Patent ID: 7093030
Filing Date: 2006-08-15
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A network interface driver embodied in a processor readable medium comprising executable program instructions that incorporate a state machine having a plurality of states, wherein each state is associated with a plurality of threads and waited events, wherein the executable program instructions, when executed by a processor, independently process internetworking protocols for a host computer with another computer on a remote network, wherein the executable program instructions cause the processor to perform processing steps comprising: a. processing outgoing packets from an operating system associated with the host computer, in at least one of the plurality of states; b. processing incoming packets to an access network, in at least one of the plurality of states; and c. processing at least one of a plurality of time-out events in at least one of the plurality of states; wherein the processing steps are instant actions, comprising generating a new packet and sending the new packet to the operating system or the access network; dropping the packet received from the operating system or the access network; revising the content of the received packet and then sending received packet to the operating system or the access network; registering a time-out event with the operating system; and changing the state of the driver; wherein the driver is configured as a seven state machine, including: a Wait-Host-DHCP-Discover State; a Wait-Local-DHCP-Offer State; a Wait-Local-DHCP-Ack State; a Wait-Router-ARP-Reply State; a Wait-HA-Registration-Reply State; a Wait-Host-DHCP-Request State; and an Operating State.