Patent ID: 6484210
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for providing link layer forwarding from a two-way adapter to a one-way adapter, wherein said one-way adapter receives data from a computer network via a first communication path, and said two-way adapter receives data from, and sends data to, a service provider of said computer network via a second communication path, comprising the steps of:monitoring a data packet received at a data link layer driver of said two-way adapter; determining whether said data packet is received from a higher protocol layer of said two-way adapter; providing said data packet for communication to said computer network via said service provider if said data packet is received from said higher protocol layer; providing said data packet from said data link layer driver of said two-way adapter to said higher protocol layer if said data packet is not received from said higher protocol layer and is not addressed to a network layer address of said one-way adapter; and forwarding said data packet from said data link layer driver of said two-way adapter to a packet processing relay agent if said data packet is not received from said higher protocol layer and is addressed to the network layer address of said one-way adapter; wherein: said packet processing relay agent is adapted to process said data packet forwarded thereto to provide at least one functional enhancement and forward said enhanced data packet to said data link layer driver of said one-way adapter.