Method For Sharing Resources Over A Network

Abstract

In a client/server network, each of a plurality of IP devices has access to a network capability, such as an analog line, when connected to a central server. At least one of the IP devices is in direct communication with a second analog line and grants other IP devices access to the second analog line when the other IP devices lose their connection to the central server.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood with reference to the following Figures in which like numerals denote like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a prior art IP phone subnet;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another prior art IP phone subnet;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing communication between a requesting phone and a granting phone according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a state diagram showing operation of a requesting phone according to the embodiment.

Claims

1. A client/server network comprising: a plurality of IP devices in communication with a central server, each of said plurality of IP devices having access to a network capability when connected to said central server, one of said plurality of IP devices having direct access to said network capability and being arranged to notify others of said plurality of IP devices of said network capability;wherein said one of said plurality of IP devices is arranged to grant said others of said plurality of IP devices access to said network capability when said others of said plurality of IP devices are not connected to said central server.

2. A client/server network as claimed in claim 1, wherein said network capability is an analog line.

3. A client/server network as claimed in claim 2, wherein said one of said plurality of IP devices has direct access to another analog line.

4. A client/server network as claimed in claim 1, wherein said network capability is a connection to a wireless LAN.

5. A client/server network as claimed in claim 4, wherein said one of said plurality of IP devices has direct access to another connection to said wireless LAN.

6. A client/server network as claimed in claim 1, wherein said network capability is a connection to the internet.

7. A client/server network as claimed in claim 6, wherein said one of said plurality of IP devices has direct access to another connection to the internet.

8. A client/server network as claimed in claim 3, wherein said central server includes more than one analog line.

9. A client/server network as claimed in claim 3, wherein said analog line connects to a Public Switched Telephone Network.

10. A client/server network as claimed in claim 3, wherein said others of said plurality of IP devices are arranged to send a request message to said one of said plurality of IP devices in order to access said second analog line.

11. A client/server network as claimed in claim 10, wherein said one of said plurality of IP devices is arranged to seize said second analog line upon receipt of said request message.

12. A client/server network as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of IP devices is configured to maintain a list of IP devices having said network capability and to index said list using a random sequence.

13. A client/server network as claimed in claim 1, wherein said IP devices are IP phones.

14. A client/server network according to claim 1, wherein said one of said plurality of IP devices is arranged to notify the others of said plurality of IP devices of said network capability using a multicast message.

15. A method for providing a network among a plurality of IP devices, said method comprising: providing said plurality of IP devices in communication with a central server, each of said plurality of IP devices having access to a network capability through said central server and one of said plurality of IP devices having direct access to said network capability,said one of said plurality of IP devices notifying others of said plurality of IP devices of said network capability; andsaid one of said plurality of IP devices granting said others of said plurality of IP devices access to said network capability when said others of said plurality of IP devices are not connected to said central server.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said network capability is an analog line and said one of said plurality of IP devices has direct access to another analog line.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein said network capability is a connection to a wireless LAN and said one of said plurality of IP devices has direct access to another connection to said wireless LAN.

18. A method according to claim 15, wherein said network capability is a connection to the internet and said one of said plurality of IP devices has direct access to another connection to the internet.

19. A method according to claim 16, comprising one of said others of said plurality of IP devices sending a request message to said one of said plurality of IP devices in order to access said another analog line.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising: said one of said plurality of IP devices seizing said second analog line following receipt of said request message from said one of said others of said plurality of IP devices.

21. A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising: said one of said plurality of IP devices sending a grant message to said one of said others of said plurality of IP devices in response to said request message.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said second analog line is dedicated to said one of said others of said plurality of IP devices until said one of said others of said plurality of IP devices sends a release message to said one of said plurality of IP devices.

23. A method according to claim 15 further, comprising each of said plurality of IP devices maintaining a list of IP devices having said network capability and indexing said list using a random sequence.

24. A method according to claim 15, wherein said step of notifying comprises said one of said plurality of IP devices notifying the others of said plurality of IP devices of said network capability using a multicast message.

25. A client/server network as claimed in claim 8 wherein said others of said plurality of IP devices are arranged to send a request message to said one of said plurality of IP devices in order to access said second analog line.

26. A client/server network as claimed in claim 9 wherein said others of said plurality of IP devices are arranged to send a request message to said one of said plurality of IP devices in order to access said second analog line.