Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method and system for providing a virtual interface between a router and a network, in which the router is not connected to the network using a local interface. A method and system in which a router may be dynamically decoupled from a first network and coupled to a second network, without losing state information associated with the coupling to either network. The router comprises a virtual interface to the network, at which state information for the physical interface to the network is recorded, and a binding between the virtual interface and a physical interface, the latter of which is coupled to the network. Dynamic binding of the virtual interface to the physical interface comprises an authentication step. A method and system in which a router can be dynamically coupled to one of a plurality of local networks of differing types, such as one local network using an ethernet technique and one local network using a token ring technique. The router comprises one virtual interface for each local network interface, a physical interface comprising a PC Card (PCMCIA card) controller, and one PC Card (PCMCIA card) network interface. A router is dynamically coupled to and decoupled from a set of networks sequentially, so that an administrator or an administrative program at the router may issue administrative and/or set-up commands to each of the networks. The administrative commands comprise configuration commands, so that an administrator may configure a plurality of networks from a single source location.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim