying routing policies to each individual tunnel, the policies are applied to the VIF, simplifying configuration and enabling faster switching between tunnels. Furthermore, the system's ability to dynamically adapt to changing network conditions and select the best route based on real-time data provides a more robust and efficient solution than traditional point-to-point WAN optimization techniques. The use of multiple tunnels in parallel, with the ability to duplicate streams during periods of high packet loss ( stormy weather mode ), further enhances reliability.