Patent ID: 6457054
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for communications between two network devices, said method comprising the steps of:transmitting a first request packet from a first network device to a second network device, the first request packet consisting of a request to establish a new connection and a request for data, the request to establish a new connection including a new connection identifier; selectively accepting the new connection or discarding the request based upon a comparison of the new connection identifier to a current connection identifier maintained by the second network device; transmitting a first response packet from the second network device to the first network device, the first response packet comprising a confirmation of the request to establish a new connection and a reply to the request for data; and maintaining a connection between the first and second network devices after receipt of the first response packet and using the maintained connection for transmission of one or more additional request packets associated with the first request packet and one or more corresponding response packets, wherein a last one of the additional request packets includes an instruction to drop the maintained connection, said instruction specifying the new connection identifier, and a corresponding last one of the additional response packets includes a confirmation of said instruction.