Method and apparatus for re-establishing anonymous data transfers

A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium ram for re-establishing a path for the transfer of data between a first endpoint and a second endpoint in a network, the computer readable medium comprising program code for causing a computer system to perform the steps of:

• receiving, from a first node, the identity of a second node connected to said first node, where at least the first node is a neighbor node;
• selecting a third node, said third node being a neighbor node;
• and
• instructing said third node to connect to said second node in order to establish a link for said path, where said first endpoint and said second endpoint are unknown at least to each other.

Apparatus for re-establishing a path for the transfer of data between a first endpoint and a second endpoint in a network, said apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving, from a first node, the identity of a second node connected to said first node, where at least the first node is a neighbor node;
• and
• means for selecting a third node, said third node being a neighbor node;
• means for instructing said third node to connect to said second node in order to establish a link for said path, where said first endpoint and said second endpoint are unknown at least to each other.

A method for re-establishing a path for the transfer of data between a first endpoint and a second endpoint in a network, said method comprising the steps of:

• detecting a failure of a neighbor node, said neighbor node being part of an original path between said first endpoint and said second endpoint;
• receiving, from a repair server associated with said neighbor node, a repair node for said neighbor node;
• and
• connecting to said repair node such that said path is established in a manner that maintains anonymity of said first endpoint and said second endpoint relative to each other.