Patent ID: 6393004
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A method for exchanging communication media during a communication between a source host and a destination host in a communication system, the method comprising the steps of:(a) establishing a second communication path using a new communication medium to which the communication is to be exchanged between the source host and the destination host while carrying out the communication through a first communication path using an original communication medium; (b) transmitting from the source host to the destination host a first check packet through the first communication path, and stopping transmission of user data packets from the source host upon transmitting the first check packet; (c) transmitting from the destination host to the source host the first check packet through the second communication path upon receiving the first check packet through the first communication path while transmitting a second check packet through the first communication path, and stopping transmission of user data packets from the destination host upon transmitting the second check packet; (d) transmitting from the source host to the destination host the second check packet through the second communication path upon receiving the second check packet through the first communication path; (e) starting transmission of user data packets from the source host to the destination host through the second communication path upon receiving the first check packet through the second communication path; (f) starting transmission of user data packets from the destination host to the source host through the second communication path upon receiving the second check packet through the second communication path; and (g) disconnecting the first communication path between the source host and the destination host when the communication through the second communication path is started.