Abstract: The present ATM switch includes a plurality of controllers, each of which contains a plurality of cell buffers to store cells for each VC. A plurality of arbitration buffers store pointers, on a VC priority level basis, to order the processing of cell transmissions. The arbitration buffers are processed in priority order, with an interrupt being generated by a timer associated with each arbitration buffer, other than the highest priority arbitration buffer, to ensure that each arbitration buffer is periodically processed.

Abstract: A method of establishing and maintaining a connection through an asynchronous cell-based network having a plurality of switching nodes, comprises setting up a first bi-directional path between source and destination endpoints through one or more switching nodes, setting up an alternate bi-directional path between the endpoints, and switching from the first path to the alternate path by first causing the destination endpoint to send cells back to the source endpoint over the alternate path while still receiving cells over the first path. When the source endpoint receives an indication that the destination endpoint has transferred to the alternate path, it sends cells from the source endpoint to the destination endpoint to complete the transfer to the alternate path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides greater flexibility, scalability and manageability when multiple services are being supported by a Carrier Scale Internetworking (CSI) system by including processing that detects when connectivity to an Route Server Instance (RSI) host that is supporting an active RSI has failed and provides a replacement RSI host from a redundancy set. In additional, forwarders (i.e., core forwarder, edge forwarder, and/or default forwarder), upon detecting a change in the RSI host, connect to the new RSI host. RSI hosts in the redundancy set use a redundancy chain protocol to select the new RSI host to function as the active RSI. Note that an RSI host may be a virtual entity on a routing service control point (RSCP) that indicates that this RSI Host has the capability to become an active RSI, wherein an active RSI is an RSI Host that is running the RSI.

Abstract: An information distribution system with an architecture that facilitates efficient distribution of a plurality of information asset data to a plurality of different requesting users substantially simultaneously. Fundamental components of the system include a plurality of mass storage devices that store information assets, mass storage device interface units, a switching unit, a centralized control unit and a gateway to the users. Information transfer between various components of the system is accomplished through a plurality of communication channels according to a circuit switching protocol. According to one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of communication channels are provided between the mass storage devices and the switching unit such that information asset data may be transferred, in substantially a single format and according to substantially a single protocol, from the mass storage devices directly through the switch and to the requesting user.

Abstract: A method of measuring the Round Trip Time (RTT) if a Virtual Circuit (VC) utilizing the Traffic Management mechanism of ATM. The RTT is measured in real time individually for each new opened VC and/or for existing VC routes in the network. In addition, the RTT measurement method of the present invention can be used to determine the CRM parameter for a VC on an end to end basis, e.g., user to user or LEC to LEC, so as to achieve better performance of the network. The invention comprises a first embodiment that utilizes the SN field of a RM cell in measuring the RTT and a second embodiment that does not utilize the SN field in measuring the RTT. In addition, an application of the method is presented in determining the CRM parameter within the TM descriptor.

Abstract: A network access device includes a cell buffer memory (54) and segmentation and reassembly (SAR) logic (40) between multiple local area network (LAN) interface logic blocks (33, 36) and logic (56) interfacing with a cell-based network such as ATM. The cell buffer memory can be programmably partitioned into distinct buffer regions, each being associated with a respective LAN and with a respective set of virtual connections on the cell-based network. The SAR logic segments received frames into groups of cells, stores each group of cells into the buffer region associated with the respective LAN, and transfers the groups of cells from each buffer region to the cell-based-network interface logic via the associated virtual connections. The SAR logic and the cell memory are shared among multiple LAN bridges implemented by the LAN interface logic blocks and the cell-based-network interface logic, while traffic from the different bridges is kept separate.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a Domain Name Router (DNR) that uses domain names to route data sent to a destination on a network (e.g., a stub network). Each corporate entity or stub network can be assigned one or a small number of global addresses. Each of the hosts on the stub network can be assigned a local address. When a source entity sends data to a destination entity with a local address, the data is sent to the DNR using a global address. The source entity embeds the destination's domain name and its own domain name inside the data. The DNR extracts the destination's domain name from the data, translates that domain name to a local address and sends the data to the destination.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, system, and apparatus for providing communication control. The invention includes a method in which signaling is processed externally to a switch before it is applied by the network elements. The processor is able to select network characteristics and signal the network elements based the selections. A network employing the processing method is also included, as well as a signaling system that employs the processing method.

