Abstract:
The present invention facilitates communications between a first network and a second network using an information routing device having an auto-configuration feature. The auto-configuration feature negotiates what authentication protocol will be used when the networks transfer information. Once the authentication protocol is negotiated by the device, the device intercepts and stores information transferred between networks. In this manner, the device can emulate a first network when coupled to a second network by providing the necessary stored information directly to the second network, and vice versa.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for facilitating communications between a plurality of networks, such as an internet service provider and a personal computer. More particularly, the apparatus of the present invention uses an auto-configuration feature that intercepts and stores network authentication information by emulating a first network when interrogating a second network. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The Internet is a vast, globe-spanning, collection of interconnected computer networks and the associated programs, protocols, and standards that enable these computers to communicate with each other. The World Wide Web (“web”), a popular application of the Internet, relies on a combination of various protocols and standards to make vast collections of digital content accessible via the Internet. 
   The globe-spanning nature of the Internet lets a user contact any computer connected to the Internet from any other computer connected to the Internet. This fundamental property of the Internet, combined with the ease of publishing content on the web, is largely responsible for the explosive growth of the Internet as a medium of communication. 
   An Internet service provider (ISP) is a company that provides individuals and other companies access to the Internet and other related services. An ISP has the equipment and the telecommunication line access required to have a point-of-presence on the Internet for the geographic area served. A dial-up Internet connection may be initiated between an ISP and a personal computer (PC) when the PC user provides the correct username and password to the ISP. 
   A point-to-point protocol (PPP) connection typically is used to establish a connection between an ISP and a personal computer (PC). Essentially, a PPP packages a computer&#39;s internet protocol (IP) packets and forwards them to the server where they can be put on the Internet. Before establishing communications over a point-to-point link, each end of the PPP link must send out link control protocol (LCP) packets. LCP packets either accept or reject the identity of the peer computer based on criteria such as common configurations and packet size limits. 
   Once the LCP packets accept the link, traffic can be transported on the network. To gain Internet access, the PC will send a request to the ISP, and the ISP then will challenge the PC to provide the correct username and password. Various authentication protocols may be used to ensure that the correct information has been provided to the ISP. Once the username and password have been authenticated, the ISP allows the user access to the Internet. Generally, the username and password must be provided to the ISP to establish a connection between the user&#39;s PC and the ISP. 
   A drawback associated with having to provide a username and password when challenged by the ISP is that a PC user is burdened by having to enter that identification information, which may increase the time and effort required on the part of the PC user. Another drawback associated with having to provide network identification information when challenged by the ISP is that multiple PC users in a local area network (LAN) may be denied access to the Internet because they do not know the master username and password. Although this may be an advantageous security feature in some settings, it may be desirable to share the Internet access through one ISP account, for example, in a house having three computers. 
   In view of these disadvantages it would be desirable to provide a device that facilitates information transfer between networks by automatically providing a first network with information when the first network requests that information from a second network. 
   It further would be desirable to provide a device that can intercept and store network authentication information by emulating a first network when coupled to a second network, and can emulate a second network when coupled to a first network. 
   It also would be desirable to provide a device that can emulate an ISP and interrogate a PC, so the device can obtain network authentication information without having had that information initially. 
   It also would be desirable to provide a device that can emulate a PC by automatically providing network authentication information to an ISP without having the PC user enter that information. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this invention to provide a device that facilitates information transfer between networks by automatically providing a first network with information when the first network requests that information from a second network. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can intercept and store network authentication information by emulating a first network when coupled to a second network, and can emulate a second network when coupled to a first network. 
   It is also an object of this invention to provide a device that can emulate an ISP and interrogate a PC, so the device can obtain network authentication information without having had that information initially. 
   It is yet another object of this invention to provide a device that can emulate a PC by automatically providing network authentication information to an ISP without having the PC user enter that information. 
   These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing a device having an auto-configuration feature that may receive and transmit communications between a first network and a second network. The device is configured to intercept and store network authentication information without user intervention. 
