INFORMATION ROUTING DEVICE HAVING AN AUTO-CONFIGURATION FEATURE

The present invention facilitates communications between a first network and a second network using an information routing device having an auto-configuration feature. The auto-configuration feature negotiates what authentication protocol will be used when the networks transfer information. Once the authentication protocol is negotiated by the device, the device intercepts and stores information transferred between networks. In this manner, the device can emulate a first network when coupled to a second network by providing the necessary stored information directly to the second network, and vice versa.