Integrated apparatus for interfacing several computers to the internet through a single connection
First Claim
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1. A data communication device and software that enables a first personal computer to communicate with a wide area network and a local area network, the data communication device and software comprising:
- a card configured to be plugged into a standard interface slot of the first personal computer;
interface circuitry disposed on the card, the interface circuitry connecting the card to the first personal computer to enable data communication between the card and the first personal computer;
modem circuitry disposed on the card and coupled to the interface circuitry, the modem circuitry enabling data communication between the first personal computer and the wide area network;
network interface controller circuitry disposed on the card and coupled to the interface circuitry, the network interface controller circuitry enabling data communication between the first personal computer and the local area network;
network hub circuitry disposed on the card and coupled to the network interface controller circuitry, the network hub circuitry interconnecting the card and the local area network,proxy server software adapted to execute on the first computer to route data between the first personal computer, the local area network, and the wide area network; and
a programmed setup routine adapted to execute on the first personal computer to configure the first personal computer, the interface circuitry, the modem circuitry, the network interface controller circuitry, and the proxy server software.
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Abstract
A plug-in card for use with a personal computer is disclosed, which provides a combination of a modem, a network interface, and a network hub. The card permits the personal computer to share a single connection to a wide area network, such as the Internet with other computers which are connected to the network hub on the card. Integration of a modem, network interface, and network hub onto a single plug-in card provides cost savings, and improved ease of setup and use.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A data communication device and software that enables a first personal computer to communicate with a wide area network and a local area network, the data communication device and software comprising:
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a card configured to be plugged into a standard interface slot of the first personal computer; interface circuitry disposed on the card, the interface circuitry connecting the card to the first personal computer to enable data communication between the card and the first personal computer; modem circuitry disposed on the card and coupled to the interface circuitry, the modem circuitry enabling data communication between the first personal computer and the wide area network; network interface controller circuitry disposed on the card and coupled to the interface circuitry, the network interface controller circuitry enabling data communication between the first personal computer and the local area network; network hub circuitry disposed on the card and coupled to the network interface controller circuitry, the network hub circuitry interconnecting the card and the local area network, proxy server software adapted to execute on the first computer to route data between the first personal computer, the local area network, and the wide area network; and a programmed setup routine adapted to execute on the first personal computer to configure the first personal computer, the interface circuitry, the modem circuitry, the network interface controller circuitry, and the proxy server software. - 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)
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24. A method of providing Internet access to a plurality of personal computers in a small office or home office environment, the method comprising steps of:
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providing a card comprising a network interface controller, a modem, and a network hub, the card configured to be installed in a first one of the plurality of personal computers; attaching additional ones of the plurality of personal computers to the network hub on the card; executing a setup program on the first one of the plurality of personal computers, the setup program configuring the first one of the plurality of personal computers and the network interface controller and modem on the card, and installing and configuring proxy server software on the first one of the plurality of personal computers; establishing a connection to the Internet through the modem on the card; and executing the proxy server software on the first one of the plurality of personal computers to route data between the Internet and the plurality of personal computers. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification