Dynamic, seamless switching of a network session from one connection route to another

Abstract

A system for providing continuous connection between a client and a network during a session. The system comprises of a connection utility, which monitors a network session for an occurrence of a pre-defined event and/or condition. The system is particularly advantageous in scenarios where a session's connection is lost and the session has to be reconnected to the network. The system also finds applicability with several other types of events/conditions, including a connection break, a slow or congested connection or a change in the type of data being transmitted. When any one of the pre-defined events/conditions occur, the session is automatically routed from the present connection route to another connection route, and is completed on the other connection route. In order to complete the re-routing of the sessions, session information is cached on the client and the server. The session data is tagged with the original session ID. On the server, a special Client Key is stored for later retrieval, and on the client a special Server Key is stored. During the reconnect, the server uses its previously stored session data associated with the client key and previous session ID to regain a new session connection. The client uses its previously stored session data to regain its side of the connection and to pass the proper request over the wire to the server. This special “handshake” occurs at session reconnect time and allows the special session re-connection to occur. The re-routing of the session is completed with no noticeable loss in connection or session information. Thus, a substantially seamless switching of the session from the first connection route to the second connection route is implemented.