Many of the devices within the CallerID.com product line will be available with a built-in network interface card, named Ethernet Link (EL). These products will function virtually the same as standard serial devices with the exception that communication between these EL devices and PCs will be via the Ethernet. These EL devices can send data to multiple PCs within a Local Area Network (LAN), or used to transmit data to a remote PC anywhere on the Internet.

EL devices transmit data in UDP packets each time a telephone event occurs. The data contained within the UDP packet consists of three distinct fields; The Unit number, Serial number, and a stream of ASCII characters. The stream conforms exactly to the standard CallerID.com data formats.

In a typical application, an EL device will be located near the incoming telephone lines and an Ethernet connection. It monitors telephone traffic and when an event occurs (such as a Caller ID signal) it sends a packet of data out the LAN. Multiple computers connected to the LAN will have an application running which will capture the packet, parse the data fields, and process the information. Many programs will use the Caller ID number to look up a customer record in a database and, in turn, “Pop-Up” the customer’s information.

The EL device must be setup with the proper IP address, MAC address, and Port number. Initial setup is accomplished via the Ethernet with provided software using UDP “broadcast” packets. For software companies that elect to build in their own setup program, the command language is explained under the heading Ethernet Link Setup below.