System, method, computer program for multidirectional pathway selection

Abstract

The present invention is directed at determining a network pathway between two end points within the network. The network pathway to be used can be determined based on parameters monitored or measured at either or both of the two end points. The present invention is also directed to managing the network pathway for supporting communication between the two end points at any given time. These communications may occur in two directions, therefore the pathway and management of this pathway can happen in two directions. In the present invention the pathway selection operates on a bi-directional basis (further explained below). The invention provides a solution for “bi-directional network pathway management”.

1 . A computer-network-implementable method for failover of a failing network connection between at least two network points comprising:
 identifying and establishing, by a network control means at each network point, at least a primary connection between the at least two network points;   gathering intelligence, by operation of a network information means at each network point, such intelligence relating to at least one performance parameter of each primary connection;   establishing a threshold condition for the primary connection; and   accessing a decision tree at one or more of the network points when the threshold condition is met for determining whether to avoid the primary connection, wherein if the decision tree determines to avoid the primary connection, the primary connection is pre-emptively avoided, a secondary connection is created between the at least two network points by the network control means, and data is communicated over the secondary connection between the at least two network points.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network information means communicates a connection verification message between the at least two network points to gather the intelligence. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the connection verification message is pulsed between the network information means of each of the at least two network points. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the network information means receiving a connection verification message transmits an acknowledgement message to the network information means transmitting the connection verification message. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the performance parameters are selected from a group consisting of: loss, bandwidth, jitter, saturation, latency, cost, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the network control means reintegrating the primary connection when the threshold condition is no longer exceeded. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the decision tree determines to avoid the primary connection if the number of acknowledgement messages exceeds a loss threshold and the bandwidth for transmission from the network point is between a maximum and minimum bandwidth threshold. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the decision tree determines to avoid the primary connection if the number of acknowledgement messages exceeds a loss threshold, the bandwidth for transmission from the network point exceeds a maximum bandwidth threshold, and the bandwidth for reception to the network point is lower than a minimum bandwidth threshold 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the decision tree determines to avoid the primary connection if the number of acknowledgement messages exceeds a loss threshold and the bandwidth for transmission is less than a minimum bandwidth threshold. 
     
     
         10 . A system for failover of a failing network connection between at least two network points comprising:
 a plurality of network control means, each network control means linked to one of the at least two network points, each network control means identifying and establishing at least a primary connection between the at least two network points;   a plurality of network information means, each network information means linked to one of the at least two network points, the network information means gathering intelligence relating to at least one performance parameter of each primary connection;   a decision tree at one or more of the network points, wherein the decision tree is accessed when a threshold condition for the primary connection is met, the decision tree determining whether to avoid the primary connection, wherein if the decision tree determines to avoid the primary connection, the primary connection is pre-emptively avoided, a secondary connection is created between the at least two network points by the network control means, and data is communicated over the secondary connection between the at least two network points.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the network information means communicates a connection verification message between the at least two network points to gather the intelligence. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the connection verification message is pulsed between the network information means of each of the at least two network points. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the network information means receiving a connection verification message transmits an acknowledgement message to the network information means transmitting the connection verification message. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the performance parameters are selected from a group consisting of: loss, bandwidth, jitter, saturation, latency, cost, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the network control means reintegrates the primary connection when the threshold condition is no longer exceeded. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the decision tree determines to avoid the primary connection if the number of acknowledgement messages exceeds a loss threshold and the bandwidth for transmission from the network point is between a maximum and minimum bandwidth threshold. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the decision tree determines to avoid the primary connection if the number of acknowledgement messages exceeds a loss threshold, the bandwidth for transmission from the network point exceeds a maximum bandwidth threshold, and the bandwidth for reception to the network point is lower than a minimum bandwidth threshold 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the decision tree determines to avoid the primary connection if the number of acknowledgement messages exceeds a loss threshold and the bandwidth for transmission is less than a minimum bandwidth threshold.