   In a preferred embodiment, a device constructed in accordance with principles of the present invention is configured to be interposed between a single computer or local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network (“WAN”), such as the Internet, and intercepts and stores network authentication information required for the LAN to communicate with the WAN. It does this by emulating the WAN, and attempting to negotiate a communication protocol between itself and the LAN that results in the provision of unencrypted network identification and authentication information to the device. That information is stored in the device for subsequent use, in which the device then emulates the single computer or LAN in communicating with the WAN. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the auto-configuration device comprises a first port that communicates with an internet service provider (ISP) and a second port that communicates with a local area network (LAN) having at least one client computer. When an ISP issues a challenge message to the client computer that is requesting access, the client computer provides the requested information, e.g., username and password. When the auto-configuration device is placed between the ISP and the client computer, the auto-configuration device intercepts the response containing the username and password, which may be encrypted. Software algorithms of the auto-configuration device cause the device to negotiate with the client computer regarding the authentication protocol to be used in the transfer of information. The software algorithms then cause the client computer to communicate in a selected authentication protocol, preferably password authentication protocol (PAP), which is not encrypted. 
   Once the auto-configuration device negotiates with the client computer to send the information using an unencrypted protocol, the auto-configuration device intercepts the username and password, and records that unencrypted information. The auto-configuration device then forwards that information in a defined encrypted protocol to the ISP. When the ISP receives the correct information in the encrypted protocol, it will allow the user access to the Internet. 
   Advantageously, the next time that the ISP issues a challenge message to a client computer requesting Internet access, the auto-configuration device intercepts the communication and automatically provides the ISP with the requested information that previously has been captured and stored. 
   In this manner, the auto-configuration device of the present invention emulates a second network (the LAN) when interrogated by a first network. For example, when the ISP issues the challenge asking for the username and password, the auto-configuration device will emulate the PC user by automatically providing the ISP with the stored username and password. The auto-configuration device also emulates the first network (the ISP) when negotiating use of a protocol that permits the device to intercept and store the network identification and authentication information from the second network. 
   The auto-configuration device of the present invention similarly may be used to facilitate information transfer between other networks, such as wireless networks, by negotiating the authentication protocols to be used by the networks in communicating with the device, then storing transferred information and automatically providing the stored information at a later time. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic depicting communications between the auto-configuration device of the present invention and a first and second network; 
       FIG. 2  describes a hierarchy of known authentication protocols; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic depicting a method by which the auto-configuration device of the present invention negotiates which authentication protocol will be used; 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic depicting the auto-configuration device of the present invention being used in conjunction with a cable modem; and 
       FIG. 5  describes a method for using the device of the present invention to facilitate the transfer of information between two networks. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a device that facilitates the transfer of information between a plurality of networks. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the software algorithms of the device cause the device to emulate a first network when coupled to a second network, and further emulate the second network when coupled to the first network. This allows the first and second networks to communicate with the auto-configuration device without having to communicate directly with each other. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises auto-configuration device  10  having at least one microprocessor and programmed software algorithm stored within a memory in a housing. Auto-configuration device  10  preferably is coupled at first port  16  to transmitter  20  that communicates with a first network, for example, Internet Service Provider (ISP)  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , transmitter  20  may be a dial-up modem, cable modem, Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), or other means known in the art suitable for transmitting digital information. 
   Auto-configuration device  10  preferably is coupled at second port  17  to local area network (LAN)  13 . One or more client machines  14  are attached to LAN  13  and may communicate with auto-configuration device  10 . As described in detail in  FIG. 3  hereinbelow, auto-configuration device  10  is configured to emulate any one of client machines  14  when interrogated by ISP  12  by automatically providing ISP  12  with information that has been requested. For example, auto-configuration device  10  may automatically provide ISP  12  with a username and password, without requiring the users of client machines  14   a – 14   c  to enter such information. 
   It should be appreciated that although  FIG. 1  describes an Internet application, auto-configuration device  10  may be used in conjunction with other networks, such as wireless networks. For use with wireless networks, transmitter  20  and ports  16  and  17  may be omitted and a wireless means, e.g., radio signals, may be used to transmit communications between the wireless networks and auto-configuration device  10 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a hierarchy of different authentication protocols for transferring information between two networks is described. The authentication protocols shown in  FIG. 2  range from the most secure protocol, burst mode protocol (BMP), at the top of the hierarchy to the least secure, password authentication protocol (PAP), at the bottom. The authenticating features associated with BMP comprise the most secure encryption in the hierarchy, while PAP authentication is not encrypted. 
