Cable modem interface unit for capturing and processing incoming packets from a cable modem
First Claim
1. A cable modem interface unit positioned between a cable modem and a network driver interface layer, wherein the cable modem receives packets from a packet source, said interface unit comprising:
- a control packet filter having an input coupled to the cable modem to receive a packet from the cable modem, and having a control packet output and a data packet output;
a receive unit having an input coupled to said data packet output of said control packet filter and an output coupled to the network driver interface layer, said receive unit receiving a data packet from said control packet filter and sending the data packet to the network driver interface layer; and
a protocol handler having an input coupled to said control packet output of said control packet filter, said protocol handler receiving a control packet from said control packet filter;
wherein said protocol handler sends a first acknowledgment signal to the cable modem when it receives the control packet and processes the received control packet; and
wherein said network driver interface layer sends a second acknowledgment signal when the network driver interface layer receives the data packet from said receive unit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cable modem interface unit is positioned between a cable modem and a network driver interface layer. The cable modem receives packets from a packet source. The interface unit includes a control packet filter coupled to the modem. The control packet filter receives a packet from the cable modem and determines whether the packet is a control packet or a data packet. The interface unit further includes a receive unit coupled to the control packet and the network driver interface layer. If the control packet filter determines that the packet is a data packet, the receive unit receives the packet from the control packet filter and sends the packet to the network driver interface layer. The interface unit further includes a protocol handler coupled to the receive unit. If the control packet filter determines that the packet is a control packet, the protocol handler receives the packet from the control packet filter.
58 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A cable modem interface unit positioned between a cable modem and a network driver interface layer, wherein the cable modem receives packets from a packet source, said interface unit comprising:
-
a control packet filter having an input coupled to the cable modem to receive a packet from the cable modem, and having a control packet output and a data packet output; a receive unit having an input coupled to said data packet output of said control packet filter and an output coupled to the network driver interface layer, said receive unit receiving a data packet from said control packet filter and sending the data packet to the network driver interface layer; and a protocol handler having an input coupled to said control packet output of said control packet filter, said protocol handler receiving a control packet from said control packet filter; wherein said protocol handler sends a first acknowledgment signal to the cable modem when it receives the control packet and processes the received control packet; and wherein said network driver interface layer sends a second acknowledgment signal when the network driver interface layer receives the data packet from said receive unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method of operating a cable modem interface unit, wherein the cable modem interface unit is coupled to a cable modem and a network driver interface layer, and the cable modem receives packets from a packet source, said method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) receiving a packet from the cable modem; (b) determining whether the packet is a control packet; (c) sending the packet to the network driver interface layer if at step (b) the packet is determined to be a control packet; (d) processing the packet if at step (b) the packet is determined to be a control packet; (e) sending a first acknowledgment signal to the cable modem if at step (b) the packet is determined to be a control packet; and (f) receiving a second acknowledgment signal from the network driver interface layer if the packet is sent to the network driver interface layer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A computer system for receiving packets from a packet source, said computer system comprising:
-
(a) a processor; (b) a cable modem coupled to said processor and adapted to receive a packet from the packet source; (c) a memory coupled to said processor; (d) a first sequence of instructions stored on said memory which, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to function as a network driver interface layer; and (e) a second sequence of instructions stored on said memory which, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to function as a cable modem interface unit, said cable modem interface unit comprising; (i) a control packet filter having an input coupled to the cable modem to receive a packet from the cable modem, and having a control packet output and a data packet output; (ii) a receive unit having an input coupled to said data packet output of said control packet filter and an output coupled to the network driver interface layer, said receive unit receiving a data packet from said control packet filter and sending the data packet to the network driver interface layer; and (iii) a protocol handler having an input coupled to said control packet output of said control packet filter, said protocol handler receiving a control packet from said control packet filter. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps for operating a cable modem interface unit, wherein the cable modem interface unit is coupled to a cable modem and a network driver interface layer, and the cable modem receives packets from a packet source, said steps comprising:
-
(a) receiving a packet from the cable modem; (b) determining whether the packet is a control packet; (c) sending the packet to the network driver interface layer if at step (b) the packet is determined to be a control packet; and (d) processing the packet if at step (b) the packet is determined to be a control packet; (e) sending a first acknowledgment signal to the cable modem if at step (b) the packet is determined to be a control packet; and (f) receiving a second acknowledgment signal from the network driver interface layer if the packet is sent to the network driver interface layer. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
Specification