MXPA99008386A - Nomadic translator or router - Google Patents

Abstract

A nomadic router or translator (10) enables a laptop computer or other portable terminal (12) which is configured to be connected to a home network to be connected to any location on the internet or other digital data communication system (14). The router (10) automatically and transparently re-configures the terminal (12) to its new location and processes outgoing and incoming data. The router (10) includes a processor (11) which appears as the home network to the terminal (12), and appears as the terminal (12) to the communication system (14). The terminal (12) has a permanent address, the router (10) has a router or translator address, and the terminal (12) transmits outgoing data to the system (14) including the permanent address as a source address. The processor (11) translates the outgoing data by replacing the permanent address with the router address as the source address. The terminal (12) receives incoming data from the system (14) including the router address as a destination address, and the processor (11) translates the incoming data by replacing the router address with the permanent address as the destination address. Alternatively, the terminal (12) can be directly connected to a point on a local network (14), and the router (10) connnected to another point on the newtork (14). The router (10) can be employed to implement numerous applications including nomadic e-mail, network file synchronizer, database synchronizer, instant network, nomadic internet and trade show router and can also be utilized as a fixed nomadic router.

Description

TRANSLATOR OR ROUTER NOT ADICO TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates in general to the technique of digital communications and, in particular, to a portable translator or router that allows a digital communication terminal of a user to be transparent in location and device.

PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE The digital communication addresses of a user, such as internet addresses or IP addresses, are conventionally associated with a fixed physical location, for example a telephone line of the user's business. However, portable communication devices such as la.ptop laptops are becoming increasingly popular and it is very common for a user to access the Internet from different locations, such as hotel rooms and airplanes. The digital communication networks are configured to route communications directed to a communications address to the associated physical location. Therefore, if a laptop is connected to a remote location, communications to and from the computer will not be associated with the user's communication address. In order for a computer (guest) to communicate over a network (for example, the Internet), software protocols (for example, Transport Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP) must be loaded into the host device). )). A host computer sends information (ie, data packets) to the network devices (routers) which receive the packets and send them back to the destination host. The destination host will route the responses using a similar process. Each host computer and each router must be configured so that they know who to send the data packets to. A router will receive the packets only if guest computers send (they direct) especially the packets to that router. If a guest is configured incorrectly (bad address), the host computer and the router will be unable to communicate. With the advent of mobile computers (the.ptops) and the desire to connect them to various networks to gain access to network and Internet resources, a mobile computer must be configured for each network to which it connects. Traditionally this new configuration can be done in two ways: (i) manually in the mobile computer software (usually causing the mobile computer to restart to load the new configuration), or (ii) with a new set of protocols to be used on the mobile computer to obtain the configuration information from a device on the network to which the computer is connected. When new services (protocols) are created to add functions to guest computers, these new protocols must be updated on host computers or routers, depending on the type of new functions that are being added.

EXPOSITION OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a portable "Nomadic" translator or router allows a laptop or other type of portable terminal that is configured to connect to a home local network, connect to any other location on the Internet or in another digital data communication system. The nomadic router automatically and transparently reconfigures the terminal of its new location and processes the incoming and outgoing data. The nomadic router includes a processor that appears to the terminal as if it were the home network and before the communication system appears as if it were the terminal. The terminal has a permanent address, the nomadic router has a router address and the terminal transmits the outgoing data to the system that includes the permanent address as the source address. The processor translates the outgoing data replacing the permanent address with the address of the router as the source address. The terminal receives the incoming data from the system that includes the address of the router as the destination address and the processor translates the incoming data replacing the address of the router with the permanent CC-LORL address as the destination address. The terminal can be directly connected to a point in the local network and the nomadic router can connect to another point in the network. The nomadic router can be used to implement several applications, including nomadic e-mail, network file synchronizer, database synchronizer, instant network, nomadic internet, mobile virtual private network and trade show router and can also be used as a fixed nomadic router. The nomadic router can be implemented as software and / or hardware. The nomadic router establishes transparency as to location and device for a digital communication terminal, for example, a laptop. The terminal can be connected to any variety of networks and locations that a variety of communication interface devices can employ. The nomadic router automatically converts the current location address into a unique communication address for the user, for example, an Internet address, so that the terminal performs the communications originating from the communication addresses regardless of the physical location of the user. the terminal . The nomadic router also automatically configures the terminal to use an interface device selected from among the interface devices and switches from one to the other if the first device does not work or is not available. The nomadic router includes software and services that can be packaged into a personal portable device, to support a rich set of computing and communication skills and various services, in order to adapt to the mobility of nomads (users) in a transparent manner , integrated and convenient. This is achieved by providing the user with device transparency and location transparency. There is a vast array of alternative communication devices such as Ethernet, Wireless LAN and dial-up modem, among which users switch from one to another when they are in the office, when they move around the office or when they are being transported (for example, in a hotel, airport or home). The transparency to the device in the nomadic router provides a seamless switching or seaming between these devices (easily, transparently, intelligently and without loss of the session). Transparency support for the location on the nomadic router prevents users from having to reconfigure (for example, IP address, exit address) their network devices (laptop) each time they move from a new network to a subnet . The current nomadic router provides a separation of location and identity by providing a permanent IP address to the network device (guest). The nomadic router provides independence between the location, the communication device and the host operation system. No new standards need to be adopted by the user community of the network. All specialized processing is stored internally in the nomadic router with the standard interfaces of the host device and various communication devices.

The nomadic router supports the migration to Network Computers providing identity and security services for the user. The nomadic router also supports multiple parallel communication paths through communication networks for smooth transmission transfers, for increased performance and fault tolerance by supporting multiple communication substrates. A portable router for enabling a data communication terminal to be transparent to the location and to the device, according to the present invention, comprises: a first module for storing a digital communication address of a user; a second module for detecting a data communication network location to which the terminal is connected; a third module for detecting communication devices that are connected to the terminal; a fourth module for establishing data communication between the terminal and the network, so that the communication address of the location from the second module is automatically converted to the user's communication address from the first module; and a fifth module for automatically selecting a communication device that was detected by the third module to be used by the fourth module.

