Abstract: In one general aspect, a network communication unit is disclosed that includes a cryptographic record parsing offload engine that has an input and an output. The unit also includes a processor that includes cryptographic handshake logic and has an input operatively connected to the output of the cryptographic record parsing offload engine.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a stream-based memory circuit is disclosed that includes physical storage elements and at least a first physical access port. A stream-based access controller is operatively connected to the physical storage elements and to the access port. The controller includes function-specific hardware logic operative to access data as streams in the physical memory in response to stream-based access commands at the access port.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a network communication unit is disclosed that includes connection servicing logic that is responsive to transport-layer headers and is operative to service virtual, error-free network connections. A programmable parser is responsive to the connection servicing logic and is operative to parse application-level information received by the connection servicing logic for at least a first of the connections. Also included is application processing logic that is responsive to the parser and operative to operate on information received through at least the first of the connections based on parsing results from the parser.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a network communication unit is disclosed that includes connection servicing logic that is responsive to transport-layer headers and is operative to service virtual, error-free network connections. A programmable parser is responsive to the connection servicing logic and is operative to parse application-level information received by the connection servicing logic for at least a first of the connections. Also included is application processing logic that is responsive to the parser and operative to operate on information received through at least the first of the connections based on parsing results from the parser.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a network communication unit is disclosed that includes a cryptographic record parsing offload engine that has an input and an output. The unit also includes a processor that includes cryptographic handshake logic and has an input operatively connected to the output of the cryptographic record parsing offload engine.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a stream-based memory circuit is disclosed that includes physical storage elements and at least a first physical access port. A stream-based access controller is operatively connected to the physical storage elements and to the access port. The controller includes function-specific hardware logic operative to access data as streams in the physical memory in response to stream-based access commands at the access port.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a network communication unit is disclosed that includes connection servicing logic that is responsive to transport-layer headers and is operative to service virtual, error-free network connections. A programmable parser is responsive to the connection servicing logic and is operative to parse application-level information received by the connection servicing logic for at least a first of the connections. Also included is application processing logic that is responsive to the parser and operative to operate on information received through at least the first of the connections based on parsing results from the parser.

Abstract: A multistage ATM switch, method and system with switch elements with two input/outputs switchable to two other input/outputs. The switch elements are arranged connected to define a matrix with an input stage an output stage and at least one an intermediate stage. The multi stage switch inputs are presented with address information for data, the address information indicates requests for one of several outputs of said the multi stage switch. The requests are broadcast into the multi stage switch. At each stage the requests are remembered, merged and propagated to connected switching elements of a next stage. At each output of the multi stage switch grants a request if traffic can be accepted and propagates the requested grant to connected switching elements. At each switching element, upon receiving a request grant, the request grant is propagated to an input that requested the granted output port.

Abstract: A computer network system containing a concentrator with a backplane that has a plurality of lines. The backplane contains data lines and control lines for managing and organizing the transfer of data between modules in the concentrator. The system contains intelligent devices that allow the selection of transmitting modules to occur at the same time as actual data transfer is going on between other modules. This is preferably done in a round robin arbitration process where, while data is being transferred by a first module, a bus arbitration device is placing addresses of modules which sequentially follow the transmitting module onto the control lines. Modules will see their address on the control lines, and if they have a packet to transmit, they then reserve the right to transmit after the presently transmitting module is finished. In this way the selection of the next module to transmit is performed in parallel, and does not slow down, the transfer of data between modules.

Abstract: A local net area network, or LAN, configuration is provided with a multiple generic LAN channel architecture which can be logically and dynamically changed. The configuration control can be applied to each module of the network and to each port of a module of a LAN hub. The architecture provides multiple LAN protocols to be used simultaneously, as needed, through protocol specific functions. Industry standard protocol such as: token bus, token ring, and fiber distributed data interface (FDDI), can be implemented using the generic channel architecture and its characteristics providing respective network functions. The architecture also provides a digital collision detection method and provides information necessary for precise network statistics monitoring. The token passing ring architecture provides a logical ring formation within the generic channel. A token passing bus architecture uses modified Ethernet.TM.

Abstract: A local net area network, or LAN, configuration is provided with a multiple generic LAN channel architecture which can be logically and dynamically changed. The configuration control can be applied to each module of the network and to each port of a module of a LAN hub. The architecture provides multiple LAN protocols to be used simultaneously, as needed, through protocol specific functions. Industry standard protocol such as: token bus, token ring, and fiber distributed data interface (FDDI), can be implemented using the generic channel architecture and its characteristics providing respective network functions. The architecture also provides a digital collision detection method and provides information necessary for precise network statistics monitoring. The token passing ring architecture provides a logical ring formation within the generic channel. A token passing bus architecture uses modified Ethernet.TM.