Patent ID: 7321598
Filing Date: 2008-01-22
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for connecting IPv6 devices through an IPv4 network to an IPv6 node in an IPv6 network using a tunnel setup protocol, comprising steps of: using Transfer Control Protocol (TCP) messaging to establish a control channel between a tunnel client in the IPv4 network and a tunnel broker server in the IPv4 network; and at the tunnel client: wherein: if either acceptance of the request is received from the tunnel broker server, the tunnel client periodically sends a keep-alive message to the tunnel broker server to maintain the tunnel setup protocol session with the tunnel broker server; and if a refusal of the request is received from the tunnel broker server, the tunnel client further receives from the tunnel broker server, via the control channel, a list of alternate tunnel broker servers which may be used by the tunnel client.