Microsoft patents method for linking private network addresses to distributed servers
Microsoft describes a system that connects clients on a private virtual network to a large group of distributed servers. It uses a 'resource map' to translate simple private addresses into the specific locations of individual server nodes, allowing a gateway to direct traffic correctly.
In the filing’s own words
A distributed resource may be mapped into a virtual network, where the resource is distributed across a large number of nodes that are uniquely addressable within the distributed resource service's address space. The resource can be represented using a relatively small number of private VIP addresses within the virtual network, while still enabling access to all of the nodes that are uniquely addressable within the address space of the distributed resource service. A resource map may be created that relates the distributed resource service's address space to the virtual network's address space. The resource map may be used by a gateway that facilitates access to a distributed resource by clients. The resource map may also be used to translate packets that are sent from clients within a virtual network into the distributed resource service's address space.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method, comprising: receiving, at a gateway implemented on a distributed resource service, a redirect request message that comprises a request for information to redirect a client to access a distributed resource on the distributed resource service, wherein the distributed resource is distributed across a plurality of nodes; detecting that the redirect request message is from the client that belongs to a virtual network, the client having mapped the distributed resource to a private virtual Internet protocol (VIP) address; accessing a resource map to determine address information that indicates how to access the distributed resource associated with the VIP address in a virtual network address space, wherein the resource map comprises, for each node of the plurality of nodes, first information that uniquely identifies the node within the virtual network address space and second information that uniquely identifies the node within a distributed resource service address space; and sending the address information to the client in response to the redirect request message.
Facts
- Company
- Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
- Official title
- Efficiently mapping a distributed resource to a virtual network
- Patent number
- US12764088B2
- Application number
- 18417838
- Filed
- Jan 19, 2024
- Granted
- Oct 13, 2026
- Inventors
- 4
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04L 61/10 Electricity & electronicsG06F 9/45545 Physics & computingH04L 12/4641 Electricity & electronicsH04L 61/5007 Electricity & electronicsG06F 2009/4557 Physics & computingG06F 2009/45595 Physics & computingMore from Microsoft in Networks & wireless
- Microsoft patents camera-based data transfer between server displays Sep 22, 2026
- Microsoft patents system that uses AI to plan network capacity Oct 13, 2026
- Microsoft patents method to spot cloud outages by checking individual user traffic Sep 10, 2026
- Microsoft patents hand gestures to control devices without menus Sep 24, 2026
- Microsoft patents image-based method to detect phone tethering Oct 1, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.