METHOD AND SYSTEM OF MAINTAINING A CONNECTION IN A NETWORK COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

摘要

A method and system for maintaining a connection between two hosts (110, 190) in a multi-hop network (100) comprising at least one network node disposed between the two hosts and a network element (170), e.g., a NAT, designed to release the connection after a period of inactivity. The method includes determining a first node in which a keep- alive message will terminate after crossing a network element designed to release the connection after a period of inactivity, and sending a keep-alive data packet configured to terminate in the first node after crossing the network element designed to release the connection. The keep-alive packet may be sent within a time period less than the time period of inactivity after which the network element would release the connection. The method allows for a connection to be kept open without waking up a client device and/or without activating air interface procedures.