Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus, and accompanying methods for use therein, for an ISDN LAN modem (300) (and various aspects thereof) that is particularly, though not exclusively, suited for small user environments and which contains an internal ISDN router (305) having a self-contained network hub (340) for inter-connecting multiple network devices, such as workstations (10), to each other through a local area network (LAN) and for permitting each of those devices to each gain access through the router to any one of a number of different remote networks. Advantageously, to facilitate and simplify its configuration, the LAN modem automatically adapts itself to a current network environment of a workstation connected thereto, via the LAN, and then communicates with that workstation through a browser executing thereat to obtain configuration information from a user situated at the workstation. Additionally, the LAN modem, through use of a multi-tiered routing hierarchy including both destination- and source-based routing, accommodates several modalities of network communication not heretofore possible in a conventional router. Specifically, several different workstations can simultaneously communicate through the LAN modem with a common remote network (60) and share a single user account at a corresponding network service provider.

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First Claim