LAN INTERNET CONNECTION

摘要

This invention reduces the amount of Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) traffic i n a LAN environment connected to the Internet via a multiport gateway 63. The gatewa y 63 stores a list of terminals connected to its local LAN paths 61, 62 and determ ines if the destination of the ARP request is one of the terminals, 611 ... 622 connecte d to the local LAN paths. If the destination terminal is not connected to the local LAN p aths, the gateway does not rebroadcast the ARP request to the local LAN paths.