COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

摘要

An illustrative embodiment of the invention provides a communications system (1) that comprises: at least one gateway (G) to a backhaul connection (5) to an internet (3); a plurality of access points (9) that are linked in a network by one or more communications links to enable direct or indirect access to a said gateway (G) and via said gateway (G) to said backhaul connection (5), wherein each said access point (9) is associated with a filter module (FM) that is configured to direct traffic from the associated access point (9) to said at least one gateway (G) via a predetermined route that includes one or more of said communications links, said filter module (FM) being configured in response to a trigger event to send a trigger signal to said gateway; and a network control module (11) associated with said gateway (G), said network control module (11) being configured: (i) to receive trigger signals from said filter modules (FM), (ii) to identify from said trigger signals the one or more communication links associated with the filter modules (FM) from which said trigger signals have been received, (iii) to retrieve from storage an alternative network configuration that directly or indirectly couples said access points (9) to a said gateway (G) whilst avoiding the link or links identified in step (ii); and (iv) to send redirect signals to one or more of said access point filter modules (FM) to implement said alternative network configuration, each said redirect signal being related to a new route for signals from the access point (9) to which said signal is directed to a said gateway (G); wherein the access point filter modules (FM) are configured, on receipt of a said redirect signal from said control module (11), to adopt the route associated with said redirect signal and thereby implement said alternative network configuration. A filter module and a network control module for such a system are also disclosed.