Patent ID: 6160808
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for use in communicating multi-link PPP packets from a multi-link originator through a plurality of communications devices onto multiple outgoing links, each of the devices having one incoming link and a plurality of the outgoing links, the incoming links for all of said devices defining a bundle of first links, wherein the originator is connected to each different one of the devices through a different corresponding link in said first links, with all of the outgoing links from all of the devices forming a bundle of second links, wherein the method comprises the steps of:in the originator:transmitting to each different one of the devices over a different corresponding one of the first links and during a configuration phase of a point-to-point (PPP) protocol for said corresponding one first link, a first packet containing an endpoint value which specifies an address that identifies the originator to said one device; andin said each different one device:receiving the first packet transmitted by the originator;assigning the endpoint value in the first packet to be the endpoint value of said one device; andtransmitting, over a corresponding one of the second links, connected at one end thereof to said one device, to a PPP peer situated at an opposite end of said one of the second links, and during a configuration phase of a PPP protocol for said one of the second links, a second packet containing the endpoint value of said one device wherein said one of said second links connects said one device and said PPP peer, whereby the originator and all of the communication devices have a common endpoint value.