The current nomadic router uses a unique process built into a self-contained device that manipulates the data packets that are being sent between host computers and routers. This process provides an active and intelligent universal translation of the contents of the packets that are being transmitted between the host computer and the nomadic router. The translation allows the host computer to communicate with the nomadic router even when the host computer is not configured to communicate with the nomadic router. This is achieved by having the nomadic router pass through the router for which the host is configured and by having the nomadic router pass itself off as the guest to whom the router expects to communicate. Therefore, the nomadic router supports the mobility of computers since it enables them to connect to the network in different locations (independence, location) without having to install, configure or use any new protocol in the mobile computer. The mobile computer continues to operate without being aware of the change in location or new configuration and the nomadic router translates the data allowing the guest to think that he is communicating with the router. By putting this process in a self-contained device, the deployment of new protocols can be done independently in the host computer and in its operating system (independent of the host). All specialized processing and translation is stored internally in the nomadic router with standard interfaces to the host device and with several communication devices .. Therefore, no new standards need to be adopted. By removing the complexity of supporting different network environments outside of the mobile computer and towards this self-contained device, the nomadic router allows the host computer to maintain a very small set of software and functionality protocols (for example, the minimum functionality that is required). typically installed on network computers) to communicate over the network. The translational ability of the nomadic router also allows the use of alternate communication paths (device independence) without the host computer being aware of any new communication device that uses an alternate communication path. The translation of the packets is done not only to the physical, link or network layer of the protocol stack, but also to the transport and application layer. This allows the network card, the protocol stack and the application running on the host computer to be independent of the network environment and configuration. As an example of the independence of the communication device, translation allows smooth transmission transfer, increased performance and fault tolerance when supporting multiple communication substrates. In addition, the translation skill of the nomadic router provides a flexible process for the deployment of improved nomadic software and mobile computing and services such as packet filtering and determination of which packets should be allowed for transmission between the mobile computer and the nomadic router or the Local area network (Internal Firewall). The router apparatus can: (i) be carried by the mobile user (for example, using an external box); (ii) connect to the mobile computer (for example, PCMCIA card); (iii) installed inside the mobile computer (for example, a chip in a laptop); (iv) or installed in the network infrastructure so that it will already be there when the mobile computer user arrives (for example, a box that connects to the translator packet of the local area network that is being sent between the host and the nomadic router, or a chip that is installed in the routers in the network). The nomadic router can also be provided in the form of software that is uploaded to the mobile computer and runs on this or another computer or router on a network. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the reference numbers are used consistently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the implementation of the nomadic router herein between the host switching device and various communication devices through standard type interfaces; Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the basic architecture of the nomadic router, referred to as the hardware implementation architecture; Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a configuration overview of the basic steps performed when a host device is connected to the nomadic router of the present and when a network interface is connected to the router; Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating the automatic application of the router to the host device when the first host data packet is sent to the connected router or when an activation signal or interrupt is received; Figure 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the process by which the router initializes and verifies the various communication device interfaces for initialization, activation, etc .; Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the basic architecture of the nomadic router when it is implemented as software in the host device; Figures 7a to 7g are diagrams illustrating the protocol stack implementations for various network devices and the translation function that occurs in all layers of the protocol stack in the nomadic router; Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating a process of host reconfiguration and ARP packet interception in the name of the nomadic router; Figures 9a and 9b in combination constitute a flow chart illustrating the translation process of the nomadic router that is carried out in the host computer and the nomadic router in different layers of the protocol stack; Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the architecture of the nomadic router implemented as a hardware device that includes a microcontroller and a non-volatile memory for storing algorithms that implement the translation function; Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the architecture of the nomadic router apparatus implemented as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chip; Figures 12a to 12d are diagrams illustrating host and network interface modes in which the nomadic router is capable of operating; Figure 13 is a simplified perspective view illustrating the nomadic router as implemented in a self-contained box, which is connected to the local area network via a network interface port and has multiple ports to connect to the host computers; Figure 14 is a simplified perspective view illustrating the nomadic router apparatus as implemented by a Type III PCMCIA card, wherein the nomadic router is connected to the Type II slot of the host computer and the communication card device, of type II, it is plugged directly into the nomadic router, so that both can be energized and stored in the portable host computer; and Figure 15 is a simplified perspective view illustrating the nomadic router as implemented in a Type II PCMCIA card, where the nomadic router is connected to the host computer through a type II interface slot and wherein the device communication card, Type II, is connected to the type II card of the nomadic router.

WAYS TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION Basic Nomadic Router: Well Defined Standards Interfaces: Figure 1 illustrates a "Nomadic" translator or router 10 embodying the present invention when connected between a host device or computer 12 and a communications device 14. The host device 12 is a portable computer or any other fixed-type or mobile-type digital data communications terminal., which is portable or mobile enough to be taken from one location to another. A laptop, for example, can be used in any convenient location, for example, on an airplane, in a client's office, in the home, etc. The communications device 14 can be part of any type of communication system to which the host computer 12 can connect. These communication systems include, but are not limited to, local networks, wide-area networks, direct internet connections and mareaje, etc. In a typical application, the communications device will connect the host computer to a local network that is itself connected to the internet. Therefore, host device 12 is capable of communicating with an unlimited number of networks and nodes which by themselves are interconnected with routers, switches, bridges, etc., in a known manner. The router 10 of the present invention includes a terminal interface 10a that is normally used to connect the router 10 to the host device 12, and a system interface 10b that connects the router 10 to the communications device 14. As will be described later , the router 10 generally includes a processor consisting of hardware and / or software that implements the required functions. The router 10 is further configured to operate in an alternative mode where the host device 12 is directly connected to a network, and the router 10 is also connected to a point in the network, via the system interface 10b. In this case, the terminal interface 10a is not used. Although the device 10 is described here as a router, it will be understood that the router 10 is not a conventional router since it includes the ability to provide interconnectability between the networks. In contrast, the router 10 of the present is essentially a translator that allows the guest device 12 to be connected automatically and transparently to any communications device 14 and processes the input and output data for the device 12. The guest device 12 is provided with a permanent internet address that conveniently for the purposes of this, does not change. The device 12 is also initially configured to communicate with a particular gateway or other home device at its base location. The gateway has a home address that the device 12 attempts to locate when it is connected to any communications system. Without the functions of nomadic router 10 of the present, host device 12 could not operate at a remote location since it could not find its gateway. It will be understood that the term "domestic" is not relative to a residence, but refers to the network, gateway or other communication device or system to which the terminal is normally connected and which corresponds to the Internet or personal IP address. Figure 1 also illustrates a protocol top layer 16 representing the host computing device 12 that generates and consumes data that is transferred through the communications device 14. This interface 16 is made just below the IP layer and above of the link layer in the typical OSI / ISO model. In the middle is a layer 18 representing the router 10 and whose function is to adaptively configure the underlying communications device and provide the router support described herein. A lower layer 20 is a physical communication that carries out the communication (based on internet by wireline, ad-hoc or wireless) that is made available and is determined for use by the nomadic router or the user. Between the layer of the router 18 and the layers 16 and 20 are the interfaces 22 and 24 that the router 10 dynamically identifies and configures. The router of the present operates with guest computers, routers and other network devices through well-defined standard-type interfaces such as those specified by the IETF (Internet Engineering Tas Forcé) and IEEE standards committees. These rules specify the packet formats, content and physical communication characteristics. As shown in Figure 7a, host computers have to be configured in different layers of the protocol stack depending on the communication capabilities and the configuration of the current network to which they are attached.

