Data center relocation methods and apparatus

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for supporting a data center relocation with regard to an access point are described. A primary gateway connection is established between the access point and a primary gateway in a first data center, and a secondary gateway connection is established between the access point and a secondary gateway in a second data center. A path switch request is sent via the secondary gateway connection. A DNS server sends an IP address corresponding to the second data center. The data center for the access point is switched from the first data center to the second data center. In some embodiments, the transition from the first data center to the second data center is in response to a detected communications failure. In other embodiments, the transition from the first data center to the second data center is due to scheduled maintenance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A communications method, the method comprising:
 establishing a primary gateway connection between an access point and a primary gateway;   establishing a connection for a user equipment (UE) device to said access point, said established connection being between said UE device and said access point; and   transmitting a path switch request via a secondary gateway connection between said access point and a secondary gateway, to a network entity, for said UE device connected to said access point while said UE device remains connected to said access point.