Method for multiple link quality of service for voice and video over internet protocol

A communications network comprising:

• a transmitting device;
• a receiving device;
• a first network device;
• a second network device;
• the transmitting device and receiving device operable to maintain a data transmission over a first network path that is made up of one or more network links where at least one of the network links is to a local area network is remote from the transmitting device;
• wherein the first network device is operable to switch the transmission from the first network path to one of a plurality of alternative network paths without disrupting the transmission;
• the second network device is operable to perform a Network Address Translation (NAT) on said transmission;
• said transmission contains audio or video content;
• said transmission is made using the Real Time Protocol (RTP);
• said transmission uses the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP);
• and
• said transmission's SIP signaling sequence is maintained after said switching from the first network path to the one of a plurality of alternative network paths.

A method of enhancing the reliability of a transmission from a source to a destination in a communications network using a network protocol that operates on top of the Internet Protocol (IP), the method comprising:

• transmitting data between a source and destination over a first network path made up of one or more network links where at least one of the network links is to a local area network that is remote from the transmission source;
• switching the transmission from the first network path to one of a plurality of alternative network paths;
• wherein said transmission is not disrupted as a result of said switch to the one of a plurality of alternative network paths, said transmission contains audio or video data, and at least one Port Address Translation (PAT) is performed on said transmission;
• said transmission contains audio or video content;
• said transmission contains data used in the control of the audio or video transmission;
• said transmission uses the Real Time Protocol (RTP);
• said transmission further uses the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP);
• and
• the SIP signaling sequence of the transmission is maintained after said switching from the first network path to the one of a plurality of alternative network paths.

A communications network comprising

• a transmitting device;
• a receiving device;
• a first network device;
• a second network device;
• the transmitting device and receiving device operable to maintain a data transmission over a first network path that is made up of one or more network links where at least one of the network links is to a local area network is remote from the transmitting device;
• wherein the first network device is operable to switch the transmission from the first network path to one of a plurality of alternative network paths without disrupting the transmission;
• and said the second network device is operable to perform a Port Address Translation (PAT) on said transmission;
• said transmission contains audio or video content
• said transmission is made using the Real Time Protocol (RTP)
• said transmission further uses the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP);
• and
• said transmission's SIP signaling sequence is maintained after said switching from the first network path to the one of a plurality of alternative network paths.