The distributors, shown in Figure 7b, provide a well-defined interface for connecting host computers and network devices by transmitting packets through several physical connections. The distributors do not provide any manipulation or translation of the contents of the packages that are being transmitted. Bridges or switches, as shown in Figure 7c, provide an intelligent filtering mechanism by which they only transmit packets through multiple physical connections on the basis of which the device is connected in accordance with the addressing of the link layer (Media Access Control Address). Bridges and switches do not manipulate the contents of the packet and do not provide any higher layer protocol fusion. The routers, as shown in Figure 7d, accept packets based on the destination address in the network layer in the packet. The host computer must explicitly direct the packet in the link layer to the router. The router will subsequently transmit the packet through the correct physical connection based on how it is configured. No modification or translation of the packet is made in any layer of the protocol stack, which is different from the network layer.

Firewalls barriers, as shown in Figure 7e, filter packets to network and transport layers to only allow certain packets to be relayed to the other physical connection. Firewalls barriers do not manipulate the contents of the packets, they only send it to the next mirror in the network, if it passes the transport filter (port) or network (IP address). The so-called "representatives" (Proxies) and the gateways, as shown in Figure 7f, only receive packets explicitly addressed to them by host computers. These only manipulate the packets to an application layer. The nomadic router of the present 10, as shown in Figure 7g, manipulates the contents of the packets to the link, network, transport and application layers of the protocol stack to provide a translation between how the host computer is configured and which is the configuration of the network to which the host computer is currently attached. Unlike other devices known in Figures 7a to 7f, the router 10 will automatically intercept the packets and translate them without the other devices noticing the existence of the router 10 or having been configured to use it. The translation algorithms on the router 10 that provide this location independence are provided completely internal to the router 10. Therefore, no new standards need to be developed, accepted or implemented on the guest computers 12 or the routers 26 to deploy the new network services when the nomadic router is used. When a new or different communications device (including the link and physical layer layers) has been used in a host computer 12, the network layer of the computer should be aware of this new communication device. Since the router 10 has its own network interface with the communication device, the alternative communication devices can be used in the router 10 that the host computer 12 can use, but they will not have to be configured to use them.

Permanent Direction Crue is Not Based on Location. Today we communicate with individuals in terms of the location of communication tools (for example, your computer's IP address or your fax phone number). In order to support mobility and change communication environments and devices, it is necessary to create an environment where people communicate with other people and not specifically with the devices they use. To transparently support mobility and adaptability in an inter-network communication, wireless, potentially ad-hoc, a common virtual network must be provided through a device or intelligent agent that supports the different computer guests and the different communication devices. The nomadic router of present 10 provides the logical association between the location-based IP address used today on the Internet and the address based on a permanent user hosted on a host CPU in device 12. This is illustrated in Figure 2 as "IP Logical Association". This logical association is made without support or knowledge of the logical association by the host CPU or by the user. The Internet protocol RFC 2002 of Mobile IP specifies the logical association between temporary and permanent IP addresses. The unique aspect of the nomadic router is that mobile IP protocols do not necessarily run on the host CPU or are supported by it, but are internal to the nomadic routing. The host configuration information, for example the IP number is discovered or determined as illustrated in Figure 4 and stored in the nomadic router 10 as illustrated in Figure 2 in the form of "Information of Guest. "This configuration process is observed in Figure 3.

Optional Separate Processing As illustrated in Figure 2, the nomadic router 10 can provide separate communication processing for the host CPU, as it is physically separated from the host device 12. The adaptation, selection and transportation of information through the network is performed by the nomadic router 10. This allows the host device or terminal 12 to use the network without having to directly support the network protocols. By making the nomadic router responsible for adapting to the current network substrate, the host CPU can maintain high performance by not having to run packet processing or routing algorithms, adaptation, packet formation, etc. The nomadic router may also designate a queue, transmit and receive data independently, or regardless of whether or not the host device 12 is available or not connected. The CPU 11 integrated into the nomadic router 10 provides all the computing routines necessary to constitute a fully functional network coprocessor independent of the host CPU. This will allow a greater saving of battery for the user since the nomadic router does not have numerous devices and / or user, as does the host device 12.

Location Independence The network nomadic router hereby provides the ability to provide ubiquitous and reliable support in a location-independent manner. This removes the user from the load of a reconfiguration of the device (for example configuration of the IP address, gateway address or next router, netmask, link layer parameters and security permissions) or data transmission. The problem with the existing protocol stack is that the communication devices have to be reconfigured each time the communication environment changes. TCP / IP requires a new network, a new node and a new gateway number. Appletalk will automatically select an unused node number and discover the network number, but all open communications are lost and services have to be restarted to start using the new information. For example, this occurs when a PowerBook is plugged into a network, put into idle mode, and then energized in a different network. All network services are rebooted upon re-activation and network applications are confused if the computer is not restarted. The nomadic router solves this problem by providing temporary as well as permanent node and network numbers, similar to those provided by the mobile IP. However, the nomadic router will also work with other protocol stacks (for example AppleTalk). Mobile IP provides location independence to the network layer and not to the link layer. All parameters of the link layer, which are specific to the device, will be automatically configured as illustrated in Figure 5 when connecting new communication devices (network interface) to the nomadic router. The nomadic router completely eliminates the need for manual configuration, providing adaptive support regardless of the device.

