Patent ID: 8493844
Filing Date: 2013-07-23
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of reconfiguring a packet-switched communications network, comprising: providing a first network using a first network protocol; providing a second network using a second network protocol differing from the first network protocol; providing a first and second redundant data links, wherein only one data link is activated for a data exchange, wherein the first redundant data link is initialized as active and the second redundant data link is initialized as inactive; detecting a failure of the first redundant data link by a first bridge of the second network, the first bridge being connected to the first redundant data link; generating a first data packet by the first bridge; transmitting the first data packet by the first bridge to a second bridge of the second network, the second bridge being connected to the second redundant data link; receiving the first data packet by the second bridge; and processing the first data packet by the second bridge, wherein the first data packet contains logical information which initiates detecting a restoration of the failed first redundant data link by the first bridge; generating a second data packet by the first bridge; transmitting the second data packet by the first bridge to the second bridge of the second network; receiving the second data packet by the second bridge; processing the second data packet by the second bridge, wherein the second data packet contains logical information which initiates activating the first redundant data link; and inactivating the second redundant data links.