Abstract: A network apparatus for redirecting a network packet, comprises a network interface for receiving the network packet; and an interceptor for receiving the network packet from the network interface, evaluating which port is being used for the network packet, replacing a destination IP address of said network packet with a further destination IP address if the port is one or more predetermined ports, and allowing the network packet to exit the network apparatus with the port unchanged if the port is not one of the one or more predetermined ports.

Abstract: A network device comprises a first network interface for communicating with a first network device; a second network interface for communicating with a second network device; and an auto configuration module located between the first network interface and the second network interface, wherein packets flow between the first network interface and the second network interface via the auto configuration module, wherein the auto configuration module evaluates one or more address fields associated with each of the packets, and wherein the first network interface and the second network interface are each configured for communication with the first network device and the second network device depending upon whether content of the one or more address fields is a) an address that remains static over time; or b) a further address that changes over time.

Abstract: A network device comprises an IP address identifier that identifies an IP address of a further network device that is coupled to the network device; and a requester for transmitting a request to receive a response from a network coupled to the network device, wherein the request uses the IP address of the further network device identified by the IP address identifier to identify the network device as a destination of the response to the request.

Abstract: A firewall for selectively allowing or blocking traffic between a first network interface and a second network interface. A packet classifier evaluates the traffic between the first network interface and the second network interface and allows or blocks the traffic based on content of classifier data accessible by the packet classifier. An IP address identifier identifies an IP address of the second network interface. A classifier data updater initiates a request for the classifier data to be updated, and receives an update to the classifier data responsive thereto, wherein the request is transmitted from the updater to the first network interface, the update is received from the first network interface, and the request identifies the firewall as destination of the update with the IP address of the second network interface identified by the IP address identifier.

Abstract: Dynamic bus-based virtual channel multiplexing may be accomplished by establishing one or more virtual channels with a multiplexing device function driver and a multifunction device coupled to a bus, determining one or more functions to be activated on the device, and for each activated function, launching a second-tier function driver to handle operation of the activated function. The second-tier function driver has a function driver type. Establishment of the one or more virtual channels is accomplished using a multiplexing protocol and multiplexing device function driver with the multifunction device via a bus driver coupled to the bus.

Abstract: Dynamic bus-based virtual channel multiplexing may be accomplished by establishing one or more virtual channels with a multiplexing device function driver and a multifunction device coupled to a bus, determining one or more functions to be activated on the device, and for each activated function, launching a second-tier function driver to handle operation of the activated function. The second-tier function driver has a function driver type. Establishment of the one or more virtual channels is accomplished using a multiplexing protocol and multiplexing device function driver with the multifunction device via a bus driver coupled to the bus.