Method and apparatus for providing backup internet access

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.

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 different 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.  
   
   
       9 . A method for providing backup internet access, the method comprising: 
 detecting a failure in equipment connecting a local network to a primary internet backbone; and    directing communication to a secondary router, the secondary router for routing communication to a secondary internet backbone, the secondary internet backbone being geographically distinct from the primary internet backbone, the secondary internet backbone dedicated to providing secondary internet access.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further including determining a level of usage of the secondary internet backbone.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the level of usage is based on time.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the level of usage is based on throughput of data.  
   
   
       13 . A system for providing backup internet access, the system comprising: 
 means for detecting a failure in equipment connecting a local network to a primary internet backbone; and    means for directing communication to a secondary router, the secondary router for routing communication to a secondary internet backbone, the secondary internet backbone being geographically distinct from the primary internet backbone, the secondary internet backbone dedicated to providing secondary internet access.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , further including means for determining a level of usage of the secondary internet backbone.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the level of usage is based on time.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the level of usage is based on throughput of data.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for providing backup internet access, the apparatus comprising: 
 a processor;    a memory connected to said processor storing a program to control the operation of said processor;    the processor operative with the program in the memory to: 
 detect a failure in equipment connecting a local network to a primary internet backbone; and  
 direct communication to a secondary router, the secondary router for routing communication to a secondary internet backbone, the secondary internet backbone being geographically distinct from the primary internet backbone, the secondary internet backbone dedicated to providing secondary internet access.  
   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the processor is further operative with the program in the memory to determine a level of usage of the secondary internet backbone.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the level of usage is based on time.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the level of usage is based on throughput of data.