Method of forwarding messages to mobile objects in a computer network

• US 6,834,389 B1
• Filed: 11/25/1998
• Issued: 12/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Recursion Software, Inc.
• Inventors: Glass, Graham W.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAO, SUE X
• Application Number:
  US09/199,723
• Time in Patent Office: 2,218 Days
• Field of Search: 709/316, 709/317, 709/202, 709/313, 709/310, 719/317, 719/313, 719/315, 719/316, 719/310
• US Class Current: 719/317
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/546 Message passing systems or structures, e.g. queues

Abstract

In a computer network (100), a first object (102) is moved from a current host address and port number (104) to a new host address and port number (114). A forwarder object (122) associated with the first object (102) is created at the current host and port number (104). The forwarder object (122) includes the new host address and port number (114) for the first object (102). A second object (126) at a different host address and port number (128) creates a message (MSG2) destined for the first object (102). Not knowing that the first object (102) has moved, the second object sends the message (MSG2) to the current host address and port number (104). The forwarder object (122) intercepts and forwards the message (MSG2) to the first object (102) at the new host address and port number (114). The first object (102) returns a reply message (REPLY2) directly to the second object (126). The reply message (REPLY2) includes the new host address and port number (114) for the first object (102). The second object (126) updates its reference to the first object (102) in response to the reply message (REPLY2). Subsequent messages from the second object (126) to the first object (102) can now be delivered directly without going through the forwarder object (122).

Claims

1. A method of forwarding messages to mobile objects in a computer network, comprising steps of:

moving a first object from a current position to a new position in the computer network;

retaining an old version of the first object at the current position;

creating a forwarder object from the old version of the first object at the current position in response to establishing the first object at the new position;

placing information with respect to the new position at the forwarder object;

receiving a message at the current position destined for the first object from a second object;

re-routing the message from the forwarder object to the first object at the new position.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps of:

creating a reply message at the first object, the reply message including information with respect to the new position;

sending the reply message directly to the second object.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising steps of:

creating a subsequent message at the second object, the subsequent message being destined for the first object;

sending the subsequent message to the first object at the new position received in the reply message.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the subsequent message is sent directly to the first object without routing through the current position or the forwarder object.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the forwarder is destroyed after routing the message to the first object.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the current position and the new position are host address and port numbers corresponding to one or more computing devices within the computer network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the forwarder object is given a same lifespan as the first object.