Apparatus and method of maintaining state in a data transmission system
AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorsWilson Sawyer, John M. Ulm
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method of maintaining state information for a network device changing from a first channel (in communication with a first base unit) to a second channel (in communication with a second base unit) communicates with at least one of the first base unit and an intermediate network device to ascertain the state information. Once the state information is ascertained, it is applied to the communication of the network device with the second base unit. Both the first and second base units are independently operable network devices in a data transmission network.
Claims48
A method of maintaining state information for a network device changing from a first channel to a second channel in a data transmission system, the first channel being in communication with a first base unit, the second channel being in communication with a second base unit, the first and second base units being independently operable network devices, the method comprising:
- communicating with at least one of the first base unit and an intermediate network device to ascertain the state information;
- and
- applying the state information to the communication of the network device with the second base unit.
An apparatus for maintaining state information for a network device changing from a first channel to a second channel in a data transmission system, the first channel being in communication with a first base unit, the second channel being in communication with a second base unit, the first and second base units being independently operable network devices, the apparatus comprising:
- a communication module capable of communicating with at least one of the first base unit and an intermediate network device to ascertain the state information;
- and
- a state processor in communication with the communication module, the state processor being capable of applying the state information to the communication of the network device with the second base unit.
A computer program product for use on a computer system for maintaining state information for a network device changing from a first channel to a second channel in a data transmission system, the first channel being in communication with a first base unit, the second channel being in communication with a second base unit, the first and second base units being independently operable network devices, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable code thereon, the computer readable program code comprising:
- program code for communicating with at least one of the first base unit and an intermediate network device to ascertain the state information;
- and
- program code for applying the state information to the communication of the network device with the second base unit.
A system for maintaining state information relating to a network device changing from a first channel to a second channel, the system comprising:
- a first base unit having a first interface to the first channel, the first base unit also including the state information;
- a second base unit having a second interface to the second channel, the second base unit being independently operable from the first base unit;
- and
- a state module capable of obtaining the state information for the second base unit.
A method of controlling the communication of a network device with a head end in a data transmission system, the network device being registered with a first channel, the method comprising:
- determining that the network device is to be moved from the first channel to a second channel, the first channel being associated with a first base unit, the second channel being associated with a second base unit, the first and second base units being part of the head end and being independently operating network devices;
- communicating with the network device via the second channel;
- and
- obtaining state information relating to the network device.
A computer program product for use on a computer system for controlling the communication of a network device with a head end in a data transmission system, the network device being registered with a first channel, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable code thereon, the computer readable program code comprising:
- program code for determining that the network device is to be moved from the first channel to a second channel, the first channel being associated with a first base unit, the second channel being associated with a second base unit, the first and second base units being part of the head end and being independently operating network devices;
- program code for communicating with the network device via the second channel;
- and
- program code for obtaining state information relating to the network device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.