Patent ID: 6272551
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A network adaptor enabling a host device to transmit network packets configured in accordance with a first network communication protocol over a power line network that operates in accordance with a second network communication protocol, the network adaptor comprising:a first interface for exchanging network packets with a host device over a first communications link between said first interface and a parallel port of the host device, the network packets being configured in accordance with the first network communication protocol;a second interface for exchanging network packets with a power line network infrastructure over a second communications link, the power line network operating in accordance with the second network communication protocol different from the first network communication protocol; anda network packet translation module coupled to said first and second interfaces, the network packet translation module being configured to translate network packets between the first and second network communication protocols by selectively encapsulating a network packet compliant with the first network communication protocol within a data structure compliant with the second network communication protocol, or decapsulating a network packet compliant with the first network communication protocol from within a data structure compliant with the second network communication protocol.