Patent ID: 7590144

Claim:
A premises network router apparatus adapted for use in a cable network, comprising: a first signal interface adapted to communicate with an external cable network, said first interface having a first protocol stack adapted to receive signals from an entity coupled to said external cable network according to a first protocol, and to extract a first portion of said signals which are encoded according to an internet protocol; a second signal interface having a second protocol stack, said second interface being adapted to communicate with a local coaxial cable network having a computerized device coupled thereto, and transfer said portion of said signals to said computerized device, said computerized device being able to communicate via said internet protocol; and an address translator adapted to translate a first address associated with said router apparatus on said external cable network to a second address associated with said local coaxial cable network, said second address being used to deliver said portion of signals to said computerized device; wherein said router apparatus is further adapted to deliver a second portion of said signals not encoded according to said internet protocol to apparatus operatively coupled to said local coaxial cable network; and wherein said apparatus is configured to boot up in a sequence comprising: booting up said second signal interface first; generating a downstream transmission channel; connecting to at least one access point; assigning an address to said at least one access point; and booting up said first signal interface, said first signal interface designed to loop continually seeking a signal on said external cable network; and if signal is found on said external cable network, then acquiring an address, and if no signal is found on said external cable network, then acquiring an address from a user via an on-screen display.