Abstract: A system and associated method for delivering a data stream to an audience member a communications device associated with an audience member. A hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network is connected to the communications device for communicating data with the audience member. A synchronization processor receives broadcast event data of event objects of an event, live event data of event objects of the event, and static event data of event objects of the event. The synchronization processor generates a synchronized data stream having broadcast, live, and static event data for an event object of the event. The synchronization processor transmits the synchronized data stream to the communications device for access by the audience member via the HFC network. The synchronization processor processes the broadcast event data to determine an event object being broadcasted. The synchronization processor selects the live event data and the statice event data corresponding to the determined event object.

Abstract: The invention is an ATM system to route DS0 traffic from T1 Extended Superframe (ESF)or Superframe (SF) systems that use robbed bit signaling. The invention is able to route the call selecting the ATM VPI/VCI that routes the call within the ATM system. DS0s with robbed bit signaling are transported transparently by the ATM system.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting system capable of causing any of physical channels selected by a broadcaster to be received as one of the channels available to users which is different from the physical channel selected by the broadcaster. For each of programs of each of the channels available to said users, a program information record comprising PSI (program specific information) is stored in a data base. The broadcaster is permitted to include, in the PSI, channel mapping information whose mapping destination is a channel (or a program) to be received instead of the channel for which said program information is intended. The program information records is inserted in broadcast transport streams on schedule and, if necessary, immediately after the broadcaster have included the channel mapping information in the PSI data.

Abstract: The router, which serves as an egress of a first network, forms a frame out of a control frame, which is received through a virtual connection in the first network and is to be terminated at the router, and transmits the frame to a second network, i.e., to external of the first network. The router also forms a frame out of a data frame, which is received through the same virtual connection and is to be transferred through the router, and transfers the frame to the second network. The router, which serves as an ingress of a third network, receives the frame including the control frame, is able to change the information contained in another control frame to be transferred within the third network, based on the control information generated in the first network and contained in the received frame. Thus, each node in the networks can perform packet transfer control based not only on control/congestion information of its own network but also on control/congestion information of other networks.

Abstract: An ATM network system of the present invention contains a clock synchronization source and a plurality of nodes. In this ATM network system, a plurality of clock supply routes are set, which are used in receiving clocks from the clock synchronization source by each of the nodes. When each of the nodes detects a failure occurred in the presently used route, each of the nodes supplies a failure signal to other nodes which receive the clock supplied from the own node through this route, and further changes a route under use into another route. When each of the nodes receive the failure signals from other nodes, each of these nodes changes the route under use into another route.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is accomodating local connectionless information (data that is immediately transferred without establishing a path to a receive side), such as LAN data in a local area network, by an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network using a connection-oriented communication system (which makes data transfers after verifying that a path to the receive side has been established), thereby performing efficient, fast routing of connectionless information.

Abstract: A connection number converting device comprises a Contents Addressable Memory storing combinations of information including VPI and VCI numbers and connection type as well as system-inside numbers associated with the respective combinations of information, a CAM access unit for retrieving a translation table based on the type information and the VPI and VCI numbers acquired from an input ATM cell, and a system-inside number judging unit for estimating the retrieval result by the CAM access unit so to supply a desired system-inside number, the CAM access unit performing retrieval two times in a first retrieving method of retrieving the translation table based on the VPI number and the type information indicating a VP connection and in a second retrieving method of retrieving the translation table based on the VPI and VCI numbers and the type information indicating a VC connection.

