Patent ID: 6148411
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
An internetwork apparatus for use as one in redundant configuration pair of internetwork apparatuses comprising two internetwork apparatuses in a network system comprising a plurality of networks, a plurality of internetwork apparatuses connected to at least one of said plurality of networks and a plurality of terminals connected to one of said plurality of network, said internetwork apparatus comprising:a plurality of ports, each connected to one of said plurality of networks and having an inherent address and a relay address common to the port and a corresponding port of another internetwork apparatus of the redundant configuration pair, both of the port and said corresponding port being connected to same one of said plurality of network, wherein the internetwork apparatus uses said relay address when the port operates as the current port to perform communication; andmeans, in response to an occurrence of a failure in said another internetwork apparatus, for utilizing said relay address of one of said plurality of ports to make the port current, said failure preventing a communication through said corresponding port of said another internetwork apparatus.