Method and apparatus for detecting the protocol used by an end station and negotiating a protocol used by the endpoint
First Claim
1. In a network including an end station, an intermediate device coupled to the end station, and a portion of a network coupled to the intermediate device, the end station and the intermediate device communicating through a link using a point-to-point protocol, the end station initially using a first lower layer protocol, the intermediate device being capable of translating between the first lower layer protocol initially used by the endstation and a second lower layer protocol used by the portion of a network, a method of automatically configuring the link, the method comprising:
- signaling the end station to use on the link a third lower layer protocol having a particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of a network;
if the end station changes to the third lower layer protocol having the particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of the network, then using on the link the third lower layer protocol having the particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of the network; and
if the end station does not change to the third lower layer protocol having the particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of the network, then using on the link the first lower layer protocol initially used by the end station.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method for improved configuration of a link between an end station and an intermediate device in a network. The intermediate device communicates through the link using a point-to-point protocol, and a lower layer protocol and is capable of translating between the lower layer protocol used by the link and a lower layer protocol used by a portion of the network. The intermediate device detects the lower layer protocol used by the end station and configures the link to use the point-to-point protocol, the lower layer protocol used by the end station, and an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) protocol. A method including signaling the end station to use on the link a lower layer protocol having a particular relationship with the lower layer protocol used by the portion of the network. The particular relationship, according to an aspect of the invention, is that the protocol that the end station is signaled to use is the same as the protocol used by the portion of the network thereby creating efficiencies in transmission from the end station through the intermediate device onto the network.
-
Citations
90 Claims
-
1. In a network including an end station, an intermediate device coupled to the end station, and a portion of a network coupled to the intermediate device, the end station and the intermediate device communicating through a link using a point-to-point protocol, the end station initially using a first lower layer protocol, the intermediate device being capable of translating between the first lower layer protocol initially used by the endstation and a second lower layer protocol used by the portion of a network, a method of automatically configuring the link, the method comprising:
-
signaling the end station to use on the link a third lower layer protocol having a particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of a network; if the end station changes to the third lower layer protocol having the particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of the network, then using on the link the third lower layer protocol having the particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of the network; and if the end station does not change to the third lower layer protocol having the particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of the network, then using on the link the first lower layer protocol initially used by the end station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. In a network including a first end station, an intermediate device coupled to the end station, and a portion of a network coupled to the intermediate device, the end station and the intermediate device communicating through a link using a point-to-point protocol and a first lower layer protocol, the intermediate device being capable of translating between the first lower layer protocol used by the link and a second lower layer protocol used by the portion of a network, a method of automatically configuring the link, the method comprising:
-
at the intermediate device detecting the first lower layer protocol used by the end station; and configuring the link to use the point-to-point protocol, the first lower layer protocol used by the end station, and an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) protocol; signaling the end station to use on the link a third lower layer protocol having a particular relationship with the third lower layer protocol used by the portion of a network. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
-
-
47. In a network including a first end station, an intermediate device coupled to the end station, and a portion of a network coupled to the intermediate device, the end station and the intermediate device communicating through a link using a point-to-point protocol, the end station initially using a first lower layer protocol, the intermediate device being capable of translating between the first lower layer protocol initially used by the link and a second lower layer protocol used by the portion of a network, a method of automatically configuring the link, the method comprising:
-
at the intermediate device detecting the first lower layer protocol initially used by the end station; and if the first lower layer protocol initially used by the end station has a particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of a network, then using on the link the first lower layer protocol initially used by the end station, else signaling the end station to use on the link a third lower layer protocol having a particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of a network, if the end station changes to the third lower layer protocol, then using on the link the third lower layer protocol, and if the end station does not change to the third lower layer protocol, then using on the link the first lower layer protocol initially used by the end station. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73)
-
-
74. An access multiplexer in a central office for providing a connection between a portion of a network and a link to an end station, the link using a first lower layer protocol, the access multiplexer comprising a module that
translates between the first lower layer protocol used by the link and a second lower layer protocol used by the portion of the network; -
signals the end station to use on the link a third lower layer protocol having a particular relationship with the second lower layer protocol used by the portion of the network; if the end station changes to the third lower layer protocol, then using on the link the third lower layer protocol; and if the end station does not change to the third lower layer protocol, then using on the link the first lower layer protocol initially used by the end station. - View Dependent Claims (75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90)
-
Specification