Patent ID: 8194649

Claim:
A data communication apparatus, comprising: a port for enabling data communication with a remote entity via a network; a control entity in communication with said port and operative to: establish a connection with the remote entity over a first communication path through the network, wherein the connection established over the first communication path includes an exchange of data between said data communication apparatus and the remote entity; negotiate with the remote entity using in-band signaling over the first communication path to establish a second communication path between said data communication apparatus and the remote entity allowing the transmission of data from (a) said data communication apparatus and (b) the remote entity to the other of (a) said data communication apparatus and (b) the remote entity; transfer at least part of the connection to the second communication path upon determining that the connection can be transferred to the second communication path, while allowing a continued exchange of data with the remote entity over the first communication path; and transfer the at least part of the connection back to the first communication path upon determining that the second communication path has failed.