Multiple Substrates (Device Independence) Another innovative feature of the nomadic router is the support of the simultaneous use of several communication substrates. This is illustrated in Figure 2 as "Device Selection". Users must be able to use two or more communication substrates, either to increase performance or to provide smooth transfer ability. This functionality is not supported in the typical protocol stacks of today (for example TCP / IP or AppleTalk). For example, using the control panel of "network", the user can select between communication substrates such as EtherTalk, LocalTalk, Wireless, ARA, etc., but you can not remotely access EtherTalk while you are trying to print via LocalTalk. Routers are typically capable of bridging various communication substrates, but the merging of LocalTalk and EtherTolk networks is usually not desired for many reasons, including performance and security. One problem with existing routers today is that they require manual configuration and are external to the node. To solve this, the nomadic router can support the automatic configuration and the total functionality of the router internally. This allows a nomadic or mobile node to adapt to various network and communication devices dynamically, for example when the user connects a PCMCIA card or connects a communications device in the serial port. Once the nomadic router becomes aware of the available communication devices and activates them, the transport of data through the multiple communication substrates can be carried out. The algorithm and protocol unique in the nomadic router that selects the most suitable device to be used, is shown in Figure 2 and in Figure 5 as part of the "Nomadic Router Verifier Device" through "Nomadic Router Device Selection" that is done in each interface. There are many factors that can affect the selection of the use of one or more devices. These factors typically include the available bandwidth, the cost to initiate and maintain the connection, the power and energy availability requirements, and the user's preferences. Another characteristic of the nomadic router is the support of simultaneous or alternate use of several communication substrates. This is done as part of step 5 in Figure 6, when the source address corresponds to a communication substrate on which the nomadic router will send the packet. Host computers may, indirectly, be able to use two or more communication substrates, either to increase performance or to provide smooth transfer ability. This functionality is not supported in the typical protocol stacks of today (for example TCP / IP or AppleTalk). Once the nomadic router becomes aware of the available communication devices and activates them, the transport of data through the multiple communication substrates can be carried out. The unique protocol and algorithm in the nomadic router that selects the most suitable device to be used is part of the "Nomadic Router Device Verifier" through the "Nomadic Router Device Selection" through each interface. There are several factors that may be affected by the selection to use one or more devices. These factors typically include the available bandwidth, the cost of initiating and maintaining the connection, the availability and power requirements and the user's preference.

Hardware Specification The nomadic router can run the software completely without any special hardware as shown in Figure 6 or without a separate CPU from the main host, or packaged in the form of a hardware device as shown in Figure 2. The router nomadic can also be provided as a digital storage medium that stores the software program that implements the translation processing functionality of the router. Examples of digital storage media include optical means (e.g., CD-ROM), magnetic means (e.g., floppy disks), non-volatile or read-only memories, or any combination thereof. The program is loaded into the mobile terminal 12 and runs on it or alternatively on any other computer or router that is connected to a network. A potential implementation of the nomadic router device is the integrated PC technology. As an example, the robust PC / 104 standard modules have a factor-form of 3,550"by 3,775" and typically 0.6"per module and weigh approximately 7 ounces per module.The use that the PC / 104 module makes of a self-stacking bus With a minimal component count and minimal power consumption (typically 1-2 Watts per module) eliminates the need for a cabling post or a card cage.The nomadic router can run on a 16 bit bus with an 80486 processor, for For example, standard network access devices can support burst speeds of up to 10 Mbps with typical user data throughput of around 1-2 Mbps. The user's bandwidth is lower depending on the available wireless communication device. For example, the LAN and the 2 Mbps Proxim wireless network covers 500 yards with 500Kbps user data throughput. As illustrated in Figure 1, the nomadic router includes typicalme 3 modules, a processor 10, a host device or a terminal interface 10a, and a system interface or communication device 10b. Another potential implementation of hardware is the CARDIO S-MOS System technology. This CPU card is basically the same size as the PCMCIA credit card adapter. It is 3.55 X 3.775 x 0.6 inches. The power requirements are + 5V DC +/- 10% with an operating temperature of 0 to 70 ° C, a storage temperature of 40 to 85 ° C and a relative humidity of 10% to 85% without condensation. The CARDIO is the most compact PC / 104 compatible system that is available and complies with a battery mechanics and electrical specifications PC / 104 Rev. 2.2. The power failure indicator, the battery backup and the automatic switch are also available. The nomadic router can also be implemented in a small portable device, for example a PCMCIA card or partially in a PCMCIA card. In the case of a full implementation on a PCMCIA card, the host CPU and the power supply are used to execute the Nomadic Routing and other protocols, algorithms, operating systems and application services. A hybrid implementation part PCMCIA card and part other hardware implementation, can also be used.

Components of the Device When the package is translated into a self-contained device, the processing performed on the packets in the nomadic router does not affect and the packets are downloaded from the host computer. Any specific translation of the packages to match the configuration of the network and the available services is done internally in the nomadic router. The nomadic router can form queues, transmit and receive data regardless of whether the host computer is available or connected. The algorithms and the microcontroller built within the nomadic router provide all the computation routines necessary to constitute a functional network coprocessor independently of the host computer. By allowing the nomadic router to process the packets independently of the host computer, the host computer may be de-energized or put into an idle state while processing is carried out, which provides an increase in battery life for a mobile guest computer .

The nomadic router can be configured with several components in several different ways. In Figure 10, the nomadic router contains a processor or microcontroller 11 for translating the packets stored in the packet buffer into a random access memory. The translation functions are stored in the non-volatile memory 13 with the Real-Time Operation System (RTOS) and the configuration information on what types of translation need to be performed. During the start-up (restart) of the nomadic router, the RTOS and translation algorithms are loaded from the non-volatile memory into the RAM memory, where they are executed. There may be a number of guest interfaces that go from zero, one or more and where host computers are connected. There are one or more network interfaces. If a host interface is not available then the nomadic router obtains the packets via the host computer from the network interface. In Figure 11, the nomadic router 10 is implemented as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or a Programmable Field Gateway (FPGA) 15 Array. These chips contain the algorithms for the translation of the packet. The chip may include storage for the non-volatile memory 17 which stores the configuration information, such as when manually configured for the current network. The chip 15 may also include random access memory to temporarily store the packets for translation in the nomadic router before being sent to the host or the network interface.

