A method for routing http and ftp services across heterogeneous networks

摘要

The invention provides a method and system for routing data across heterogeneous networks. One embodiment comprises a specialized in-band network, an out-of-band network, and a switching platform coupled between them. In one embodiment, the out-of-band network is coupled to an external network such as the Internet via a default gateway. The in-band network is privately accessible within the heterogeneous network and not publicly accessible from the Internet. The switching platform services both in-band and out-of-band networks, which may have incompatible protocols, by recognizing different format requests, converting them if necessary, and transmitting them to appropriate destinations accordingly. In this embodiment, the switching platform performs separate functions from those of the default gateway, proxy servers, firewall, and the likes.