Abstract: A local area communication system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of users connected to respective busses. A multiport bridge router recognizes destination addresses and diverts packets from one bus to another. Repeaters for several users may be formed on a single integrated circuit.

Abstract: An expandable local area hub network is provided by the present invention. The network comprises a plurality of hubs interconnected for direct communication. Each hub includes a plurality of ports for interfacing with remote stations, wherein the remote stations make requests that packets be transmitted on a memory coupled to the plurality of hubs. In use, one of the plurality of hubs is designated as a temporary controlling hub having controlling access to the memory bus to transmit packets on the memory bus. The temporary controlling hub relinquishing access to the memory bus when the temporary controlling hub has no requests to dispatch a packet on said memory bus.

Abstract: An expandable local area hub network is provided by the present invention. The network comprises a plurality of hubs connected along a common memory bus. Each hub includes a plurality of ports for interfacing with remote stations. An arbiter is coupled to the hubs for granting a hub controlling access to the memory bus to transmit a packet on the memory bus. In use, the arbiter receives requests from the hubs and designates a hub, based upon an internal protocol, temporary bus master hub by granting the temporary bus master hub controlling access to the memory bus.