Packaging or Compaction of the Apparatus As described above, the nomadic router can be packaged in several different hardware configurations. The nomadic router can be embedded in the host computer or in the network device, for example in the form of a switch or router. It can also be implemented as a PCMCIA card that connects to the host computer or in a self-contained external box. Each nomadic router can have from one to many interfaces. If the router 10 is put in the network infrastructure, it does not have to be carried by the mobile user. As shown in Figure 12a, the nomadic router 10 is linked to a Local Area Network (LAN) of the network infrastructure constituting the communications device 14 through the system interface 10b. The LAN 14 is connected through a conventional router 26 to the internet 28. In this case, the host computer interface 10a of the nomadic router 10 is not needed since the packets of the host computer 12 are received through the LAN 14 To provide a secure interface between the host computer 12 and the network 14 in order to prevent host computers from being able to see (sniff) the packets from the network 14, the nomadic router 10 may have an interface with the host computer 12. (terminal interface 10a) and a second interface (10b) with network 14, as shown in Figure 12b and provides filtering of the packets and retransmit between several interfaces thus providing a type of security device firewall protection but that operates internally in the network. In order to support several host computers 12a §12n with a simple nomadic router 10, the nomadic router 10 may have multiple host interfaces 10ax § 10au, as shown in Figure 12c and Figure 13 and a network or system interface 10b. If the nomadic router is carried by the mobile user, it can take the form of a PCMCIA card. In Figure 12d the nomadic router 10 is implemented as a PCMCIA card. The processing and translation capacity is stored inside the card and the interface that is created with the host computer 12 is through the PCMCIA bus interface or the communication card 30. As shown in Figure 14, the PCMCIA card can be adapted in a type III slot where there is a connector on the nomadic router 10 that accepts the communication card 30 (a PCMCIA type II card). In this mode, the nomadic router does not have to have the specific components of the communication device inside the PCMCIA card. The nomadic router 10 can also take the form of a type II PCMCIA card. In this form, the communication card or device 30 is plugged into the opposite end of the card 10 of the nomadic router, as illustrated in Figure 15.

TRANSLATION OPERATION OF THE NOMADIC ROUTER Initialization and Autoconfiguration The initialization and autoconfiguration of the nomadic router provides means by which the nomadic router is able to learn the properties of the host computer and the network so that it knows what kind of translation is necessary.

Host Learning The nomadic router 10 is able to learn the way in which the host computer 12 is configured by observing the contents of the packets that are sent from the host computer 12. Instead of the host computer 12 sending packets directly to the router 26 or to another network device, which is what was initially configured, the nomadic router 10 is able to redirect all the output packets from the host computer 12 itself. This redirection can be achieved in several ways that are described below. 1. Intervention of the ARP Type Representative Package. { Proxy) and Guest Reconfiguration. When a host computer 12 has an IP packet that needs to be sent to a router 26 or to another network device, it uses an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) to obtain a Media Access Control address (MAC). Media Access Control) of the link layer. As illustrated in Figure 8, when the host computer 12 broadcasts an ARP request for the MAC address of a destination node, the nomadic router 10 receives this broadcast ARP request and responds with a MAC address (which is not the node address). destination) . When the host computer 12 receives this ARP response from the nomadic router 10, which contains the MAC address of the nomadic router 10, the host computer 12 will store this MAC address in the host computer 12 in the cache memory and send all packets destined for the router configured or the network device configured towards the nomadic router 10. The host computer 12 will think that the MAC address is the one corresponding to the configured IP network device, but in reality the nomadic router 10 is being passed (represented) by the device (its home gateway) that is expected by the host computer 12. The nomadic router 10 is also capable of reconfiguring and intercepting return packets from a router or from another network device using the same process. 2. Packet Interception in Promiscuous Mode As the MAC address is stored in the cache memory of the host computer 12 for a short period of time, the host computer 12 will not send a new ARP request to obtain the MAC address again, unless the period has elapsed or the cache memory is cleared, for example when the computer is restarted 12. When a conventional network device receives or listens to a packet with a MAC address that does not match its own, it ignores or discards the packet. Therefore, it is possible to quickly switch from one network environment to another using a laptop, the nomadic router 10 must be able to intercept the packets even when the MAC address is not the one corresponding to the home device or gateway of the nomadic router. This is achieved by placing the network connection of the nomadic router in a promiscuous mode. In this mode, the network connection in the nomadic router accepts all the packets that are being transmitted over the communication link, and not only those that are being broadcast or directed specifically to it. 3. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Service (DHCP). A host computer is able to use the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) service to obtain the configuration information instead of to configure it manually. The host computer uses the DHCP service that requires a DHCP server to be installed over the network segment to which it was currently attached. If the host computer 12 is using this service and requests configuration information using DHCP, the nomadic router 10 will intercept these requests and respond with the configuration information to be used for the host computer 12.

Learning about the Network The nomadic router is able to learn about the network environment in which it is currently connected, using several different methods that are described below. 1. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Whenever a different network connection is connected to a nomadic router, it will broadcast a DHCP request to obtain the configuration information of the current network. If the DHCP service is not available on the network, it will switch to another method to learn more about the network configuration. 2. Router Information Packages Routers in the network will periodically broadcast router information packets that are used to build routing tables and allow routers to adapt to changes in the network. The nomadic router 10 will listen to these router information packets in the network. When one is received, it will extract the configuration information from these packages. 3. Passive Listening By putting the network of the nomadic router connected in promiscuous mode, where it receives all the packets and not only those destined for it, all the packets in the network can be examined to discover what the network configuration is. You can also determine the IP addresses used in the local area network and determine which machines are routers when the destination address is not the address of the next mirror. Using this method, the nomadic router 10 can passively know how the network is configured and will choose the use of an unused IP address. If that IP address is used by another network device, the router will switch to another unused IP address. 4. Manual Configuration The network configuration information can be manually configured in the nomadic router 10. This information can be set using an embedded network server, Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) tools, an application that is running in one of the computers in the network or any other suitable means. When the manual configuration is used to establish the network information, the nomadic router 10 can still learn from the guest information automatically and provide all the translation capabilities so that the host computer does not have to be aware of the correct network information of the LAN * to which you are currently connecting.

