Patent ID: 7706325

Claim:
A method for handling context of data packet flows, said flows being simultaneous and belonging to the same session, between terminals through a network structure comprising at least a network comprising a number of routers for routing data packet flows between the routers along data packet flow paths connecting said terminals, of which terminals at least one is mobile and may change access between different access points of said network structure, wherein an access point comprises an access router and a middlebox, which is controlled and supported by a Midcom Agent belonging to a domain of said network structure, the method comprising: dividing a total context associated to a session into common context, which is common to all flows of the session, and one dynamic context per data packet flow of the session; storing said common context in the Midcom Agent of a first domain of the network structure; storing each dynamic context in the middlebox through which the associated flow passes; transferring the dynamic context associated to the data packet flow when the data packet flow is moved from a middlebox in the first domain to another middlebox in an access point in said first domain or to a middlebox of an access point in a second domain; determining whether all flows belonging to the session are moved from the first domain, or not; transferring the common context of the session flow and the control of the associated dynamic context stored in the middleboxes through which the data packets of the session flows from the Midcom Agent of the first domain to the Midcom Agent of the second domain having at least one of said flows, if all said flows have been transferred from said first domain; establishing communication between the Midcom Agent of the first domain and the Midcom Agent of the second domain.