Abstract: Data packets are transmitted over a communications link in an interleaved manner. The link comprises a series of time-division multiplexed (TDM) frames, each frame comprising a plurality of time slots, a time slot being shorter than a data packet. Data packets are transmitted over a series of the TDM frames, one time slot in each of the series of frames being used to transmit a portion of that data packet. Different ones of the data packets begin in different TDM frames. Received data packets are allocated a modified header for use over the communications link. The modified header has a shorter address than the address in the received packet header and the modified header can be split into a plurality of parts which are distributed across the length of the transmitted packet.

Abstract: A communications system includes a first switch and a second switch coupled to a packet-based network. A first set of network terminals are coupled to the first switch, and a second set of network terminals are coupled to the second switch. Each of the terminals is associated with a virtual terminal number (VTN). Each of the first and second switches store profile information associated with VTNs of the terminals. The profile information relate to the capabilities or features of the network terminals. The switches communicate signaling over a packet-based trunk, or virtual trunk, that is established on the packet-based network. Each switch sends messages to their associated terminals to establish media paths over the packet-based network to establish a call session.

Abstract: A switched telecommunication access system for providing video data to gateway devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently transporting DS-X traffic in packet form over an ATM or other packet network. Specifically, virtual connection or slot provisioning and/or cell concentration techniques are used to compact the amount of DS-X traffic broadcast between communications system devices such as the access mux and the communications switch and spare bandwidth. In provisioning, a configured DS-X loading of an end node supporting DS-X traffic is ascertained. In turn, a minimum number of virtual connections for bearing packetized DS-X traffic are established, either at communications system configuration or as needed. In concentration processing, a dynamic association between the virtual connections and the DS-X traffic is established, typically on a per frame basis. Only those digital channels entering the node within a given time frame which actually bear DS-X traffic will be assigned a slot within packet. Concentration may be augmented by provisioning to further reduce bandwidth requirements.

Abstract: An asymmetrical network for coupling customer-premises Internet hosts such as personal computers to the Internet. The head end of a CATV system has a high-bandwidth connection to the Internet. The down link connecting the personal computers to the Internet is the cables provided by the CATV system; the up link is a telephone connection to the head end. A router is connected to the down link by means of an RF modem, to the up link by means of an analog modern, and to a LAN which is connected to the Pcs. The router routes IP packets for the hosts that are received on the CATV cable to the hosts via the LAN; it routes IP packets from the hosts that are destined for the Internet to the head end via the telephone line. The asymmetrical network conserves IP addresses and addresses on the CATV cable by dynamically allocating the IP addresses for an RF modem's hosts and an address on the CATV cable for the RF modem in response to a request made by the RF modem via the telephone line.

Abstract: A distributed file server system has multiple data servers connected to stream data files continuously over a network to multiple clients. Data files are distributed across the data servers so that data blocks of the data files are stored at manage distributed portions of a schedule. Each data server sees a different portion of the schedule, but no one data server sees the whole schedule. The scheduler facilitates service of requested data streams from its corresponding data server according to a schedule portion that is available to the data server. The scheduler determines whether to insert a new data stream into the current slot it presently owns in its schedule portion, or to wait for a subsequent slot in the schedule based on a thrifty policy.

Abstract: An illustrative intelligent network and method for providing voice telephony over ATM and point-to-multipoint connectivity are provided that can provide significant advantages. A method for providing a point-to-multipoint service to control point-to-multipoint connections using an intelligent network and a switched virtual circuit over an ATM network includes receiving a request from a calling party to establish a point-to-multipoint connection, determining if the calling party is authorized to make point-to-multipoint connections, rejecting the request if the calling party is not authorized to establish point-to-multipoint connections, analyzing the request to determine if the bandwidth requested for the point-to-multipoint connection is within authorized bandwidth limits, and rejecting the request if the bandwidth requested is not within authorized bandwidth limits. An intelligent network for providing VToA and point-to-multipoint connectivity is also provided.

