Abstract: The utilization is described of an automatically generated Internet protocol (“IP”) address in a networked environment. An IP address is automatically generated and used while an IP address server is unavailable or unreliable. The system used either the automatically generated IP address or the assigned address depending on certain circumstances. For example, if the IP address server repeatedly assigns conflicting IP address, the system continues to use the generated IP address despite having received an assigned IP address from the IP address server. Also, if the communication is within a common local area network, the generated IP address is used so as to avoid encryption of the communication in accordance with TCP/IP protocol.

Abstract: A method and computer product for automatically generating an IP network address that facilitates simplified network connection and administration for small-scale IP networks without IP address servers, such as those found in a small business or home network environment. First, a proposed IP address is generated by selecting a network identifying portion (sometimes known as an IP network prefix) while deterministically generating the host identifying portion based on information available to the IP host. For example, the IEEE 802 Ethernet address found in the network interface card may be used with a deterministic hashing function to generate the host identifying portion of the IP address. Next, the generated IP address is tested on the network to assure that no existing IP host is using that particular IP address. If the generated IP address already exists, then a new IP address is generated, otherwise, the IP host will use the generated IP address to communicate over the network.

Abstract: A computer system facilitates concurrent filtering and fast-forwarding of network packets. The computer system includes a network card for interfacing with multiple computer networks, and the network adapter is able to fast-forward network packets that it receives to other network destinations without assistance from the main central processing in the computer system. A fast-forwarding cache is stored on the network card to facilitate such fast-forwarding. Network packets that are not fast-forwarded are processed by the main central processing of the computer system that may apply filtering to the network packets and route network packets accordingly. The main central processing unit provides routing information to the network card so that subsequently received network packets can be transmitted to the network destinations without intervention by the main central processing unit.