Packet Translation The packet translation function of the nomadic router provides the logical association between the dependent service and location configurations used by the host computer 12 and that are used by the network 14 to which it is currently connected. For outgoing traffic from the host computer 12 to the network 14 the translation function changes the content of the packet such as the source address, the checksum and the application-specific parameters, causing all the packets sent to the network 14 are directed back to the nomadic router 10 and not to the host computer 12. The incoming traffic from the network 14 arriving at the nomadic router 10, which is really for the host computer 12, goes through the translation function in a way that host computer 12 thinks that the replies were sent directly to it. The host computer 12 will completely ignore all the translation function performed by the nomadic router 10. The translation functions work as illustrated in Figures 9a and 9b. In these figures, the operation performed by the application, transport, network, binding and physical layer layers of the OSI / ISO model are illustrated in rows opposite the layer designations. The operations performed by the host computer 12, the nomadic router 10 and the network 14 are illustrated in columns below the device designations. The host computer 12 will generate network packets using the current configuration stored in the host computer 12, using the standard protocol stack shown in step 1. This configuration information is configured either manually on the host computer 12 or obtained using DHCP. As shown in step 2, when host computer 12 directs the destination address of the link layer, the address obtained automatically uses the ARP packet interception routine per proxy (Proxy) that was described earlier, this will cause the host computer 12 sends the packet to the network address of its standard router or home gateway device, but using the address of the link layer of the nomadic router 10. In step 3, the packet is transmitted through the standard physical connection between the host computer 12 and the nomadic router 10. As shown in step 4, the nomadic router 10 will receive the packet to the link layer, either due to the proxy ARP function (proxy) that reconfigures the MAC address of the host computer, or because the nomadic router 10 will have the link layer in promiscuous mode that will make it receive the packet even if it is intended to a different MAC address. Once the packet passes to the network layer, shown in step 5, the translation function of the nomadic router will modify the contents of the packet to change the source address to that which matches the nomadic router address, instead of the address of the host computer. It will also translate other location-dependent information, such as the name of the Local Domain Name Service server (DNS - Domain Ñame Service). When the DNS packet is translated, it will change the source address to the nomadic router address and the destination address to that of a local DNS server. Once the translation to the network layer is complete, the package can be translated into the application and transport layers. The application layer is then translated, as shown in step 6, since the transport layer requires a pseudo-network layer header that includes the source and destination addresses and the content coming from the layer. application. In the translation of the application layer, any address that describes the source address of the host computer, for example with FTP, is translated to be the address of the nomadic router. Any destination addresses in the application layer, such as a local proxy server, are translated to match the server that is running on the current network. Once this application translation is complete, the transport layer, as shown in step 7, can complete the checksum and any manipulation of the number of ports. The number of ports is manipulated if more than one computer 12 is attached to the nomadic router 10. Each host computer 12, when it sends a request using a specific port, is translated to match the available input port on the nomadic router 10. The number of ports allocated for use with each host computer 12 is stored in a table in the nomadic router 10 and used with the response packet described below. Finally, the packet is sent over the network 14 in step 8. When a reply packet enters from the network 14, as shown in step 9, the nomadic router 10 will receive the packet. In step 10, the nomadic router 10 will perform the reverse translation to the network layer to set the destination address to that of the host computer 12 and not to the address of the nomadic router, and any source address to that replaced by the nomadic router 10 in the step. Once this network translation is completed, the packet is translated to the application layer, as shown in step 11, to change the destination address to that of the host computer 12 and the source address to the original destination address. stored in step 6. In step 12, any port manipulation performed in step 7 is changed to the original setting and a new checksum is calculated. Finally, as shown in step 13, the packet is sent to the host computer 12 which then processes it in a normal manner.

NOMADIC ROUTER OPTIONS There are many options and applications of the nomadic router. Applications include, but are not limited to: Nomadic E-mail, Remote Network File Synchronization, Nomadic Database Synchronization, Instant Network Nomadic Routing, Nomadic Intranets and Trade Fair Data Exchange. Each of these is described in more detail below.

Nomadic E-mail The Nomadic E-mail provides a synchronized but distributed form of updates, reconciliation and replicas to advertisements through the Internet. In several locations on the Internet there are nomadic routers equipped with nomadic e-mail support that provides the necessary synchronization, etc. Each nomadic router is enabled for nomadic e-mail and can use special protocols such as IMAP, which provides support for mobile users without the host device having to support them (as is now the case with the POP3 protocol standard in most of them). E-mail clients online).

Remote Network File Synchronizer The remote network file synchronization option of the nomadic router provides copies of user files stored / stored in cache memory in different locations (eg hotel, office, home) on other nomadic routers equipped for the synchronization of remote network file. Copies of updated files are automatically synchronized and distributed among all layer locations. Local updates can be made while the guest is disconnected from the nomadic router and from the network.

Nomadic Database Synchronizer The Nomadic Database Synchronizer hosts the user's (synchronized) master database (for example contacts, addresses, telephone numbers). The nomadic router of the database synchronizer does not even need to be used in the network since it will directly interface with several guest devices, such as laptops, desktop computers, personal digital assistants, manual personal computers, radiolocators, etc. ., through several standard ports.

Instant Network Nomadic Router The goal of the Instant Network nomadic router is to enable the rapid development of a communications network in any environment with little infrastructure or without fixed infrastructure. The guest and the communication devices do not have to directly support the rapid deployment functionality. The instantaneous network nomadic router establishes a wireless (or wired) communication link between the host device and the desired communication system in a distributive and intelligent manner while performing configuration, security, multi-reflex routing, and data transmission in the layer network in various communication devices. The nomadic router performs all the necessary network creations and processing automatically to remove the configuration and support of the system from the guest system or the user. The instantaneous network nomadic router uses existing / emerging and privately owned wireless communication systems and also multi-reflex routing protocols. As a motivation, many communication infrastructures are varied and fragmented and this problem can be deepened very likely as more technologies are introduced. For example, high performance LANs, wireless services, cellular telephony, satellites, ubiquitous radiolocation networks, all provide varying degrees of coverage, cost and bandwidth / delay characteristics. Sometimes there will be no connectivity due to lack of service, partial and intermittent connectivity as the devices are connecting and disconnecting from the systems, there will be damage to the communications infrastructure on a deliberate or accidental basis, or loss of communication as that the system moves through various service areas or domains of difficulty, and times when multiple jreid devices (communication substrates) can be used at the same time. The instantaneous network nomadic router will dynamically adapt the work between communication networks, dynamically creating one if necessary, to provide survival communication in a mobile chaotic environment if the need for centralized control or fixed infrastructure. The rapidly deployable nomadic router is a device associated with each user host device (eg PDA or laptop). It transparently provides the following abilities of host computing systems using various wireless communication devices for access to the physical layer and the link layer. 1. Creation of dynamic wireless network. 2. Initialization to existing wireless networks 3. Automatic configuration. 4. Data transmission to the network layer and subnet. 5. Multi-reflex routing functionality. The nomadic router can detect a device that is being used either by polling the interface, providing an interrupt signal or through specialized signaling. This in turn activates the nomadic router to configure the device (if necessary) to establish a communication link to an appropriate corresponding interface and to a wireless subnet. The nomadic router operates on a layer between the host device that generates data and the physical communication transmission device as illustrated in Figure 1.

