Abstract: A method and apparatus for an improvement of a computer network by bringing commonality down to the device driver level. The computer network having at least one processor node having a circuit control module and a plurality of dedicated combinations of device driver and device object. Each of the dedicated combinations is capable of exchanging data between a circuit control module and one device type of a plurality of device types. The dedicated combinations of the device driver and the device object are replaced by a generic device driver and generic device agent capable of exchanging data between the circuit control module and any one of the plurality of device types.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a computer system is used for implementing an extended distributed recovery block fault tolerance scheme. The computer system includes a supervisory node, an active node and a standby node. Each of the nodes has a primary routine, an alternate routine and an acceptance test for testing the output of the routines. Each node also includes a device driver, a monitor and a node manager for determining the operational configuration of the node. The supervisory node coordinates the operation of the active and standby nodes. The primary and alternate routines are implemented with an application task through a plurality of agent objects operating as finite state machines. A reliable data link extends between the monitors of the active and standby nodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an improvement of a computer network by bringing commonality down to the device driver level. The computer network having at least one processor node having a circuit control module and a plurality of dedicated combinations of device driver and device object. Each of the dedicated combinations is capable of exchanging data between a circuit control module and one device type of a plurality of device types. The dedicated combinations of the device driver and the device object are replaced by a generic device driver and generic device agent capable of exchanging data between the circuit control module and any one of the plurality of device types.

Abstract: A collection of methods of operating in a point-to-multipoint communication system with a base station and a plurality of remote stations, wherein the communication system maximizes the number of potential connections to each multipoint destination through the creation of an extended Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cell that examines the switch tag and generates an embedded output channel identifier, wherein the output channel identifier is utilized as an index for broadcast domains and selection of a Temporary Remote Path Identifier (TRPI) comprised of a series of remote station identifiers.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods wherein communication link redundancy may be provided which is optimized to the primary links. Specifically, a redundant link portion of a communication system may be deployed to provide redundant links for a primary link portion of the communication system having substantially greater information communication capacity. However, through the use of isolation of portions of the primary link capacity, such as through the preferred embodiment sectors, sufficient redundant link capacity may be maintained economically. According to a preferred embodiment, a single redundant sector may be coextensive with a plurality of primary sectors and, thus, be relied upon for providing redundant links for any such primary sector. Preferred embodiments allow for the subsectoring of primary sectors while maintaining the configuration of a redundant sector corresponding thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a computer system is used for implementing an extended distributed recovery block fault tolerance scheme. The computer system includes a supervisory node, an active node and a standby node. Each of the nodes has a primary routine, an alternate routine and an acceptance test for testing the output of the routines. Each node also includes a device driver, a monitor and a node manager for determining the operational configuration of the node. The supervisory node coordinates the operation of the active and standby nodes. The primary and alternate routines are implemented with an application task through a plurality of agent objects operating as finite state machines. A reliable data link extends between the monitors of the active and standby nodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a computer system is used for implementing an extended distributed recovery block fault tolerance scheme. The computer system includes a supervisory node, an active node and a standby node. Each of the nodes has a primary routine, an alternate routine and an acceptance test for testing the output of the routines. Each node also includes a device driver, a monitor and a node manager for determining the operational configuration of the node. The supervisory node coordinates the operation of the active and standby nodes. The primary and alternate routines are implemented with an application task through a plurality of agent objects operating as finite state machines. A reliable data link extends between the monitors of the active and standby nodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a computer system is used for implementing an extended distributed recovery block fault tolerance scheme. The computer system includes a supervisory node, an active node and a standby node. Each of the nodes has a primary routine, an alternate routine and an acceptance test for testing the output of the routines. Each node also includes a device driver, a monitor and a node manager for determining the operational configuration of the node. The supervisory node coordinates the operation of the active and standby nodes. The primary and alternate routines are implemented with an application task through a plurality of agent objects operating as finite state machines. A reliable data link extends between the monitors of the active and standby nodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an improvement of a computer network by bringing commonality down to the device driver level. The computer network having at least one processor node having a circuit control module and a plurality of dedicated combinations of device driver and device object. Each of the dedicated combinations is capable of exchanging data between a circuit control module and one device type of a plurality of device types. The dedicated combinations of the device driver and the device object are replaced by a generic device driver and generic device agent capable of exchanging data between the circuit control module and any one of the plurality of device types.

Abstract: A collection of methods of operating in a point-to-multipoint communication system with a base station and a plurality of remote stations, wherein the communication system maximizes the number of potential connections to each multipoint destination through the creation of an extended Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cell that examines the switch tag and generates an embedded output channel identifier, wherein the output channel identifier is utilized as an index for broadcast domains and selection of a Temporary Remote Path Identifier (TRPI) comprised of a series of remote station identifiers.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods wherein communication link redundancy may be provided which is optimized to the primary links. Specifically, a redundant link portion of a communication system may be deployed to provide redundant links for a primary link portion of the communication system having substantially greater information communication capacity. However, through the use of isolation of portions of the primary link capacity, such as through the preferred embodiment sectors, sufficient redundant link capacity may be maintained economically. According to a preferred embodiment, a single redundant sector may be coextensive with a plurality of primary sectors and, thus, be relied upon for providing redundant links for any such primary sector. Preferred embodiments allow for the subsectoring of primary sectors while maintaining the configuration of a redundant sector corresponding thereto.