Abstract: A host computer communicatively linked with a virtual circuit network and communicatively linked with a device over a local area network receives a virtual circuit message from the virtual circuit network, such as an asynchronous transfer mode network. A data structure associating a virtual circuit of the virtual circuit network with the device is referenced, and based on the association, the virtual circuit message is passed to the device over the local area network. The data structure may be a table containing an entry associating the virtual circuit with the device or with the network address of the device.

Abstract: A host computer communicatively linked with a virtual circuit network and communicatively linked with a device over a local area network receives a virtual circuit message from the virtual circuit network, such as an asynchronous transfer mode network. A data structure associating a virtual circuit of the virtual circuit network with the device is referenced, and based on the association, the virtual circuit message is passed to the device over the local area network. The data structure may be a table containing an entry associating the virtual circuit with the device or with the network address of the device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for abstracting device driver development by layering certain functionality. A driver layer encapsulates device commands and data within a format that is independent of the type of connection between the device and a host computer. Once encapsulated, the device commands and data pass through an intermediate layer responsible for transferring the encapsulated device commands and data to a connection-specific layer. The connection-specific layer then places the encapsulated device commands and data on the particular connection that couples the device and host computer. A single driver layer, potentially provided by an operating system, can thus operate a plurality of devices. Accordingly, hardware developers can be freed from the burden of writing the numerous host-based device drivers that are otherwise required to support an increasing number of connections between devices and host computers, specifically exemplified by improved bus and networking technologies.

Abstract: A method of reporting an event to a monitoring station in a network of communication switching exchanges comprised of monitoring in each exchange for events to be reported, upon detection of the event, the exchange in which the event occurred automatically dialing a gateway network node to which a network monitoring station is connected, upon the network node responding to the automatic dialing, sending at least one DTMF signal containing a report of the nature of the event and an identification of the exchange in which the event occurred to the network node for provision to the network monitoring station.

Abstract: A method of resource management for elements interfacing a communication control system is comprised of firstly providing a queue list containing a sequence of fields. Each field contains at least the number of a queue in which the element is contained. A table of queue records is provided, each containing at least a head pointer to a first element in the queue list. A record of the table is accessed, and the head pointer stored therein is retrieved. The element number represented by the head pointer is accessed for use by the control system.

Abstract: A method of maintaining directory data in a switching system network having plural switching systems and a centralized directory data management system in which local directory data is stored at each switching system, A copy of directory data of all the switching systems is stored at the management system. Directory data entries of the directory data stored at the management system are associated with groups of switching systems. Data entries associated within each group are downloaded to the switching systems designated in that group.