Nomadic Intranet The nomadic intranet provides the entire network, types of servers and services for the user who wishes to dynamically create an adhoc network. This is similar to the nomadic instantaneous network router except that the nomadic intranet is a simple device with multiple ports where laptops / devices can be connected. The nomadic instantaneous network router is distributed to each guest device (one per each). The nomadic intranet not only provides adhoc network but also provides services such as temporary file storage, protocol conversion, acts as a printer server and provides other services described as part of the Basic nomadic router.

Commercial Trade Nomadic Router The trade fair nomadic router not only provides the functions of the basic nomadic router for an exhibitor computer that is provided for a trade show, but also provides the direction of capture and / or distribution of information. The directed capture can be provided by connecting by interface with a badge reader to read the information of the assistant to the fair. This information is then captured by the nomadic router and made available to the merchandiser database. The nomadic router can also provide a mechanism to distribute information to the personalized webpage of the attendee at the fair or send e-mail directly through the internet. The display computer is able to control the flow of information with the nomadic router running the software, for example a network browser, which speaks with the service / control software stored in the nomadic router. The standard web browser can control the display and capture of important information, the collection of qualification information and the selection of information that will be distributed to the attendee at the fair.

Fixed Nomadic Router The fixed nomadic router provides the same basic functions and architecture as the portable nomadic router but is stored in one location. The fixed nomadic router acts as a substitute or "domestic agent" for the user when traveling. When the user wishes to register or use his or her host device elsewhere in the network, the portable nomadic router will register with the fixed nomadic router where it is temporarily attached to the network, so that the information can be sent to the new location of the network. user. The fixed nomadic router can also be used to host the master copy of the user's e-mail for the nomadic e-mail service or the files for the nomadic file synchronizer.

Virtual Mobile Virtual Network The nomadic router provides the logical association between the IP address based on the location used today on the Internet and the address based on the permanent user hosted on the guest CPU. This logical association is made without support or knowledge of said logical association by the user or the host CPU. The RFC 2002 Internet Mobile IP protocol specifies the logical association between permanent and temporary IP addresses. The unique aspect of the nomadic router is that IP Mobile protocols are not necessarily run or supported by the host CPU, but are internal to the nomadic router. By implementing this protocol as part of the translation function in the nomadic router, the nomadic router can encapsulate packets from the host computer and transmit them back to the fixed nomadic router, and these are sent (de-encapsulated) over the native network (domestic). ). The responses from the home network are received by the fixed nomadic router and are encapsulated and sent back to the nomadic router. When packets are transmitted between the nomadic router and the fixed nomadic router, the packets are encrypted and sent using the protocol known as Internet Tunneling Protocol. As the nomadic router provides location independence and the fixed nomadic router sends all packets from a corresponding host to the host computer through the nomadic router, any change in the location, failure of a network link or host computer attachment point mobile, does not cause any open session to be lost. This session loss prevention is possible since the fixed nomadic router is passed through the mobile host computer and the nomadic router is passed through the home network. The translation functions of the fixed nomadic router and the nomadic router hide the link and the network loss of the application and transport session. Several modifications will become possible for those experts in this field after grasping the teachings of the present exposition, without departing from the scope of the same.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention has wide application in the field of electronic data communications using computers and other devices.

Claims (54)

