Internet protocol assists for high performance LAN connections

Claim 1

In a computing network environment having a gateway device, said gateway device being electronically connected to at least one initiating host and at least one receiving host, an apparatus for dynamically configuring and monitoring hosts electronically connected to said gateway device comprising: a handshaking component for determining IP address and other information obtainable about hosts initially electronically connected to said gateway device; a port-sharing table accessible to said gateway device for storing information obtained through said handshaking component; said gateway device having means for checking a host connection to ensure connection status availability; said gateway device making necessary changes in said port-sharing table in case any host connection becomes unavailable; a receiving component for obtaining IP datagrams and configuration information relating to a particular initiating host after a special IP address command has been received by said gateway device from said particular initiating host; means for comparing said IP datagrams for said particular initiating host with said IP addresses and other information previously stored in said port-sharing table; and means for adding said information relating to said particular initiating host to said port-sharing table, if a complete match is not found between said IP datagram, configuration and address information of said particular initiating host and said IP address and information stored previously in said port-sharing table.