Communication method for redirecting information to another port

• US 6,141,706 A
• Filed: 01/22/1999
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Xircom Incorporated (Intel Corporation)
• Inventors: Rosen, Robert, Henderson, Eric K., Thornton, Timothy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chaki, Kakali
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAM, TUAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US09/235,924
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 710/21, 710/28, 710/52, 710/62-65, 710/72, 710/2, 710/3, 717/11
• US Class Current: 710/21
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4416 Network booting; Remote initial program loading [RIPL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/90 Buffering arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/901 using storage descriptor, e.g. read or write pointers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors

Abstract

A method of bootstrapping executable code to a microprocessor controller from a personal computer (PC) via a bidirectional interface, e.g., a standard PC parallel port comprised of an external 25-pin D-shell connector. By bootstrapping its code from the PC, the microprocessor controller, which controls an adapter, e.g., a modem adapter, coupled to the PC is able to retrieve the most current version of the code stored in the PC.

Claims

1. A method of communicating between a computer and a switched network, the computer including a first port and a second port, the computer configured for operating responsive to communications software issuing I/O instructions to communicate information to the network through the first port, the method comprising:

intercepting information addressed to the first port;

reformatting the intercepted information to be compatible with the second port; and

redirecting the reformatted information to the second port for transmission to the switched network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first port has a first I/O address, and the second port has a second I/O address, such that information is redirected based on the I/O address for delivery of information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first port is a serial port and the second port is a parallel port.

4. A method of communicating between a computer and a network, said computer comprising a processor, operating in response to communication software issuing I/O instructions for communicating with the network, a first port having a first I/O address, and a second port having a second I/O address, said method comprising:

determining whether an issued I/O instruction references the first I/O address for communicating information to the network;

reformatting the information for compatibility with the second I/O port, if the issued I/O instruction references the first I/O address; and

directing the reformatted information to the second I/O port.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the communication software is a modem control software.

6. A method of communicating between a computer and a network, the computer comprising a processor operating in response to communication software issuing I/O instructions for communicating with the network, a first port, and a second port, the method comprising:

reformatting information intended for transmission from the first port to be compatible with the second I/O port if an issued I/O instruction references an I/O port within a designated address range; and

directing the reformatted information to the second I/O port.