Patent ID: 6775235
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A controller which controls access to multiple independent disparate networks in a parallel network configuration, the disparate networks comprisinig at least one private network and at least one network based on the Internet, the controller comprising:a sit interface connecting the controller to a site; at least two network interfaces which send packets toward the disparate networks; and a packet path selector which selects between network interfaces according to at least: a destination of the packet, an optional presence of alternate paths to that destination, and at least one specified criterion for selecting between alternate paths when such alternate paths are present; wherein the controller receives a packet through the site interface and sends the packet through the network interface that was selected by the packet path selector; and wherein the packet path selector selects between network interfaces according to a security criterion, thereby promoting use of multiple disparate networks to carry different pieces of a given message so that unauthorized interception of packets on fewer than all of the disparate networks used to carry the message will not provide the total content of the message.