Method and apparatus for communicating between a network workstation and an internet
US5867660A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L69/32
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for connecting a plurality of LAN workstations to the internet via an on-line server/interface that does not require a PC operating system dedicated to the server. The server operates in TCP/IP protocol for communication over the Internet. Only a single connection to the Internet is required in order to permit the entire LAN to operate simultaneously on the Internet. Specifically, only a single phone line is required to simultaneously serve all LAN workstations. The system is equally well suited to connect via a telephone line connection to an Internet providers's slip or PPP or via an Ethernet connection to a router or direct connection by any available means. The system does not disturb the native LAN protocol, while communicating via the internet protocol such as, by way of example, TCP/IP. The LAN is provided with a complete internet protocol service, supporting functions not generally available in the dedicated stacks previously provided for individual PCs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.