Method and apparatus for providing backup internet access

• US 6,934,762 B1
• Filed: 04/27/2000
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Redundant Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Redundant Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Buckley, John, Lange, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Barot, Bharat
• Application Number:
  US09/560,685
• Time in Patent Office: 1,944 Days
• Field of Search: 709202-204, 709217-219, 709223-225, 709238-239, 709/249, 370/216, 370385-386, 370/401
• US Class Current: 709/239
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0663 Performing the actions predefined by failover planning, e.g. switching to standby network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/40 for recovering from a failure of a protocol instance or entity, e.g. service redundancy protocols, protocol state redundancy or protocol service redirection management of faults, events, alarms or notifications in data switching networks H04L41/06

Abstract

A method, an apparatus and a system for providing secondary or backup Internet access are disclosed. The system includes a local network server having a primary router for directing data to/from a primary Internet backbone and a secondary router for directing data to/from a secondary Internet backbone. The primary router is connected to a primary local communications circuit employing a primary transmission medium. A primary point of presence is connected to the primary local communication circuit, and thereby provides primary Internet access via a primary Internet backbone. The secondary router is connected to a secondary local communications circuit employing a secondary transmission medium different than the primary transmission medium. A secondary point of presence is connected to the secondary local communication circuit, and thereby provides secondary Internet access via a secondary Internet backbone. The system employs control logic for detecting a failure to provide Internet access via the primary router, and for directing communication to the secondary router. A method and an apparatus for providing secondary Internet access are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for providing backup Internet access, the system comprising:

a local network server;

a primary router connected to the local network server, the primary router for directing data to/from a primary internet backbone;

a primary local communications circuit connected to the primary router, the primary local communications circuit employing a primary transmission medium;

a primary point of presence connected to the primary local communications circuit, the primary point of presence for providing internet access via the primary internet backbone;

a secondary router connected to the local network server, the secondary router for directing data to/from a secondary internet backbone;

a secondary local communications circuit connected to the secondary router, the secondary local communications circuit employing a secondary transmission medium of a different type than the primary transmission medium;

a secondary point of presence connected to the secondary local communications circuit, the secondary point of presence for providing internet access via the secondary internet backbone; and

control logic operative to detect a failure to provide internet access via the primary router and automatically direct communication to the secondary router;

thereby providing backup internet access.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary transmission medium is a copper pathway and the secondary transmission medium is selected from the group consisting of a fiber pathway and a wireless pathway.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary transmission medium is a fiber pathway and the secondary transmission medium is selected from the group consisting of a copper pathway and a wireless pathway.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary transmission medium is a wireless pathway and the secondary transmission medium is selected from the group consisting of a copper pathway and a fiber pathway.

5. The system of claim 1, further including control logic for determining a level of usage of the secondary internet backbone.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the level of usage is based on time.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the level of usage is based on throughput of data.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary internet backbone is dedicated to providing secondary internet access.