Ethernet to ADSL adapter

An Ethernet to ADSL adapter for controlling data communication between an Ethernet port and an ADSL modem connected to an ADSL channel, comprising:

• means for transmitting data packets received at the Ethernet port to the ADSL modem a first ADSL transmission rate;
• a buffer for storing data packets received from the ADSL modem at a second ADSL transmission rate;
• means for transmitting the data packets from said buffer to the Ethernet port;
• and
• means for transmitting a pause signal to the ADSL modem when said buffer contains a predetermined number of data packets, wherein transmission of additional data packets to the adapter from the ADSL modem is inhibited by said pause signal.

A method for controlling data communication between an Ethernet port and an ADSL modem connected to an ADSL channel, comprising the steps of:

• storing data packets received at the Ethernet port in a first buffer;
• transmitting said data packets from said first buffer to the ADSL modem at a first ADSL transmission rate;
• transmitting a jamming signal from the Ethernet port when said first buffer contains a first predetermined number of data packets and data packets are not available for transmission to the Ethernet port, wherein transmission of additional data packets to the Ethernet port by other Ethernet nodes is inhibited by said jamming signal;
• and
• transmitting data packets received from the ADSL modem at a second ADSL transmission rate to the Ethernet port.

A method for controlling data communication between an Ethernet port and an ADSL modem connected to an ADSL channel, comprising steps of:

• transmitting data packets received at the Ethernet port to the ADSL modem at a first ADSL transmission rate;
• storing data packets received from the ADSL modem at a second ADSL transmission rate in a buffer;
• transmitting the data packets from said buffer to the Ethernet port;
• and
• transmitting a pause signal to the ADSL modem when said buffer contains a predetermined number of data packets, wherein transmission of additional data packets to the adapter from the ADSL modem is inhibited by said pause signal.

An Ethernet to ADSL adapter for controlling data communication between an Ethernet port and an ADSL modem connected to an ADSL channel, comprising:

• a first buffer for storing data packets received at the Ethernet port;
• means for transmitting said data packets from said first buffer to the ADSL modem at a first ADSL transmission rate;
• means for transmitting a jamming signal from the Ethernet port when said first buffer contains a first predetermined number of data packets and data packets are not available for transmission to the Ethernet port, wherein transmission of additional data packets to the Ethernet port by other Ethernet nodes is inhibited by said jamming signal;
• means for transmitting data packets received from the ADSL modem to the Ethernet port at a second ADSL transmission rate;
• means for inhibiting transmission of data packets to the ADSL modem when a first pause signal is received from the ADSL modem;
• a second buffer for storing the data packets received from the ADSL modem, said means for transmitting data packets to the Ethernet port including means for transmitting said data packets from said second buffer;
• and
• means for transmitting a second pause signal to the ADSL modem when said second buffer contains a second predetermined number of data packets, wherein transmission of additional data packets to the adapter from the ADSL modem is inhibited by said second pause signal.