1. CLAIMS; 1. A translator to connect a terminal to a communication system, the terminal is configured to connect to a domestic device, the translator comprises: an interface to connect to the terminal and the system; and a processor connected to the interface, the processor is configured to appear as the home device before the terminal and appear as the terminal before the system.
2. 2. A translator according to claim 1, wherein: the terminal has a permanent address; the translator has a translator's address; the terminal transmits the output data to the system that includes the permanent address as the source address; and the processor translates the output data by replacing the permanent address with the translator's address as the source address.
3. 3. A translator according to claim 2, wherein the permanent address is an Internet Protocol (IP) address.
4. 4. A translator according to claim 2, wherein the translator's address is an Internet Protocol (IP) address.
5. 5. A translator according to claim 2, wherein the processor determines the permanent address from the data transmitted by the terminal.
6. 6. A translator according to claim 5, wherein: the terminal transmits to the translator a Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) packet that includes the permanent address; and the processor determines the permanent address from the ARP packet.
7. 7. A translator according to claim 5, wherein: the processor is configured to operate in a promiscuous mode where it translates all the output data; and the processor determines the permanent address from the output data.
8. 8. A translator according to claim 1, wherein: the translator has a hardware address; and the processor is configured to adapt the terminal to transmit the output data to the translator's hardware address.
9. 9. A translator according to claim 1, wherein: the terminal has a permanent address; the translator has a translator's address; the translator receives the input data from the system that includes the translator's address as the destination address; and the processor translates the input data by replacing the address of the translator with the permanent address as the source address.
10. A translator according to claim 1, wherein: the terminal has a permanent address; the translator has a translator's address; the terminal transmits the output data to the system that includes the permanent address as the source address; and the processor translates the output data by replacing the permanent address with the address of the translator as the source address; the translator receives the input data from the system that includes the translator's address as the destination address; and the processor translates the input data by replacing the address of the translator with the permanent address as the source address.
11. 11. A translator according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to automatically configure with the system.
12. 12. A translator according to claim 11, wherein the processor is configured by itself with the system using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).
13. 13. A translator according to claim 11, wherein the processor is configured likewise with the system when operating in a promiscuous mode where it accepts all the input data and extracts the information from the system.
14. 14. A translator according to claim 11, wherein the system comprises at least one translator that broadcasts information packets that include system information; and the processor is configured likewise with the system when receiving and extracting information from the system from the information packages.
15. 15. A translator according to claim 11, where the processor is configured to manually enter system information into it.
16. 16. A translator according to claim 1, wherein the translator is configured to communicate with another translator that is connected to the home device and is configured to function as a home agent.
17. 17. A translator according to claim 1, comprising a hardware device incorporating the interface and the processor, the hardware device is connected to the terminal and to the system.
18. 18. A translator according to claim 17, wherein the hardware device is attached to the terminal.
19. 19. A translator according to claim 17, wherein: the system comprises a component; and a hardware device attached to the component.
20. 20. A translator according to claim 17, wherein: the system comprises a network; and a hardware device that is connected to a point in the network.
21. 21. A translator according to claim 17, wherein: the system comprises a network; and the hardware device is connected between the terminal and the network.
22. 22. A translator according to claim 17, wherein the hardware device comprises a card that includes a memory in which the software that implements the processor and a computing device for running the software is stored.
23. 23. A translator according to claim 22, wherein the card is configured to be connected within the terminal.
24. 24. A translator according to claim 17, wherein the hardware device comprises an integrated circuit that includes a memory in which the software that implements the processor and a computing device for running the software is stored.
25. 25. A translator according to claim 24, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to be connected within the terminal.
26. 26. A translator according to claim 1, comprising software that is stored and running in the terminal.
27. 27. A translator according to claim 1, comprising software that is stored and running in a component of the system.
28. 28. A translator according to claim 27, wherein the system comprises a network in which the component is connected.
29. 29. A translator according to claim 1, wherein the interface comprises a terminal interface for connecting to the terminal and a system interface for connecting to the system.
30. 30. A translator according to claim 29, wherein the processor is connected between the terminal interface and the system interface.
31. 31. A translator according to claim 29, wherein: the system interface is connected to the system; the terminal interface is unused; and the terminal is connected to the system.
32. 32. A translator according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to translate Transport Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / LP) packets.
33. 33. A translator according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to have filtering capability.
34. 34. A translator according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to use alternate communication devices in the system that are transparent to the terminal.
35. 35. A translator according to claim 1, wherein the translator is configured to provide the prevention of session loss to the terminal in the event of a failure.
36. 36. A translator according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to perform the dynamic creation and preservation of a wireless network with the ability to route a data packet through multiple transparent wireless reflexes to the terminal.
37. 37. A translator according to claim 1, wherein: the system comprises first and second networks; the terminal and the translator are connected to the first network; and the processor is configured to appear as the second network before the terminal and to appear as the terminal before the second network.
38. 38. A translator according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to perform the data protocol conversion.
39. 39. A translator according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to respond to the request for data about a remote source that was stored locally in cache in the translator.
40. 40. A translator according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to provide file synchronization through the system.
41. 41. A translator according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to perform database synchronization between a plurality of terminals.
42. 42. A translator according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to provide electronic mail with file replication and reconciliation without the terminal having to request replication or reconciliation.
43. 43. A translator according to claim 1, wherein: the terminal transmits the output data to the system including the first address as the destination address; the translator stores a second address that corresponds to the first address; and the translator stores the output data by replacing the first address with the second address as the destination address.
44. 44. A translator according to claim 43, wherein: the translator receives the input data from the system that includes the second address as the source address; and the translator translates the input data by replacing the second address with the first address as the source address.
45. 45. A digital storage medium for storing a computer program that implements the functionality of a translator to perform the translation of data between a terminal that is configured to connect to a home device, with a system, the program is configured so that the translator it appears as the domestic device before the terminal and appears as the terminal before the system.
46. 46. A means according to claim 45, wherein: the terminal has a permanent address; the translator has a translator's address; the terminal transmits the output data to the system that includes the permanent address as the source address; and the translator is configured to translate the output data by replacing the permanent address with the translator's address as the source address.
47. 47. A medium according to claim 46, wherein the permanent address is an Internet Protocol (IP) address.
48. 48. A medium according to claim 46, wherein the address of the translator is an Internet Protocol (IP) address.
49. 49. A means according to claim 46, wherein the program is configured to determine the permanent address from the data transmitted by the terminal.
50. 50. A means according to claim 49, wherein: the terminal transmits an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) packet that includes the permanent address to the translator; and the translator is configured to determine the permanent address from the ARP packet.
51. 51. A means according to claim 49, wherein: the processor is configured to operate in a promiscuous mode where it translates all the output data; and the translator is configured to determine the permanent address from the output sides.
52. 52. A means according to claim 45, wherein: the translator has a translator equipment address; and the translator is configured to adapt the terminal to transmit the output data to the translator's hardware address.
53. 53. A means according to claim 45, wherein: the terminal has a permanent address; the translator has a translator's address; the translator receives the input data from the system that includes the translator's address as the destination address; and the translator is configured to translate the output data by replacing the translator's address with the permanent address as the destination address.
54. 54. A medium according to claim 45, wherein: the terminal has a permanent address; the translator has a translator's address; the terminal transmits the output data to the system that includes the permanent address as the source address; and the translator is configured to translate the output data by replacing the permanent address with the translator address as the source address; the translator receives the input data from the system that includes the translator's address as the destination address; and the translator is configured to translate the input data by replacing the translator's address with the permanent address as the destination address. SUY OF THE INVENTION A nomadic router or translator (10) that enables a portable computer or another portable terminal (12) that is configured to connect to a home network, which is going to connect to a location on the Internet or in another system. digital data communication (14). The router (10) automatically and transparently configures the terminal (12) to the new location and processes the input and output data. The router (10) includes a processor (11) that is passed through the home network to the terminal (12) and passed as the terminal (12) to the communication system (14). The terminal (12) has a permanent address, the router (10) has a router or translator address, and the terminal (12) transmits the output data to the system (14) that includes the permanent address as the source address. The processor (11) translates the output data replacing the permanent address with the address of the router as the source address. The terminal (12) receives the input data from the system (14) which includes the address of the router as the destination address and the processor (11) translates the input data replacing the address of the router with the permanent address as the destination address . Alternatively, the terminal (12) can be connected directly to a point in the local network (14) and the router (10) is connected to another point in the network (14) .. The router (10) can be used to carry out several applications of communication among which include: nomadic email, network file synchronizer, database synchronizer, instant network, nomadic internet and trade show router and can also be used as a fixed nomadic router.