Patent ID: 6209035
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A data transfer system comprising:a plurality of communication nodes having a plurality of communication ports; andcommunication means for establishing a dynamically selected communication link from a first of said plurality of communication nodes to a remote one of said plurality of communication nodes through the plurality of communication ports in response to respective requests by said plurality of communication nodes to transfer data through the established communication link,each of said plurality of communication nodes comprising a first communication link establishment request means for requesting said communication means to establish a first communication link through a first communication port which the remote communication counterpart node uses to accept establishment of a communication link;a second communication link accepting means for accepting establishment of a second communication link through a second communication port by said communication means in response to the request from said remote node, andlink determination means for determining which of said first or said second communication link is first established;data transfer means for transferring data to and from said remote communication node through said first or said second communication link based on a determination of which link is established earlier,each of said communication nodes repeating establishment of said first communication link to said remote node, while waiting establishment of said second communication link from said remote communication node and transferring data through either one of said first and said second communication link.