Dynamic wan port detection
First Claim
1. A method for automatically detecting a wide area network (WAN) communication connection to a communication port of an electronic device that includes a plurality of substantially equivalent communication ports, comprising the steps of:
- (a) detecting an initiation event on a selected communication port of the plurality of substantially equivalent communication ports, where the selected communication port is arbitrarily chosen by a user;
(b) automatically attempting to access a WAN through the selected communication port, in response to the initiation event;
(c) determining whether the attempt to access the WAN through the selected communication port was successful; and
(d) setting the selected communication port as the WAN communication connection if the attempt was successful.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for automatically detecting a wide area network (WAN) communication connection to a selected one of a plurality of substantially equivalent communication ports. An initiation event, such as a link detect or a power on event, is detected for the selected port. An attempt is then made to access the WAN through the selected port. For example, an Internet connection request may be sent through the selected port. If a response is received through the selected port, the response is evaluated to determine if the attempt to access the WAN was successful. If the attempt was successful, the selected port is set as the WAN communication connection. Otherwise, the selected port is set as a local area network communication connection. Preferably, the dynamic WAN port detection is performed by a network device, such as a gateway, or by a computer in communication with a network device.
78 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for automatically detecting a wide area network (WAN) communication connection to a communication port of an electronic device that includes a plurality of substantially equivalent communication ports, comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting an initiation event on a selected communication port of the plurality of substantially equivalent communication ports, where the selected communication port is arbitrarily chosen by a user;
(b) automatically attempting to access a WAN through the selected communication port, in response to the initiation event;
(c) determining whether the attempt to access the WAN through the selected communication port was successful; and
(d) setting the selected communication port as the WAN communication connection if the attempt was successful. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for automatically detecting a wide area network (WAN) communication connection in an electronic device, comprising:
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(a) a processor;
(b) a plurality of substantially equivalent communication ports, each in communication with the processor;
(c) a memory in communication with the processor and storing machine instructions, said machine instructions causing the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including;
(i) detecting an initiation event on a selected communication port of the plurality of substantially equivalent communication ports;
(ii) attempting to access a WAN through the selected communication port, in response to the initiation event;
(iii) determining whether the attempt to access the WAN through the selected communication port was successful; and
(iv) setting the selected communication port as the WAN communication connection if the attempt was successful. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification