Patent ID: 8233384

Claim:
A communication terminal comprising: a user interface; a communication interface; and a control system associated with the user interface and the communication interface, the control system adapted to: periodically attempt to communicate with a first service node, wherein first configuration data identifies the first service node as a default primary service node for the communication terminal and wherein the primary service node is adapted to facilitate communication sessions involving the communication terminal; detect if an attempt to communicate with the first service node fails; and when an attempt to communicate with the first service node fails, attempt to associate with a second service node serving as a default primary service node for a first group of communication terminals other than the communication terminal and wherein the second service node is adapted to facilitate communication sessions involving the communication terminal and the first group of communication terminals; receive from the second service node a redirection message based on an overload condition of the second service node instructing the communication terminal to attempt to associate with a third service node, wherein the redirection message identifies the third service node; upon receiving the redirection message, successfully associate with the third service node serving as a primary service node for a second group of communication terminals and adapted to facilitate communication sessions involving the communication terminal and the second group of communication terminals; while associated with the third service node, receive a registration instruction from the third service node, the registration instruction instructing the communication terminal to attempt to associate with the first service node; and in response to the registration instruction, successfully associate with the first service node in lieu of the third service node.