Patent ID: 6885633
Filing Date: 2005-04-26
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A network node for use in a network node group for connecting a first IP network segment to a second IP segment, comprising: a first physical interface for connection to said first IP network segment; a second physical interface for connection to said first IP network segment; third physical interface for connection to said second IP network segment; and a fourth physical interface for connection to said second IP network segment; a first operating state, in which said network node communicates using said first and third physical interfaces and ignores any communication received using said second and fourth physical interface, and a second operating state, in which said network node communicates using said first, second, third and fourth physical interfaces, a monitoring connection to another network node; diagnostics unit monitoring the internal operation of said other network node over said monitoring connection and producing an indication about the operational state of said another network node; a network being arranged to change its operating state from said first operating state to said second operating state as a response to an indication about the operational state of said another network node corresponding to a fault in the operation of said another network node.