   To enable communications between a first and second network using any of the authentication protocols described in  FIG. 2 , a compatible connection must be established. A compatible connection between networks is achieved using Link Control Protocol (LCP), which establishes, configures, and tests data-link Internet connections. Before establishing communications over a point-to-point (PPP) link, each end of the PPP link must send out LCP packets. The LCP packet either accepts or rejects the identity of its linked peer, agrees upon packet size limits, and looks for common misconfiguration errors. Once the LCP packet accepts the link, traffic can be transported on the network. For example, in  FIG. 2 , server PPP (PPP s ) of ISP  12  sends LCP packets to client PPP (PPP c ) of client computer  14 . PPP c  then sends LCP packets back to PPP s , and if client computer  14  and ISP  12  are compatible then a connection may be established. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a method by which auto-configuration device  10  of the present invention can be used to emulate at least one client computer  14  is described. In a first step of authentication, the user of one of client computers  14 , for example, computer  14   c , sends a request to connect to ISP  12 . PPP s  of ISP  12  then sends a “challenge” message to client computer  14   c , asking for a username and password. This challenge message is represented by message  1   a  in  FIG. 3 , and may be sent using any one of the authentication protocols described in  FIG. 2 . Generally, ISP  12  initially requests the username and password in the most secure manner, i.e., using BMP for authentication. 
   When auto-configuration device  10  is placed between ISP  12  and LAN  13  as shown in  FIG. 3 , auto-configuration device  10  forwards challenge message  1   a  to client computer  14   c . Client computer  14   c  then is prompted to provide the information requested by ISP  12 , e.g., username and password, which may be stored in the computer&#39;s memory. Client computer  14   c  provides the information requested by the challenge message by sending response  1   b  back to ISP  12 . 
   In accordance with the principle of the present invention, however, auto-configuration device  10  intercepts response  1   b  from client computer  14   c . Specifically, auto-configuration device  10  emulates PPP s  of ISP  12  by having at least one software algorithm that negotiates the authentication protocol to communicate with client computer  14   c . For example, if response  1   b  is sent from client computer  14   c  to auto-configuration device  10  in LCP packets using BMP, auto-configuration device  10  will emulate PPP s  of ISP  12  by relaying communication  2   a  back to PPP c  of client computer  14   c  indicating that communications using BMP are not compatible with PPP s . In effect, auto-configuration device  10  signals to client computer  14   c  that it cannot support communications in BMP, and therefore no communications in BMP are established between PPP c  and PPP s . 
   As described hereinabove, PPP s  and PPP c  will only be able to communicate with each other when the Link Control Protocol (LCP) accepts the identity of its linked peer and establishes that there are no misconfiguration errors. If one peer does not recognize the protocol of its linked peer, e.g., because the protocol is highly encrypted, that peer will request to use a less encrypted protocol for communication. 
   After auto-configuration device  10  sends response  2   a  indicating that it does not support communications associated with BMP, client computer  14   c  will subsequently send response  2   b  trying to establish communications in a different authentication protocol. For example, response  2   b  may attempt to establish communications using MSCHAP2 or MSCHAP1, which has a lower level of encryption than BMP. Auto-configuration device  10  similarly intercepts communication  2   b  from client computer  14   c  and emulates PPP s  of ISP  12 . The software algorithms of auto-configuration device  10  cause the device to send LCP packets  3   a  back to client computer  14   c , indicating that communications between PPP s  and PPP c  cannot be supported in MSCHAP2 or MSCHAP1 protocol. Client computer  14   c  then will send response  3   b  in LCP packets to try to establish communications in a protocol having a lower level of encryption, such as CHAP. Auto-configuration device  10  similarly will respond in LCP packets  4   a , emulating PPP s  of ISP  12 , that it does not support communications in CHAP. 
   Finally, client computer  14   c  will send response  4   b  in LCP packets using PAP, which is not encrypted. The software algorithms of auto-configuration device  10  accept and record this unencrypted information provided by client computer  14   c . After recording the username and password, auto-configuration device  10  then requests to connect back to ISP  12 . Auto-configuration device  10  then relays the username and password to ISP  12  in BMP or the highest encrypted level supported, as shown by communication  5  in  FIG. 3 . 
