Abstract: An H.323 client terminal (102) according to an embodiment of the invention employs primary and secondary H.323 control units or state machines (110a, 110b). The primary control unit (110a) sends signaling messages to a primary gatekeeper (108a) and triggers the secondary control unit (110b) to send a message with an appropriate correlation identifier to a secondary gatekeeper (108b). The primary control unit (110a) establishes a call per standard H.323 protocols. The secondary control unit (110b) also establishes a call via a secondary gatekeeper (108b). However, no media channels are established for this back up call. As the secondary control unit (110b) receives signaling from the secondary gatekeeper (108b), it checks the status of the call with the primary control unit (110a). If the call signaling on the primary control unit (110a) is proceeding normally, no further action is taken. If the call signaling with the primary gatekeeper (108a) fails, the secondary control unit (110b) takes over communication.

Abstract: A system and method for directing a media stream includes a packet reader reading and correlating a packet with the media stream and readdressing the packet to a variable address associated with the media stream. The variable address may be changed in accordance with predefined criteria or in response to commands issued by the intended recipient of the packet.