| abstract |
An interface ( 1 ) to a network such as the internet is connected via an access network 4 to user terminal 7. Interposed in this path is a branch point ( 3 ) which divert some (though not all) of the data traffic from the interface ( 1 ) to the terminal ( 7 ) via an alternative path such as a satellite link ( 12, 13, 14, 15 ). Its decision as to which path to follow is made by examining the contents of that item. |