Patent ID: 7894383
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A path switching method for switching a plurality of multi-interface communication devices having a plurality of communication interfaces, on one local wireless network, comprising: a step in which a first multi-interface communication device relays traffic between an external terminal in an external network and a local terminal in the local wireless network; a step in which the first multi-interface communication device sends out a connection instruction to a second multi-interface communication device; a step in which the second multi-interface communication device, when receiving the connection instruction, starts a process for connecting to the external network; a step in which the second multi-interface communication device, when completing the connection establishment to the external network, sends out a connection completion notice for notifying of completion of the connection, to the first multi-interface communication device, and sends out a self information notice for notifying of self network information, to the local terminal; a step in which the first multi-interface communication device, when receiving the connection completion notice, notifies the local terminal of a path switching instruction; and a step in which the local terminal switches the path to the external terminal from the first multi-interface communication device to the second multi-interface communication device in response to receiving the self information notice and the path switching instruction, wherein after the local terminal switches, the second multi-interface communication device relays the traffic between the external terminal and the local terminal, and the first multi-interface communication device does not relay the traffic between the external terminal and the local terminal, wherein the connection process by the second multi-interface communication device is started when the possibility of connecting with the external network exists, and the second multi-interface communication device has a step of sending out a connection instruction reply for notifying the first multi-interface communication device that connection with an external network has been started, wherein the first multi-interface communication device sends out communication performance requirements based on a property of a communication flow being relayed, included in the connection instruction, and the second multi-interface communication device, if performance of communication with the external network as a connection target further satisfies the communication performance requirements, starts the connection process, wherein the second multi-interface communication device does not start the process for connecting with the external network, if the possibility of connecting with the external network does not exist, or if the communication performance requirements are not satisfied although the possibility of connecting with the external network exists, and wherein the second multi-interface communication device further has a step of sending out a connection instruction reply for notifying that connection with the external network has not been executed.