초록 ▼

Apparatus for transferring packet data incorporates a "hand-off" feature that allows the transfer of an existing PPP connection from one packet server to another packet server. Such a hand-off control message or call continue transaction can be initiated by any of the servers involved in the transac

Apparatus for transferring packet data incorporates a "hand-off" feature that allows the transfer of an existing PPP connection from one packet server to another packet server. Such a hand-off control message or call continue transaction can be initiated by any of the servers involved in the transactions. For instance, assume an initial arrangement where a point-to-point call is set up and in progress between a user and a private network via a first packet server (e.g., a first Serving LAC) and a second packet server (e.g., an Anchor LAC). If, for example, the user moves out of the region served by the first packet server into a region served by a third packet server (e.g., a second Serving LAC), then a hand-off control message transaction, according to the invention, is initiated. Either the second Serving LAC or the Anchor LAC may initiate the call continue transaction. Alternatively, radius servers respectively associated with the packet servers may be employed to perform the call continue transaction. Furthermore, assuming that a communication path is not yet established between the second packet server (e.g., Anchor LAC) and the third packet server (e.g., the second Serving LAC), a communication path (e.g., tunnel) set-up control message transaction may be performed concurrent with the call continue transaction. Still further, at least one packet server (e.g., the Anchor LAC) monitors state variables associated with the packet servers (e.g., the second Serving LAC and the private network) from which it receives packet data.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Apparatus comprising:packet equipment which is configured to participate in a communication session through a point-to-point protocol (PPP) connection with a first packet server and a second packet server established in accordance with a tunneling protocol and to monitor sequence number state var

1. Apparatus comprising:packet equipment which is configured to participate in a communication session through a point-to-point protocol (PPP) connection with a first packet server and a second packet server established in accordance with a tunneling protocol and to monitor sequence number state variables associated with packet data transmitted between the first packet server and the second packet server so as to maintain the communication session, including packet order, in the presence of a change in the PPP connection without a need to reestablish the PPP connection.