METHOD OF ACCELERATING CONTROL LINK LOSS DETECTION

Abstract

A method of accelerating link loss detection includes providing a plurality of IP devices in communication with a central server. The method includes: a first one of the plurality of IP devices broadcasting a link loss message to others of the plurality of IP devices when communication between the first one of the plurality of IP devices and the central server is interrupted, one of the others of the plurality of IP devices performing a verification process to confirm interruption of communication between the central server and the plurality of IP devices and upon successful completion of the verification process, the one of the others of the plurality of IP devices broadcasting a link loss confirmation message and each of the IP devices terminating communication with the central server and reconnecting to a new central server following receipt of the link loss confirmation message.

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 state diagram showing the interrelationship between operating states for IP phones, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a plurality of IP phones connected to a PBX, wherein one of the IP phones that discovers a link loss and broadcasts a message, according to the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a state diagram showing state transitions for the IP phone of FIG. 2 that discovers a link loss;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a plurality of IP phones connected to a PBX, wherein one of the IP phones elects itself to be an auditor, according to the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a state diagram showing state transitions for the IP phone of FIG. 4 that becomes an auditor;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram similar to FIG. 4 wherein an auditor confirms that a PBX is unavailable;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram similar to FIG. 6 wherein the auditor finds that a PBX is available; and

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram showing operation following discovery of a link loss according to the preferred embodiment.

Claims

1. A method for providing a network among a plurality of IP devices, said method comprising: providing said plurality of IP devices, each of said IP devices being in communication with a central server;a first one of said plurality of IP devices broadcasting a link loss message to others of said plurality of IP devices when communication between said first one of said plurality of IP devices and said central server is interrupted;one of said others of said plurality of IP devices performing a verification process to confirm interruption of communication between said central server and said plurality of IP devices; andupon successful completion of said verification process, said one of said others of said plurality of IP devices broadcasting a link loss confirmation message and each of said IP devices terminating communication with said central server and reconnecting to a new central server following receipt of said link loss confirmation message;wherein upon unsuccessful completion of said verification process, each of said IP devices resumes normal operation.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said IP devices are IP phones.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said verification process includes pinging said central server.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising others of said plurality of IP devices performing a random backoff following receipt of said link loss message.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said one of said others of said plurality of IP devices completes said random backoff first.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said one of said others of said plurality of IP devices broadcasts a link loss auditor announcement following completion of said random backoff.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of IP devices is in a wait for confirmation state while said one of said others of said plurality of IP devices performs said verification process.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first one of said plurality of IP devices terminates communication with said central server and reconnects to a new central server following broadcast of said link loss message.

9. A network among a plurality of IP devices operable to communicate with a central server, said network comprising: a first one of said plurality of IP devices for broadcasting a link loss message to others of said plurality of IP devices when communication between said first one of said plurality of IP devices and said server is interrupted;a second one of said plurality of IP devices for performing a verification process to confirm interruption of communication between said server and said plurality of IP devices and broadcasting a server unavailable message if said verification process is successful;wherein each of said plurality of IP devices terminates communication with said server and reconnects to a new central server in response to receipt of said server unavailable message.

10. A network comprising: a central server; anda plurality of IP devices according to claim 9.