Proxy server

Abstract

A proxy server shares a plurality of modems connected to a wide area network among multiple client computers connected to a local area network. Each of the client computers on the local area network is assigned a local address while each of the plurality of modems is assigned a modem port address valid on the wide area network. In one embodiment, a processor controls address substitution allowing multiple client computers to share modems when communicating to host computers in a wide area network. The processor creates a descriptor list to keep track of the connections between the client computer and host computers on the wide area network and uses the descriptor list to determine to which client computer an incoming data packet should be sent. The processor also creates a proxied application list to determine if an outgoing data packet, received from one of the client computers, is one to be proxied through the proxy server.

Description

COPYRIGHT NOTICE / PERMISSIONA portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and data as described below and in the drawing hereto: Copyright .COPYRGT. 1997, Multi-Tech Systems, Inc., All Rights Reserved.FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is related to network servers and in particular to a proxy server.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTraditionally, connecting networked computers to the Internet required establishing a dial-up connection for each network computer, or a dedicated line or frame relay connection shared by all network computers. Individual dial-up connections optimize bandwidth and connection time while a dedica...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Because the proxy server shares multiple modems among the computer of a local area network, the number of phone lines, modems, and ISP accounts are greatly reduced while maintaining the benefits of using only the amount of bandwidth needed at one time associated with dial-up Internet accounts. Furthermore, the proxy server allows easy connections of new client computers to the Internet but without the overhead associated with a dedicated connection. Additionally, because the proxy server translates between non-registered local area network addresses and valid Internet addresses, the local area network is secured against unauthorized, external access.

Problems solved by technology

Each approach has major drawbacks, however.

The cost of the modems, phone lines, and ISP accounts quickly becomes prohibitive in a small to medium sized network.

The drawbacks to a dedicated connection are the cost of the dedicated connection, the cost of the equipment necessary to connect the network to the dedicated connection, and the additional overhead associated with managing the network and securing the network from unauthorized, external access.

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