Abstract: A method manages transfer of multiple destination packets received at edge devices on a connection oriented network, such as ATM providing LAN emulation, where the connection oriented network provides emulation of one or more variant network protocols for systems coupled to the edge devices. The method includes maintaining status information for each port on edge devices on the connection oriented network, which provides an indication of network protocols not in use by systems accessible through the respective ports. Multiple destination packets received at an incoming port on an edge device are sent via the connection oriented network to a server on the connection oriented network. At the server, the network protocol for which the multiple destination packet is intended is determined.

Abstract: A method manages transfer of multiple destination packets received at edge devices on a connection oriented network, providing LAN emulation, where the connection oriented network provides emulation of one or more variant network protocols for systems coupled to the edge devices. The method includes maintaining status information for each port on edge devices on the connection oriented network, which provides an indication of network protocols not in use by systems accessible through the respective ports. Multiple destination packets received at an incoming port on an edge device are sent via the connection oriented network to a server on the connection oriented network. At the server, the network protocol for which the multiple destination packet is intended is determined.

Abstract: DLL devices are built with multiple MAC address instead of a single MAC address, and provide a multiple virtual DLL interfaces to the upper layers (3-7) in a computer. This results in a new class of multi-function computers for attachment to a network system which take advantage of the multiple virtual DLL interfaces, to increase performance of the respective functions executed by the computer. Thus, a new network interface control apparatus and a new class of multi-function computer systems for attachments to networks are provided. The memory in the medium access control device stores a plurality of additional network addresses in addition to the assigned network addresses. The address filtering logic includes circuits responsive to the additional network addresses, such as logic for blocking a particular frame on at least one of the plurality of data channels when the source and destination address of a particular frame are found in the additional addresses stored in the memory.

Abstract: DLL devices are built with multiple MAC address instead of a single MAC address, and provide a multiple virtual DLL interfaces to the upper layers (3-7) in a computer. This results in a new class of multi-function computers for attachment to a network system which take advantage of the multiple virtual DLL interfaces, to increase performance of the respective functions executed by the computer. Thus, a new network interface control apparatus and a new class of multi-function computer systems for attachments to networks are provided. The memory in the medium access control device stores a plurality of additional network addresses in addition to the assigned network addresses. The address filtering logic includes circuits responsive to the additional network addresses, such as logic for blocking a particular frame on at least one of the plurality of data channels when the source and destination address of a particular frame are found in the additional addresses stored in the memory.