Abstract: The present invention provides shared communication medium capability to the plethora of computer devices, like the PCCAs, that normally are able to communicate with other devices via dedicated point-to-point links, e.g., via the practically universal RS-232 ports. It allows the sharing of the communication medium in a dynamic fashion depending on the instantaneous traffic demands by the various communicating devices. It further allows the emulation of point-to-point links over the shared communications medium in such a way that applications running on a PCCA use the shared medium transparently. Thus, this invention enables applications designed to operate over a point-to-point connection to operate over the shared medium without any modifications of the applications or the point-to-point devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus and computer product for a mobile device to roam securely and seamlessly from one access point to another access point without disrupting an active PPP connection. The method includes establishing, maintaining, and terminating a PPP connection between a mobile device and a PPP server via an access point, wherein the mobile device is equipped with a serial asynchronous communication interface. The PPP server is attached to a packet switched data network, and the access point is acting as a bridge between the serial communication interface and the packet switched communication interface. Also provided is a method to emulate a direct RS-232 cable connection between a mobile device and another computer located several hops away from the mobile device. It provides a method of keeping the RS-232 cable emulation between the mobile device an another computer system intact despite changes in mobile device's location in the network.