Multi-link network architecture, including security, in seamless roaming communications systems and methods
View Patent ↗A communications system provides for secure communications of information over multiple communications links. The system includes a client device, a server device, and at least one, and typically multiple, available and usable communications channels, elements, modes and links for connecting the devices for communications of information therebetween. The system includes a link detector for determining existence and usability of the communications links for communications of the information, a pathfinder for selecting one or more of the communications links for communications of at least some of the information, a link handover for switching to the selected one or more communications links for communications of the information or portion thereof, and an auto reconnector for re-connecting to detected and selected one or more communications links for communications of the information or portions of it in the event that any communication is hindered, terminated or upset.
1. A communications system for communicating an information, comprising:
a client device, including a client linker;
a server device, including a server linker;
a first communications link for communicatively connecting the client device and the server device for communicating the information therebetween;
a first security feature of the first communications link;
a second communications link for communicatively connecting the client device and the server device for communicating the information therebetween;
a second security feature of the second communications link;
wherein the first communications link differs from the second communications link;
wherein the client linker selects either of the first communications link and the second communications link for communications by the client device with the server device and the server linker selects either of the first communications link and the second communications link for communications by the server device with the client device; and
wherein the client linker and the server linker maintain continuous communications of the information between the client device and the server device over: (i) the first communications link if the second communications link is unable to communicate the information; and (ii) the second communications link if the first communications link is unable to communicate the information.
2. The communications system of claim 1 , wherein the client linker comprises:
a link detector for determining existence and usability of the first link and the second link for communications of the information;
a pathfinder for selecting either of the first link and the second link at each instant, for communications between the client device and the server device;
a link handover for switching to the first link from communication over the second link, and to the second link, from communication over the first link; and
an auto reconnector for re-connecting communications between the client device and the server device via the first link, if the second link is unable to communicate the information, and via the second link, if the first link is unable to communicate the information.
3. The communications system of claim 2 , wherein the client linker and the server linker comprise an implementer of a specialized protocol for communications of the information.
4. The communications system of claim 3 , wherein the implementer comprises a packetizer, a data packet identifier, and a timer; and further comprising:
a payload maker for formatting the information for communication; and
a payload constructor for constructing the information from formatting by the payload maker.
5. A method of communications, comprising:
detecting a first communications link having first security, for communications of information between a client device and a server device;
detecting a second communications link having second security, for communications of information between the client device and the server device;
selecting the first communications link, having first security, for communicating between the client device and the server device if available;
if the first communications link is not available, selecting the second communications link, having second security, for communicating between the client device and the server device;
linking to one of either the first communications link and the second communications link at each instant, to maintain communicative connectivity during communications between the client device and the server device;
reconnecting to the first communications link for communicating information between the client device and the server device, if communications are hindered over the second communications link; and
reconnecting to the second communications link for communicating information between the client device and the server device, if communications are hindered over the first communications link.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of selecting the second communications link follows the step of selecting the first communications link.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first communications link comprises a plurality of packet-switched communications paths, having the first security feature, and the step of selecting the first communications link comprises the step of selecting at least one of the plurality of paths for communications between the client device and the server device over the first communications link; and
wherein the second communications link comprises a plurality of packet-switched communications paths, having the second security feature, and the step of selecting the second communications link comprises the step of selecting at least one of the plurality of paths for communications between the client device and the server device over the second communications link.