Abstract: Data is transferred from a host system to a subsystem connected to the host by a system bus in an efficient manner using one or more virtual first in first out (FIFO) registers in host memory and a corresponding set of virtual FIFOs located in the subsystem memory. A transmission controller controls the transfer of data from the host FIFOs to the subsystem FIFOs while the subsystem processor reads and processes data from the subsystem FIFO. By accumulating data in the host FIFOs before transfer to the subsystem, overhead associated with starting and stopping data transfers over the system bus is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A method for dynamically determining a media type of a LAN to which a network device is connected, includes executing at least one network interface driver which supports a predefined network media type, and which has one or more configuration tables and one or more logical boards for processing communication packets having different frame types. Each configuration table is associated with one of the boards, which each includes a frame type identifying value that identifies a combination of frame type and media type for packets processed by the corresponding board. A multiplexer software module is executed, which interfaces between the network interface driver and one or more protocol stacks, and which routes packets from the network interface driver to respective protocol stacks.

Abstract: A shared keyboard and system ROM uses a single ROM for both the keyboard and the system operating system information (BIOS). The shared ROM is never simultaneously used for both of these functions. At initial boot-up, the system processor executes from the shared ROM to copy the system BIOS information to the system Random Access Memory DRAM. Once this copying has been completed, the shared ROM then is used by the keyboard subsystem. Different address ranges are employed in the shared ROM for the keyboard information and for the system BIOS.

Abstract: A data transmission system between a computer bus and a large number of data storage units connected to one another by a specific connection to which the system is physically connected, including a central microprocessor running an operating system; and frame transfer capability including a data storage memory located between the bus and the connection. The operating system is associated with at least one application and includes at least one input/output microprocessor connected to the memory and to the connection. The application includes an initialization process; several adaptation processes each associated with a storage unit to adapt the protocols used on the buses and connection; and a task management process authorizing the input/output microprocessor to transfer the commands and the data corresponding to them from the memory to the connection and vice versa, on a message of the adaptation process.