Abstract: Switching and routing functions may be provided in a data plane of a network switch by having all functions and algorithms needed to handle all related interface, logical and physical, under one interface manager to keep track of bindings between virtual interfaces and logical interfaces, as well as maintain the statuses of ports that belong to the virtual interface and the actual logical ports. When the actual interface goes down, the virtual interface may go down along with it. The bindings may also include definitions. All of these bindings may be located in a single routing information base (RIB) database, eliminating the need for multiple bindings to be kept in various places. Furthermore, a hardware abstraction layer in the control plane can also then be mirrored in the data plane, eliminating the need for the customer to create a layer performing the same tasks.

Abstract: A home gateway apparatus is connected to a storage apparatus. A cell phone terminal is connected to the home gateway apparatus via an IP network. Upon acknowledging a telephone number from the cell phone terminal, the home gateway apparatus communicates an IP address of the home gateway apparatus to the cell phone terminal. Subsequently, upon acknowledging a connection request to the IP address thus communicated, the home gateway apparatus performs a process of authenticating the connection request, based on the telephone number of the cell phone terminal and the telephone number already acknowledged. Further, the home gateway apparatus makes the storage apparatus available for use by the cell phone terminal thus authenticated via the IP network.

Abstract: A network connection device connecting a pseudo wire of a layer 2 and a pseudo wire formed of a layer 3, comprising: a switching unit operating as an edge switch of a layer 2 network forming a first pseudo wire; a routing unit operating as an edge router of a layer 3 network forming a second pseudo wire; and a conversion unit which makes conversion between a frame of the layer 2 network and a packet of the layer 3 network.

Abstract: A home gateway apparatus is connected to a storage apparatus. A cell phone terminal is connected to the home gateway apparatus via an IP network. Upon acknowledging a telephone number from the cell phone terminal, the home gateway apparatus communicates an IP address of the home gateway apparatus to the cell phone terminal. Subsequently, upon acknowledging a connection request to the IP address thus communicated, the home gateway apparatus performs a process of authenticating the connection request, based on the telephone number of the cell phone terminal and the telephone number already acknowledged. Further, the home gateway apparatus makes the storage apparatus available for use by the cell phone terminal thus authenticated via the IP network.

Abstract: Switching and routing functions may be provided in a data plane of a network switch by having all functions and algorithms needed to handle all related interface, logical and physical, under one interface manager to keep track of bindings between virtual interfaces and logical interfaces, as well as maintain the statuses of ports that belong to the virtual interface and the actual logical ports. When the actual interface goes down, the virtual interface may go down along with it. The bindings may also include definitions. All of these bindings may be located in a single routing information base (RIB) database, eliminating the need for multiple bindings to be kept in various places. Furthermore, a hardware abstraction layer in the control plane can also then be mirrored in the data plane, eliminating the need for the customer to create a layer performing the same tasks.