Ethernet adapting apparatus

1. An Ethernet adapting apparatus for data transfer between a standard Ethernet data pump and an Ethernet medium access controller via telecommunication medium, comprising:

(a) a dual mode media independent interface which emulates in a PHY-mode the standard Ethernet medium access controller and which emulates in a MAC-mode the Ethernet medium access controller;

(b) a switching device for setting the dual mode media independent interface in the PHY-mode or in the MAC-mode;

(c) a data buffer for storing at least one Ethernet data package to be transferred between the standard Ethernet data pump and the Ethernet medium access controller; and

(d) a 10BASES® data modem connected to the telecommunication medium, wherein the 10BASES® data modem reframes the data stored in the data buffer to 10BASES® data frames sent via the telecommunication medium; and

wherein the dual mode media independent interface comprises a serial management interface connectable via a SMI-data line to an Ethernet medium access controller or a standard Ethernet data pump for the exchange of SMI-data frames including SMI-messages, and a data flow interface connectable via a data bus to an Ethernet medium access controller or a standard Ethernet data pump for the exchange of Ethernet data packages.

2. The Ethernet adapting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the telecommunication medium is a telephone line.

3. The Ethernet adapting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the serial management interface circuit comprises:

a deframing circuit for deframing the SMI data frames supplied via the SMI data line,

a decoder for decoding the SMI messages, and

a set of SMI registers.

4. The Ethernet adapting apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the SMI registers comprise at least:

a command register,

a status register,

an identification code register,

a negotiation advertisement register, and

an auto-negotiation partner ability register.

5. The Ethernet adapting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the serial management interface is connected to a central processing unit.

6. The Ethernet adapting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the data flow interface circuit is connected via control lines to a data buffer control circuit.

7. The Ethernet adapting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the telecommunications medium is a wireless telecommunications channel.

8. The Ethernet adapting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the telecommunication medium is an optical telecommunication channel.

9. The Ethernet adapting apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the register content of any SMI-register is mirrored.