Apparatus and methods for use therein for an ISDN LAN modem that provides enhanced network activity

摘要

Apparatus, and accompanying methods for use therein, for an ISDN LAN modem that is suited for small user environments and which contains an internal ISDN router having a self-contained network hub for inter- connecting multiple network devices, such as workstations, to each other through a local area network (LAN) and for permitting each of those devices to each gain access through the router to any one of a number of different remote networks. Through use of a multi-tiered routing hierarchy including both destination- and source-based routing, the LAN modem accommodates several modalities of network communication not heretofore possible in a conventional router. Specifically, several different workstations can simultaneously communicate through the LAN modem with a common remote network and share a single user account at a corresponding network service provider. Also, the LAN modem can simultaneously route packet traffic between multiple workstations on the LAN and different remote networks through different ISDN connections simultaneously existing between the LAN modem and corresponding network service providers.