Patent ID: 7389332
Filing Date: 2008-06-17
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method, performed by a first node, for supporting communications between nodes that are connected by one or more networks, the method comprising: at the first node: initiating a first state machine for supporting communications over the one or more networks between the first node and one or more other nodes, wherein the communications relate to executing a first application instance of a plurality of application instances in a master-slave configuration; entering a master state for the first application instance if there is a first indication that the first node should be a master of the first application instance; entering a slave state for the first application instance if there is a second indication that a second node already is or is attempting to become a master of the first application instance; initiating a second state machine for supporting additional messages between the first node and the one or more other nodes, wherein the additional messages relate to executing a second application instance of the plurality of application instances in the master-slave configuration, and wherein at the first node a state of the first application instance and a state of the second application instance can be different from each other; and initiating an additional state machine for each additional application instance for which the first node will be operating in the master-slave configuration.