Abstract: A user controlled apparatus and corresponding method for accepting or rejecting a data packet which is being transferred between a client and server over a cable and a cable communication network. A memory system cooperates with a CPU and a cable modem to provide the desired results. The memory system includes applications programs, an applications interface layer, a communications protocol such as TCP/IP layer, a shim and a cable modem driver. The shim layer binds with the TCP/IP layer and the driver by exchanging pointers. The shim intercepts all data packet flow in both directions between the cable modem and the TCP/IP layer. Upon receipt by the shim of a packet received signal, logic intervenes. The logic decides to either pass the packet on or reject it based on the status of a listen flag which may be set by the client and/or the server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling two way communication via disparate physical media. A computer comprises a central processor, a forward channel interface, a return channel interface, and a main memory, each being coupled to a bus. The forward channel interface is further coupled to interrupt the central processor and coupled to receive a packet from a forward channel. The main memory contains an interrupt service routine comprising a first set of code for passing the packet to a routine for decapsulating the packet and a second set of code for passing a second packet to the return channel interface. The method comprises a computer transferring a packet from a forward channel interface to a main memory. The central processor analyzes the packet to determine if the packet is a data packet or a network management packet. If the packet is a network management packet, the central processor creates a response packet and passes the response packet to a return channel interface.