Abstract: In an Internet communication between a terminal 10 and an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 8 of a network 6, a plurality of ATM data messages 35 from the terminal 10 to the ISP 8 are assembled into a single packet 37 at the edge of the network 6 while maintaining the ATM Header 38. Thus the amount of processing to transfer data across the network 6 is reduced compared to an Internet communication in which each ATM message is processed at each node in a network. At the ISP 8, the packets can be de-multiplexed and the original ATM messages reconstructed.

Abstract: This invention provides an efficient means of enabling bi-directional communication in a multicast IP network using ATM transport. Packet forwarding rules at the end-user modem and at the multicast router separate unidirectional multicast and bi-directional control flows. This enables the user to control the process of multicast services such as video-on-demand, while ensuring that the bi-directional flows are carried over the network in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A method to reduce the amount of Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), traffic in a LAN environment connected to the Internet via multiport gateway, 63. The gateway, 63, stores a list of terminals connected to its local LAN Paths 61, 62, and determines if the destination of the ARP request is one of the terminals, 611 . . . 622, connected to the local LAN paths. If the destination terminal is not connected to the local LAN paths, the gateway does not rebroadcast the ARP request to the local LAN paths.