Patent ID: 7761604
Filing Date: 2010-07-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of bridging first and second networks, the first network coupled to a first computer via a first network adapter in the first computer, and the second network coupled to a second computer via a second network adapter in the second computer, and wherein the first network is an isolated network and the first network adapter is an isolated network adapter, the method comprising, in the second computer: detecting a first network frame communicated by the first computer over the first network by detecting a media access control (MAC) address for the first network frame that is associated with the first network adapter; forwarding the first network frame to the second network using the second network adapter such that a source MAC address for the first network frame identifies the first network adapter as a source of the first network frame; receiving a second network frame from the second network via the second network adapter, wherein the second network frame is addressed to the MAC address associated with the first network adapter; and forwarding the second network frame to the first network; wherein detecting the first network frame is performed by a device driver for a third network adapter coupled to the first network, and wherein forwarding the first network frame to the second network comprises passing the first network frame from the device driver for the third network adapter to a device driver for the second network adapter, and transmitting the first network frame to the second network using the third second network adapter.