Abstract: Methods for transmitting data according to point-to-point protocols from first devices (1) to second devices (2) via logical links (3) transmit (52) requests comprising specifications for specifying said data from second devices (2) to first devices (1) and transmit (55) responses comprising said data from first devices (1) to second devices (2) in response to receptions of requests. To allow these methods also to be used in “bonding” environments wherein logical links (3) comprise several physical links (31, 32), the methods insert (54), at first devices (1), per physical link (31, 32) one or more containers comprising information about the physical link (31, 32) into responses, and detect (56), at second devices (2), the one or more containers. Requests may comprise descriptors for defining parameters of physical links (31, 32). First containers identify the physical links (31, 32) and second containers specify parameters of the physical links (31, 32).

Abstract: Method for use by a network unit coupled between a client and at least one server, to forward a downstream message from the server towards the client. The downstream message is a reaction upon an upstream message transmitted by the client via the network unit towards at least the one server. The method comprises, upon reception by the network unit of the upstream message, determining routing information that enables routing of a message, intended for the client, from the network unit to the client.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an access unit for coupling a plurality of subscribers to a data communication network, and comprising an auto-configuration control unit adapted to learn, from first auto-configuration data issued by an auto-configuration server and transiting through said access unit towards a particular subscriber coupled to said access unit, a particular network address as being dynamically assigned to said particular subscriber.