Patent ID: 6108350
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: H04L,H04M

Abstract:
In a network including an end station, an intermediate device coupled to the end station, and a portion of a network coupled to the intermediate device, the end station and the intermediate device communicating through a link using a point-to-point protocol, the end station initially using a first lower layer protocol, the intermediate device being capable of translating between the first lower layer protocol initially used by the endstation and a second lower layer protocol used by the portion of a network, a method of automatically configuring the link, the method comprising:signaling the end station to use on the link a third lower layer protocol having a particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of a network;if the end station changes to the third lower layer protocol having the particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of the network, then using on the link the third lower layer protocol having the particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of the network; andif the end station does not change to the third lower layer protocol having the particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of the network, then using on the link the first lower layer protocol initially used by the end station.