Abstract: Port cards in an ATM switch store parameters for virtual channel connections (VCCs) and virtual path connections (VPCs) in separate areas of a virtual connection parameter table (VCPT), the areas being defined by a VCC pointer and a VPC pointer. Also, a number of “free lists” are used to identify unused single locations (for VPCs) or chunks of locations (for sets of VCCs) that are available for re-allocation. Different free lists are used for different-sized sets of VCCs, i.e., sets configured to use different maximum numbers of VCI bits. When a new VPC is created, a VCPT location identified by an entry in the VPC free list is allocated, if such an entry exists. Otherwise a VCPT location is allocated by advancing the VPC pointer. De-allocation of a VPC entry proceeds in reverse order, i.e., the VPC area is shrunk by backing up the VPC pointer if possible, and if not the de-allocated entry is placed on the VPC free list.

Abstract: An ATM subnetwork, suitable for a low-cost home area network, comprises an interconnected mesh of simple ATM switches, end stations and multi-access buses implemented in fully-hardware configurations. Software for signalling and management functions does not reside in these devices, but rather is banished to computers outside the interconnected mesh. Specifically, an external controller acts a proxy for the simple ATM switches and performs all virtual channel connection set-up within the interconnected mesh. Additionally, proxy controllers manage each simple end station and proxy signalling agents permit standard ATM devices to be connected to the simple switches. These proxy processes communicate with the devices within the interconnected mesh via a control protocol of single cell messages delivered over dedicated permanent virtual circuits.

Abstract: A virtual private branch exchange (PBX) system that routes calls within a packet-switching network. Login information is received from a data device. The login information includes an alias identifying a user at the data device and a network address identifying the location of the data device on the packet-switching network. The virtual private branch exchange system associates the user's private branch exchange extension with the network address and routes calls to the user's (PBX) extension to the data device on the basis of the network address of the data device.

Abstract: There is disclosed, for use in an ATM network, a system for servicing an SVC connection between a first node and a second node operable to transmit and receive frame relay data frames, wherein the first node is coupled to an ATM access device incapable of providing to the first node support for switched virtual circuit (SVC) connections. The system comprises: 1) a connection controller capable of establishing a fixed connection between the ATM access device and a selected intermediate node in the ATM network; and 2) a frame relay proxy controller disposed at the selected intermediate node and adapted for communicating via the fixed connection established by the connection controller, wherein the frame relay proxy controller receives SVC signaling information from the first node via the fixed connection and establishes an SVC connection with the second node.

Abstract: A novel virtual port method and apparatus for use in the communication between multiple nodes in a network system is disclosed. Particularly, the virtual port concept is implemented in a switching unit having a plurality of physical ports. According to the present invention, at least one virtual port can be defined by the user to represent a corresponding number of group of physical ports. In this case, a single virtual port identification can be used by the network manager to identify all the physical ports belonging to a trunking group. By using one virtual port identification address instead of a group of physical port addresses, a tremendous reduction in processing overhead in the network manager can be achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to the selection of a virtual path or virtual channel in response to a connection request in a communications network. To achieve a fast selection of a valid virtual path, the available virtual paths are divided into three categories so that the first category (1) includes virtual paths that were accepted the last time they were tested, the second category (2) includes virtual paths that were rejected the last time they were tested, and the third category (3) includes the rest of the available virtual paths. A virtual path is moved from the second category to the third category according to a predetermined criterion. Virtual paths are tested in order so that first the virtual paths in the first category are tested, then the virtual paths in the third category, and finally the virtual paths in the second category. Virtual channels can be selected in the same way.

Abstract: An application and method for analyzing a virtual circuit in an asynchronous transfer mode (“ATM”) network is disclosed. The ATM network may include multiple switches and connects two telecommunications networks through two interface devices, one for each telecommunications network. A virtual circuit is created in the ATM network between the two telecommunications networks, connecting to the first telecommunications network through a port of the first interface device and the second telecommunications network through a port of the second interface device. The method transfers a data value from the port of the first interface device to the port of the second interface device before or during a call. The data value identifies the two ports. In this way, the data value can later be examined to determine if it still identifies the two ports. By so doing, the examining interface device can determine a status of the virtual circuit.

