Patent ID: 8806026
Filing Date: 2014-08-12
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of forming and maintaining a network of devices, some but not all of which devices are designated as well known root nodes, the devices being arranged to permit computer programs to be dynamically downloaded onto and executed on the devices and the devices being connected to one or more general computer networks, the method comprising: transmitting to each device via a network connection an ordered list of the addresses of the well known root nodes; and at each device, consecutively attempting to contact each of the well known root nodes, for the purpose of becoming registered or re-registered in the network, until (a) one of the well known root nodes is contacted, in which case the device attempts to register with the contacted well known root node, unless (b) prior to a well known root node having been successfully contacted, the device determines that the next well known root node which the device is to try to attempt to contact is itself, in which case the device becomes a master root node which will accept registration requests from other well known root nodes and register them as peers, whereby each well known root node is configured to register and/or re-register itself as a peer with no more than a single master root node at any one time.