Method for extending the use of single ipv4 addresses to multiple network end-hosts

A method for transmitting data packets across a public network using a shared public network address, comprising:

• transmitting a request for a source port from a requesting network device to a router shared by a plurality of network devices;
• querying an address resolution table on the router for an unassigned source port in response to the port request from the given network device, where the address resolution table stores the public network address and a source port assigned to each network device registered with the router in connection with a hardware address that uniquely identifies each of the registered network devices;
• and
• transmitting a reply from the router to the requesting network device, the reply includes an unassigned source port for use by the requesting network device;
• and
• transmitting data packets from the requesting network device across the public network using the public network address and the unassigned source port.

A method for routing data packets by a router in a public network environment, comprising:

• storing an address resolution table in a computer memory associated with the router, where the address resolution table maps a public network address and a source port assigned to network devices registered with the router to a hardware address that uniquely identifies each of the registered network devices;
• publishing source port assignments from the address resolution table in response to queries from network devices in the public network;
• registering source port assignments from network devices with the address resolution table;
• and
• routing data packets arriving at the router over the public network to applicable network devices using the address resolution table.