Patent ID: 6016388
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: H04B,H04L

Abstract:
A device for use with an apparatus comprising (a) a port for connecting the apparatus to the internet via a modem and an internet service provider, wherein the apparatus has an IP address which is associated with connection to the internet via the port, (b) an interface for connecting the apparatus to a link having a higher speed than the modem, wherein the apparatus has another IP address which is associated with the interface, and (c) means for generating a request from the apparatus to a destination apparatus on the internet, the request comprising an IP packet wherein the source IP address is the IP address associated with the interface and the destination IP address is the IP address of the destination apparatus on the internet, said device comprising:a driver for encapsulating the IP packet of the request in an encapsulating IP packet wherein the source IP address is the IP address associated with connection to the internet via the port and the destination address is the IP address of a gateway apparatus which is coupled with both the internet and the link, and for transmitting the encapsulating IP packet to the gateway apparatus by way of the port and the internet service provider, wherein the gateway apparatus unencapsulates the IP packet of the request from the encapsulating IP packet and transmits the IP packet of the request to the destination apparatus on the internet which replies to the IP address associated with the interface via the gateway apparatus and the link.