Patent ID: 7796595
Filing Date: 2010-09-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A communication method for receiving an IP packet that includes an IP header and an IP data portion, the IP header including an address portion and an option area, the option area including an end position indicator indicating an end position of the option area, the method comprising the steps of: receiving the IP packet from a network by an individual terminal, the IP packet further including an additional data provided in an additional data area defined in the IP packet header following the end position indicator; and reading the additional data in the option area, wherein: the additional data is a group number used to define a plurality of communication partners to be combined, and the method further comprises the steps of: comparing a reference group number designated for the individual terminal with the group number used to define a plurality of communication partners to be combined in the additional data area; and determining whether performing TCP/IP reception process or abandoning the IP packet, in accordance with the comparison results.