Modem relay over packed based network

Abstract

A method of performing a negotiation session on a modem connection. The method includes receiving a plurality of negotiation signals from the source modem, by a first gateway, forwarding at least some of the received negotiation signals from the first gateway to a second gateway, over a packet based network, receiving, by the first gateway, responses to the forwarded negotiation signals from the second gateway, forwarding the responses from the second gateway to the source modem, by the first gateway, and transmitting from the first gateway to the source modem, response signals to at least some of the received negotiation signals, without receiving a response to the at least some of the signals from the second gateway.

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       51 . A method of handling signals passing on a modem connection, by a gateway which connects a packet based segment and a switched segment of the connection, comprising:
 listening to signals passing on the connection;   identifying on the connection a modem identification signal which notifies that the connection is going to carry modem signals;   operating in a first state, in which signals are transferred from the switched segment to the packet based segment without performing demodulation, after the identifying of the modem identification signal; and   operating in a second state, in which signals transferred from the switched segment to the packet based segment are demodulated, after operating in the first state.   
   
   
       52 . A method according to  claim 1 , comprising deciphering the contents of at least one of the signals passing on the connection, while the gateway operates in the first state. 
   
   
       53 . A method according to  claim 2 , comprising moving from the first state to the second state responsive to the contents of at least one of the deciphered signals. 
   
   
       54 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein moving from the first state to the second state comprises moving at a point determined responsive to the identified signals. 
   
   
       55 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein moving from the first state to the second state comprises moving after completion of a V.8 negotiation phase. 
   
   
       56 . A method according to  claim 1 , comprising moving from the first state to the second state a predetermined time from the beginning of the connection. 
   
   
       57 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the deciphered signals comprise signals in accordance with the V.8 protocol. 
   
   
       58 . A method of handling signals passing on a modem connection, by a gateway which connects a packet based segment and a switched segment of the connection, comprising:
 operating in a first state, in which signals are transferred from the switched segment to the packet based segment without performing demodulation, after the identifying of the modem identification signal; and   deciphering the contents of at least one of the signals passing on the connection, while the gateway operates in the first state.   
   
   
       59 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein deciphering the contents of at least one of the signals comprises deciphering the contents of a signal in accordance with the V.8 protocol. 
   
   
       60 . A method according to  claim 8 , comprising determining whether to operate in a second state, in which signals transferred from the switched segment to the packet based segment are demodulated, responsive to the deciphered signals. 
   
   
       61 . A method according to  claim 10 , comprising moving to the second state if the deciphered signals indicate the use of a protocol supported by the gateway for transfer of data on the connection. 
   
   
       62 . A method of establishing a modem connection over a hybrid network path, comprising:
 selecting at least two gateways to perform format conversion of signals transmitted between segments of the modem connection over the hybrid network path; and   performing a negotiation session between the selected at least two gateways, so as to select a number of modem tasks to be applied by the gateways to the signals transmitted between the selected gateways.   
   
   
       63 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein performing the negotiation session comprises determining whether the gateways are to compress and decompress the data in the signals in accordance with a modem-compression protocol. 
   
   
       64 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein performing the negotiation session comprises determining whether the gateways are to modulate and demodulate the signals of the modem connection. 
   
   
       65 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein performing the negotiation session comprises determining whether the gateways are to check the signals of the modem connection for correctness. 
   
   
       66 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein performing the negotiation session comprises determining whether the gateways are to perform error correction. 
   
   
       67 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein performing the negotiation session comprises selecting a same set of tasks to be performed by each of the at least two gateways.