Method and apparatus for sending a packet from a source to a destination node

Abstract

A method of sending a packet from a source node to a destination node in the same broadcast domain. The packet is associated with a traffic flow directed from the source node to the destination node. The source node is connected with the destination node via a first and a second communication path. A criterion based on an attribute of the traffic flow is measured for each of the communication paths. One path is selected between the first and second communication paths based on the measured criterion and the selected communication path is assigned to the associated traffic flow. The packet is then sent via the selected communication path.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a first network node to receive from a second network node via a first wireless network connection a video traffic flow, the video traffic flow to be directed from the first network node to a third network node via a second wireless network connection, the nodes to share a subnet address, the first network node including a handheld computer.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the handheld computer comprises a multiprocessor machine.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the handheld computer comprises a cellular telephone.   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the third network node is capable of selecting a network communication path via which to transmit the flow from the third network node.   
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 the second and third network nodes.   
     
     
         31 . A method comprising:
 receiving at a first network node a video traffic flow from a second network node via a first wireless network connection, the video traffic flow to be directed from the first network node to a third network node via a second wireless network connection, the nodes to share a subnet address, the first network node including a handheld computer.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the handheld computer comprises a multiprocessor machine.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the handheld computer comprises a cellular telephone.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the third network node is capable of selecting a network communication path via which to transmit the flow from the third network node.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 the second and third network nodes.   
     
     
         36 . Computer-readable memory having instructions stored therein that when executed result in performance of operations comprising:
 receiving at a first network node a video traffic flow from a second network node via a first wireless network connection, the video traffic flow to be directed from the first network node to a third network node via a second wireless network connection, the nodes to share a subnet address, the first network node including a handheld computer.   
     
     
         37 . The memory of  claim 36 , wherein:
 the handheld computer comprises a multiprocessor machine.   
     
     
         38 . The memory of  claim 36 , wherein:
 the handheld computer comprises a cellular telephone.   
     
     
         39 . The memory of  claim 36 , wherein:
 the third network node is capable of selecting a network communication path via which to transmit the flow from the third network node.   
     
     
         40 . The memory of  claim 36 , wherein:
 the first wireless network connection is in accordance with an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Std. 802.11n protocol.   
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the first wireless network connection is in accordance with an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Std. 802.11n protocol.   
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the first wireless network connection is in accordance with an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Std. 802.11n protocol.