A PACKET PROCESSING RELAY AGENT TO PROVIDE LINK LAYER FORWARDING IN ONE-WAY CABLE/WIRELESS/SATELLITE MODEMS

摘要

A method and apparatus for allowing a personal computer to receive data from a computer network such as the Internet via a broadcast channel of a cable or satellite television network, while transmitting data upstream to the computer network via a telephone line. A packet processing relay agent (PPRA) forwards data at the data link layer between a one-way network adapter, such as a cable modem that receives Internet data via a cable network, and a two-way return path adapter, such as a telephone modem that communicates with Internet servers and other users via a telephone network. The system provides compatibility with TCP/IP routing/addressing conventions by forwarding upstream IP packets with a cable modem source address over the telephone modem. The PPRA can enhance functionality by incorporating higher layer functions at the data link layer.