Network access method and network access server therefor

A method of providing high density remote access for a plurality of remote communications devices with a single network access server, said remote communications devices dialing in to said network access server to obtain access to a local or wide area computer network in order to exchange data with terminals coupled to said local or wide area computer network;

• said remote communications devices each comprising a source of digital data, said remote communication devices capable of communication over a telephone network, said network access server comprising a unitary chassis having an interface to said telephone network and an interface to said local or wide area computer network,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• (a)
• (1) transmitting a data stream from a remote communications device in said plurality of remote communications devices over said telephone network to said network access server;
• (2) converting, in a signal conversion module in said network access server, said data stream from a form in which said data was transmitted over said telephone network into a form compatible with the processing requirements of a terminal on said local or wide area computer network;
• (3) processing, in a network gateway module coupled to said signal conversion module, network protocols in said network access server required to transmit said data stream over said network to said terminal;
• (4) transmitting said data stream onto said local or wide area computer network for transmission to said terminal;
• (5) receiving, at said network gateway module of said network access server, responsive data from said terminal destined for transmission to said remote communications device;
• (6) processing protocols, in said network access server, required to transmit said responsive data over said telephone network to said remote communications device;
• (7) converting, in said signal conversion module, said responsive data into a form compatible with the transmission requirements of said telephone network;
• and
• (8) imparting said responsive data onto said telephone network for transmission to said remote communication device, whereby said remote communications device and said terminal engage in bilateral communication via said network access server;
• and
• (b) performing steps (a)(1) through (a)(8) substantially simultaneously for at least 24 separate and unrelated remote communications devices in said network access server, thereby resulting in at least 24 substantially simultaneously occurring separate bilateral communications sessions processed in said network access server.