Method and apparatus for enabling a network interface to support multiple networks
US8447887B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 2012 |
| Grant date | May 21, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L45/02
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A network device comprises a host, including a device driver, and a network interface. The network interface includes a first media access controller, the first media access controller configured to, when activated, use a media access controller address for transferring data from the host to the first network, and transferring data from the first network to the host. A second media access controller is configured to, when activated, also use the media access controller address for transferring data from the host to the second network, and transferring data from the second network to the host. The device driver is configured to select either the first network or the second network for communication with the host, and the first media access controller or the second media access controller is respectively activated in response to the device driver selecting the first network or the second network.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.