A system for switching from an established media path to a new media path in a packet based network

摘要

There is described a system for switching from an established media path to a new media path for packets transmitted between first and second end points in a packet based network. An instruction is transmitted to the first end point instructing it to set up a new receiving channel for receiving packets transmitted from the second end point over the new media path. An instruction is transmitted to the second end point instructing it to configure a sending channel to send packets over the new media path for reception on the new receiving channel of the first end point. For a time period during the switching, the first end point monitors for packets simultaneously on both its new receiving channel and an established receiving channel configured to receive packets transmitted from the second end point over the established media path. This systems helps ensure a seamless switchover from the established to the new media paths.