Patent ID: 8339937
Filing Date: 2012-12-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A distributed packet based communications network, comprising: a central control system comprising a central controller; an access point remote from the central control system, the access point provides access to the packet based communications network, wherein under normal operating conditions the access point is controlled by the central controller, the access point comprising a gateway card and an emergency controller distinct from the central control system and the central controller of the central control system, the emergency controller configured to control the access point when there is a failure in the control of the access point that results when there is a failure in communication between the central controller of the central control system and the access point; and a plurality of other access points controlled by the central controller, the other access points and the access point forming a group of access points, wherein the emergency controller controls any of the other access points in the group when there is a failure in the control exerted by the central controller of any of those access points in the group that results at least in part due to a failure in communication between the central controller of the central control system and any of those access points of the group; and wherein the emergency controller is periodically updated to include data used by the central controller to control the access point; and the gateway card detecting the failure in communication between the central controller of the central control system and the access point and reporting the detected failure to the emergency controller; and wherein in response to the reporting of the detected failure, the emergency controller instructs the gateway card of the access point to restart so that after restarting the gateway card is controlled by the emergency controller, the emergency controller controlling the restarted gateway card using the updated data.