Importance

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Abstract

A LAN interconnection apparatus is coupled through a first port to an ISDN and through a second port to a local area network (LAN). Through the ISDN, the apparatus is connected to a remote LAN or an ISDN user. A network address and a host address of an internetwork (such as the Internet) as well as a telephone number of the ISDN are used to uniquely identify remote LANs and ISDN users. A database is provided for associating network addresses with port numbers of the apparatus and associating host addresses with telephone numbers. Upon receipt of a call indication, the apparatus stores a source telephone number contained in the call indication into a lookup table. In response to a packet from the LAN, a port number and a telephone number are detected in the database using a network address and a host address contained in the packet, respectively, as keys. The received packet is then forwarded as a message packet to the port of the detected port number if the detected telephone number is stored in an entry of the lookup table corresponding to the detected port number. The detected telephone number is stored into the lookup table if that number is not stored in the lookup table and the received packet is then forwarded as a call setup packet to the port of the detected port number.

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First Claim