A device, such as an ADSL modem, acts as a proxy for service endpoints in a data network by responding to service endpoint advertisement messages pursuant to Point to Point Protocol (PPP) over Ethernet (PPPoE), where the terminating equipment located at those service endpoints do not support PPPoE services....http://www.google.com.au/patents/US6711162?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6711162 - Method and apparatus for providing proxy service, route selection, and protocol conversion for service endpoints within data networks
