Patent ID: 7996543

Claim:
A method for establishing a data packet exchange communication session that allows the exchange of data packets between an originating client and a destination client in a data network having a client-server arrangement, the method comprising: receiving, at a communications management server, a communications session request data message transmitted through a first network firewall using a first temporary signaling communications path in the first network firewall from an originating client residing behind the first network firewall, said communications session request data message containing at least said unique network address of a destination client not residing behind the first network firewall; upon receiving said communications session request data message, said communications management server determining that said originating client is residing behind the first network firewall, and determining whether said first network firewall will allow exchange of media data packets between said originating client and any other client not residing behind said first network firewall; and if it is determined by the communications management server that the first network firewall will allow the direct bi-directional exchange of media data packets between said originating client and any other client not residing behind the first network firewall, the communications management server performing the steps of: retrieving a relationship information between a unique network address of said originating client and a unique network address of a first network firewall port and a first network firewall port identity; and converting said communications session request data message from said originating client into a format interpretable by said destination client; establishing a media data packet exchange communications session with said originating client through said first network firewall; and instructing said originating client to begin transmission of forward media data exchange packets to said destination client, said forward media data exchange packets being addressed to said unique network address of said destination client; otherwise, the communications management server performing the step of: establishing a media data packet exchange session with said originating client using, said first network firewall.