Virtual inline configuration for a network device

摘要

A performance enhancing proxy network device is configured to operate in a virtual inline mode, in which selected network traffic is redirected to and through the network device by a router using simple routing policies. In this way, the network device can be coupled to the router in series but can still operate as if it were physically connected inline.

主权项

1. A method for processing a packet, destined to a computing device, via a network device coupled in parallel to a router, the method comprising:
receiving, by a network device having a first internet protocol (IP) address and coupled to a plurality of routers, a packet from a first router of the plurality of routers, the packet having a second destination IP address of an intended destination computing device; identifying, by the network device, the first router of the plurality of routers as the router that diverted the packet to the network device; preserving, by the network device, the identification of the first router of the plurality of routers as the router that diverted the packet to the network device; processing, by the network device, the packet while preserving the second destination IP address of the packet to specify the intended destination computing device; and transmitting, by the network device, the processed packet to the first router for transmission to the intended destination computing device, based on the preserved identification of the first router of the plurality of routers as the router that diverted the packet to the network device, the processed packet transmitted with the second destination internet protocol (IP) address of the intended destination computing device.