Patent ID: 6185218
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
In a computing environment having a plurality of hosts, a method of establishing communication between a first initiating host and a second receiving host, said computing network environment also having at least one local area network, said method comprising the steps of:providing a gateway device and electronically connecting said gateway device to at least one initiating host, said host(s) being potentially associated with one or more local area networks;electronically connecting said gateway device also to at least one receiving destination host, said host(s) being potentially associated with one or more local area network(s);providing in said gateway device configuration information, information used for communication, information pertaining to functions supported by said gateway device, and information pertaining to functions provided by said gateway device for each host, as said information relates to said hosts and any of their potentially associated local area networks; andestablishing said gateway device as central point of communication between all hosts so that said destination host(s) can obtain all necessary information about said initiating host(s) directly via said gateway device without involving any of said potentially associated local area network(s).