Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligently bridging a first network and a second network are disclosed. In one embodiment, a protocol independent bridge device driver is bound to a first and a second network interface card device driver in order to access the first and the second network. Then the bridge device driver adaptively derives topology of the first and the second network based on network packets that it receives from the first and the second network. Lastly, the bridge device driver delivers the received network packets based on information contained in the received network packets and the derived topology.

Abstract: A transparent proxy. In a computer system, a layered service provider intercepts a communications request from a client application in the native protocol of the communications request wherein the communications request requests communication with a remote server. The service provider bundles and passes the communications request to a predetermined port. A transparent proxy application listening on the predetermined port receives the communications request in the native protocol of the request and establishes the requested communication.

Abstract: Response time is improved by a method and apparatus for pre-fetching application data over a network. A request for application data, such as Internet data, is received. The request is transmitted to a transparent network proxy, which issues requests over a communications network to fetch the requested data. The requested application data are received by the proxy and forwarded to a client layered service provider, which supplies the data to the application. If additional application data is received by the proxy, that data is also forwarded to the client layered service provider, where it is stored as pre-fetch data. If additional application data is requested by the application, the additional data can be supplied from the stored pre-fetch data, if available.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, an access point for use in a powerline based network includes first physical layer circuitry to interface with a powerline and second physical layer circuitry to interface with an antenna. The access point also includes circuitry to interface between the first and second physical layer circuitry. The first and second physical layer circuitry and the circuitry to interface between the first and second physical layer circuitry allow an untethered electrical device to have data communication through the powerline with an electrical device tethered to the powerline. Under another embodiment of the invention, a powerline based network includes a powerline and an access point connected to the powerline and capable of wireless communication.