Abstract: A system includes a first virtual end point processor (332) operably coupled to a plurality of channel elements (304) and a second virtual end point processor (340) operably coupled to a plurality of frame selectors (314). The system also includes at least one signaling manager (318, 334) that is arranged and constructed to establish a communication path that terminates at the first virtual end point processor (332) and the second virtual end point processor (340) prior to receiving a request for resources for a data call, such that set-up time for the data call through a wireless network is reduced.

Abstract: A simple network management protocol (SNMP) agent is distributed among individual channel units of frame relay switching system, rather than in a proxy device. The SNMP agent is implemented by encoding the identity of an individual channel device for whom a data packet is intended in the community data string portion of an SNMP packet. For a read request, the address of a channel unit is encoded as an augmented community string, such as “public.#”. For a write request, the address is encoded as an augmented community string, such as “private.#”.

Abstract: Using a graphical user interface, the user is requested to enter a type of permanent virtual connection desired to be created. Based on the type of permanent virtual connection desired to be created, it is determined what data is necessary to generate the permanent virtual connection. Using a graphical user interface, the user is requested to enter the data determined to be necessary. When the user is requested to enter a type of permanent virtual connection desired to be created, information is requested from the user as to whether a point-to-point connection or a point-to-multipoint connection is desired, as to whether a virtual path connection or a virtual channel connection is desired, as to a desired quality of service, as to how billing data is to be collected, and as to a type of traffic to be handled by the permanent virtual connection. The data is assembled in a form recognizable by a telecommunications switch.

Abstract: A private communication network is formed of a source station, a transit station and a destination station are interconnected by transmission mediums. Each station includes a PBX switch, an ATM switch and a cell assembly/disassembly unit connected between the PBX and ATM switches. A call setup message is sent from the PBX switch of the source station to the PBX switch of the transit station, and connections are established in the PBX switch of the transit station according to the call setup message. A call setup message is then sent from the PBX switch of the transit station to the PBX switch of the destination station. Source and destination trunk identification numbers of the source and destination stations associated with the call setup message are exchanged so that all of the stations share the source and destination trunk identification numbers.

Abstract: An inter-machine trunk (IMT) is provisioned between two witches through an ATM network. The IMT includes a number of virtual connections (VCs) and cell slots within each VC for carrying telephone calls. The IMT is established by multiple repetitions of an inter-switch signaling process, each resulting in the creation of one VC. The number of VCs and cell slots for the IMT is selected based on provisioning information from a network operator. The IMT may be either a pre-established IMT (“PIMT”) or an on-demand IMT (“VIMT”). A PIMT is a quasi-permanent connection set up and torn down by an operator to provide some guaranteed data-carrying capacity on the IMT. A VIMT is created automatically upon receipt of a call when no connections are available on the IMT. An IMT can use both a PIMT and a VIMT. When a call request is received at a switch, a call processor determines whether the IMT is to carry the call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting and classifying communications frames received over a network prior to delivery, using a collection of filters arranged as a decision-making tree with destinations for the frames as the leaves of the tree.

Abstract: A method for scheduling transmission of cells through a data switch having a plurality of inputs and outputs provides a plurality of buffers at each input. Each buffer corresponds to an output, or to a virtual circuit. A weight is assigned to each buffer; and buffers are selected according to a maximal weighted matching. Finally, cells are transmitted from the selected buffers to the corresponding outputs. Weights are based on number of credits associated with each buffer. Optionally, the weight is zero if the associated buffer is empty. A credit bucket size may be assigned to each buffer to limit the number of credits when the buffer is empty. Alternatively, weights are set to either buffer length, or to the number of credits, whichever is less. Or, weights may be set to validated waiting times associated with the oldest cells. Each input/output pair is assigned the maximum weight of any associated virtual connection.

Abstract: A packet based telecommunication system, such as ATM, comprises a main data path and at least one bypass path, for bypassing a portion of the data path, the portion and the respective bypass defining a protection domain, the system comprising nodes for each of the domains, for monitoring respective domains and for issueing alarms in the form of packets, to other nodes downstream, with a domain identifier indicating the respective domain in which the alarm originated. At a given one of the nodes an alarm issued from a node upstream of the given node and a corresponding identifier, are detected. At the given node it is determined whether to trigger a rerouting of the data along one of the bypass paths which bypasses the domain monitored by the given node, on the basis of the detected domain identifier. Using the identifier, downstream nodes can determine more easily whether the alarm is caused by a domain which has a bypass path triggered by another node upstream.

