Patent ID: 6763018
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method of distributing protocol processing and packet forwarding in a network access server, said network access server providing simultaneous access to a packet switched network for a plurality of remote terminals connected to a communications network, said network access server comprising an egress module providing an interface to said packet switched network, comprising:a) providing a tunneling protocol node function in a modem module in said network access server, b) providing a distributed forwarding module in said modem module, and c) providing a tunneling protocol node function in a route server in said network access server as a peer to said tunneling protocol node function in said modem module, said tunneling protocol node functions in said modem and route server comprising endpoints of a logical tunnel between said modem module and said route server; d) wherein said modem module tunnels Internet Protocol or Internet Protocol Exchange routing and Point-to-Point Protocol control packets to said route server for processing by said route server; and e) wherein said distributed forwarding module performs packet forwarding for a plurality of incoming frames of data from said communications network and forwards data in said frames to said egress module for transmission on said packet switched network.