   Auto-configuration device  10  may perform the negotiations to intercept the identification information from client computer  14   c  while a connection with ISP  12  is maintained, i.e., while ISP  12  is waiting to receive communications from device  10 . Alternatively, auto-configuration device  10  may intercept identification information from client computer  14   c  in the above-described manner even when device  10  is completely de-coupled from ISP  12 , or no attempt has yet been made to establish a connection with ISP  12 . 
   After the username and password have been stored for the first time in auto-configuration device  10 , any client computer  14  within LAN  13  may access the Internet without being asked for a username and password. When a subsequent user in LAN  13  desires to access the Internet, ISP  12  will issue another challenge message requesting the username and password. Auto-configuration device  10  then automatically sends ISP  12  the stored username and password in BMP or the highest encryption level supported. In this respect, auto-configuration device  10  can emulate one or more client computers  14  when interrogated by ISP  12 . 
   Auto-configuration device  10  also preferably serves as a router by keeping track of which computer  14  within LAN  13  is communicating with ISP  12 , and by sharing the Internet connection between multiple PCs  14   a – 14   c.    
   It should be noted that the line between ISP  12  and auto-configuration device  10 , if initially requested, may be dropped for a period of time after ISP  12  issues challenge message  1   a  to client computer  14   c . As noted hereinabove, as an alternative, no request for a connection need have been made to ISP  12 . The authentication protocol negotiations between auto-configuration device  10  and client computer  14   c  may occur without a connection to ISP  12 . Once auto-configuration device  10  has recorded the unencrypted information from client computer  14   c , then auto-configuration device  10  will initiate a subsequent request to ISP  12 , on behalf of client computer  14   c , to connect for Internet access. Once that subsequent connection is made, auto-configuration device provides the recorded information to ISP  12  using the highest encryption level supported. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a method for using auto-configuration device  50  in conjunction with a cable modem is described. Cable modem  60  uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). In accordance with DHCP protocol, a client computer (DHCP c ) issues a request that includes embedded within it an unencrypted Host ID and domain name. When the ISP receives and authenticates the request, the DHCP server (DHCP s ) then assigns an IP address and gateway server information to DHCP c . 
   In accordance with principles of the present invention, auto-configuration device  50  captures the unencrypted Host ID and domain name from the request sent by DHCP c . Device  50  then generates a DHCP c  request to the ISP that includes the Host ID and domain name. Device  50  also stores the Host ID and domain name locally. When the ISP receives the request, the DHCP s  assigns an IP address and gateway server information to device  50 . In accordance with the methods of the present invention, in the foregoing method the auto-configuration device  50  acts as DHCP s  to client computers  54  of LAN  53 , and auto-configuration device  50  further acts as DHCP c  to ISP  52 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , a method for using the auto-configuration device of the present invention in conjunction with network identification is described. In  FIG. 5 , auto-configuration device  100  provided in accordance with the present invention is adapted to receive signals transmitted between first and second networks  103  and  105 . First network  103  comprises IP security computer  104  having network identification features associated with first network  103 , while second network  105  comprises IP security computer  106  having network identification features associated with second network  105 . In  FIG. 5 , for example, first network  103  may be analogous to a human resources department of a company, while second network  105  may be analogous to the accounting department of the same company. 
   Communications between first network  103  and second network  105  are regulated by IP security computers  104  and  106 . Auto-configuration device  100 , preferably containing software algorithms as described in  FIG. 3 , receives communications transmitted between IP security computers  104  and  106 . The algorithms of auto-configuration device  100  cause IP security computers  104  and  106  to communicate with device  100  using PAP the first time so that auto-configuration device  100  can record the unencrypted network identification information of each computer. Thereafter, each time IP security computers  104  and  106  communicate, auto-configuration device  10  automatically provides the stored information in BMP, or the highest supported encryption level. 
   Advantageously, when a computer of first network  103  requests to communicate with second network auto-configuration device  100  receives the request and automatically provides IP security computer  106  with the required information using the highest supported encryption level. This facilitates a fast connection between networks  103  and  105 , and enhances CPU performance of IP security computers  104  and  106  because they will no longer require a lengthy decryption process to enable communications. 
   One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. It is intended that the present application cover such variations or modifications as may be apparent from the described embodiment as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.