Wireless modem simulation of a LAN card

Abstract

An interface apparatus and method facilitates communications on a “connection establishment” type network utilizing the “always connected” type communication techniques thereby eliminating connection establishment steps. The apparatus and method transmits data using the pre-existing “always connected” type application software in the a host computer system's operating system (OS). The interface apparatus intercepts ARP and DHCP service related messages from the host computer's OS and emulates a “always connected” type I/O driver by replying to the service messages with ARP and DHCP service related response messages. As a result, the host computer perceives that the data is being transmitted to another computer system on the same “always connected” type network as the host computer system using a “always connected” type I/O driver. The interface apparatus transmits an ARP message to the host computer's OS which includes an associated address corresponding to a globally unique identification address of the interface apparatus. Perceiving that the associated address is the IP address for its own “always connected” type I/O driver, the host computer system routes the data through the interface apparatus which is then transmitted on the “connection establishment” type network without performing connection establishment steps.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.