A ROUTING METHOD AND SYSTEM USING AN INTERNET PROTOCOL

Routing methods, using an Internet protocol, which allows free alteration of the connection of a terminal between subnetworks such as local area networks (LANs) without necessitating modification of IP (Internet Protocol) addresses. The subnetworks are unified to constitute a network by a plurality of routers and each router is provided with a table which stores information according to every router indicating terminal addresses and times of connection to the network for every terminal included within the network. When a terminal is connected to any one of the subnetworks, the router corresponding to that subnetwork both updates the content of the table incorporated in that router and communicates to other routers the address and connection time of the connected terminal by means of a subscriber signal. A router which receives the subscriber signal updates the table incorporated in that router based on the results of comparing the connection time within the subscriber signal with the connection time within its own table.