Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of enabling user data packets to be forwarded from one local area network to another by a device which is capable of acting as a router to recognize and forward to and from end systems user data packets which conform to a first protocol suite and is capable of acting as a bridge to recognize and forward between networks user data packets which conform to at least a second protocol suite, said method comprising for a user data packet which conforms to said first protocol suite and is addressed to a single address which is not an address of the device, causing the device to act as a bridge rather than as a router.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of enabling user data packets to be forwarded from one local area network to another by a device which is capable of acting as a router to recognize and forward to and from end systems user data packets which conform to a first protocol suite and is capable of acting as a bridge to recognize and forward between networks user data packets which conform to at least a second protocol suite, said method comprising for a user data packet which conforms to said first protocol suite and is addressed to a single address which is not an address of the device, causing the device to act as a bridge rather than as a router.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first protocol suite comprises a TCP/IP protocol suite.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 further comprises causing said device to act as an IP router when forwarding IP packets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said second protocol suite comprises an OSI protocol suite.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
126 words
A device which is capable of acting as a router to forward to and from end systems user data packets and is capable of acting as a bridge to forward between networks user data packets, said device comprising router circuitry causing said device to act as a router recognizing and forwarding user data packets conforming to a first protocol suite, bridge circuitry causing said device to act as a bridge recognizing and forwarding user data packets conforming to at least a second protocol suite, control circuitry causing said device to act as a bridge rather than as a router for a user data packet which conforms to said first protocol suite and is addressed to a single address which is not an address of the device.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
126 words
A device which is capable of acting as a router to forward to and from end systems user data packets and is capable of acting as a bridge to forward between networks user data packets, said device comprising router circuitry causing said device to act as a router recognizing and forwarding user data packets conforming to a first protocol suite, bridge circuitry causing said device to act as a bridge recognizing and forwarding user data packets conforming to at least a second protocol suite, control circuitry causing said device to act as a bridge rather than as a router for a user data packet which conforms to said first protocol suite and is addressed to a single address which is not an address of the device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said first protocol suite comprises a TCP/IP protocol suite.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said router circuitry causes said device to act as an IP router when forwarding IP packets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said second protocol suite comprises an OSI protocol suite.