Patent ID: 8972556
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of maintaining a first communication link between a first communication device and a second communication device, the first communication link established through a boundary device, the method comprising: a. generating a keep-alive message at a keep-alive server operatively coupled to the boundary device via an auxiliary communication link, the keep-alive server having an IP address which differs from an IP address of the first communication device and an IP address of the second communication device, the keep-alive message being generated having address information indicative that either its origin is the first communication device and its destination is the second communication device or its origin is the second communication device and its destination is the first communication device, wherein said origin is spoofed as originating from either the IP address of the first communication device or the IP address of the second communication device, the address information being further indicative that the second communication device is its source or destination, the address information thereby purporting that the keep-alive message has traversed or is to traverse at least a second predetermined portion of the first communication link coupled to the second communication device and excluding the boundary device; b. maintaining the first communication link through the boundary device by transmitting the keep-alive message toward the boundary device, wherein the keep-alive message is received by the boundary device, the address information purporting that the keep-alive message has traversed or is to traverse at least a first predetermined portion of the first communication link coupled to the first communication device and excluding the boundary device, the predetermined portion being separate from the auxiliary communication link; and c. inhibiting the keep-alive message from traversing the first predetermined portion and the second predetermined portion.