Establishing communication between entities in a shared network

摘要

A method, system, and/or computer program product establishes a communication session between two entities on a shared network. A request to locate a desired entity on a shared network, which hosts one or more entities that are unknown to a requesting entity, is received from the requesting entity. A desired environment with which the desired entity is associated is selected by the requesting entity. An inquiry packet is broadcast to all entities on the shared network. The inquiry packet, which does not specify a data link layer by which any particular entity communicates with the shared network, includes a request for an identity of any entity on the shared network that is assigned to the desired environment. A response to the inquiry packet provides an identity and data link layer address of the desired entity, thus enabling the establishment of a communication session between the requesting and desired entities.

主权项

1. A method of establishing a communication session between two entities on a shared network, the method comprising:
receiving, by one or more processors, a request to locate a desired entity on a shared network, wherein the request is received from a requesting entity that has access to the shared network, and wherein the shared network hosts one or more entities that are unknown to the requesting entity; receiving, by one or more processors, an identification of a desired environment, wherein the desired environment is an environment with which the desired entity is associated, and wherein the desired environment is selected and specified by the requesting entity; broadcasting, by one or more processors, an inquiry packet to all entities on the shared network, wherein the inquiry packet does not specify a data link layer by which any particular entity communicates with the shared network, and wherein the inquiry packet comprises a request for an identity of any entity on the shared network that is assigned to the desired environment; receiving, by one or more processors, a response to the inquiry packet, wherein the response is a responsive packet that provides an identity and data link layer address of the desired entity; and establishing, by one or more processors, a communication session between the requesting entity and the desired entity, wherein the communication session utilizes a network layer address for the desired entity, and wherein the network layer address is reliant upon the data link layer address of the desired entity.