Abstract: A mechanism for performing multicast packet transfer when a certain one of the destination nodes participating in the multicast communication requires resource reservation for a certain packet flow specified among the packet flows to that destination node. A system may transfer multicast packets using a plurality of virtual connections based on which flow the packets to be transferred belong to, so that each node receives the packets without duplication. Alternatively, a system may selectively discard received packets to avoid processing duplicated packets, although duplicated packets are received at each node.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for selecting one particular interface between a pair of adjacent nodes in an ATM network for assignment to a call in that network. The cell rate available on each possible interface is examined and compared with the cell rate expected for the call, and one of the interfaces is selected and assigned responsive to those cell rates. (1) The interface can be chosen which preserves the maximum remaining cell rate for future calls. (2) The interface with the highest-speed available link can be chosen, so long as cell rate capacity is available on that interface for the call.

Abstract: A packet transfer scheme for transferring packets at a boundary of a plurality networks is disclosed. A network interconnection apparatus (router) communicates with a previous hop node in one of the plurality of networks by a first control message including a first identification information for identifying an upstream path from the previous hop node and a specification information for specifying a group of packets to be transferred on the upstream path, and with a next hop node in another of the plurality of networks by a second control message including a second identification information for identifying a downstream path to the next hop node and a specification information for specifying a group of packets to be transferred on the downstream path.

Abstract: A router includes at one network interface (230, 235, 240, 245) and a processor (220). Each network interface (230, 235, 240, 245) connects to at least one link. The link(s) further connect to at least one node of multiple nodes in a network. Each network interface (230, 235, 240, 245) further receives link state information. The link state information includes link data rate information. The processor (220) determines whether the link data rate information indicates if the links interconnecting the nodes satisfy a threshold data rate, and assigns virtual circuit identifiers to nodes in the network based on whether the link data rate information indicates that the links satisfy the threshold data rate.

Abstract: A telecommunication node for an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) telecommunication network performs Segmentation and Reassembly (SAR) of ATM cells. The SAR particularly provides Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI) and Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) translation and further provides a Direct Memory Access (DMA) for accessing an external storage. When the VCI and VPI identifiers are representative of an Error Code Correcting (ECC) procedure to be carried out in the local mode, the SAR circuit performs a first DMA access which is decoded by an address decoder. Conversely, when no ECC procedure is locally required, the SAR decodes the VCI and VPI and performs a second DMA access which is also decoded by the address decoder. The latter decoding is then used by a Reed-Solomon Coder and Decoder for possibly performing an error correcting procedure on the ATM message formed by the ATM cells being processed.

Abstract: In a method for terminating a plurality of ATM lines for a base station modulator/demodulator in a mobile communication system for data communication between upper stations and a base station by a transmission method wherein ATM cells are mapped utilizing an existing leased line as a physical medium sublayer, when an increase in capacity of the base station necessitates leased line interfaces corresponding to a plurality of upper stations, processing is carried out in such a manner that leased line numbers are added to respective HEC regions of ATM cells sent from each upper station into a leased line interface section, whereby the addition of the function of the leased line interface section involved in an increase in the leased line can be minimized and the additional function can be simply designed utilizing a conventional technique.

Abstract: A communication apparatus is provided which comprises: extraction means for extracting a virtual path identifier and a virtual channel identifier stored in a first header of first cells output from a terminal; preparation means which, based on the extracted virtual path identifier and virtual channel identifier, refers to a conversion table to prepare a second header containing a corresponding identifier; cell generation means for generating second cells containing the prepared second header and the user information of the first cells; multiplexing/generation means for multiplexing the generated second cells so as to have a fixed length, thereby generating third cells; and send means for sending the generated third cells to other communication apparatus through a virtual channel. By virtue of this construction, the usage charge of communication lines, such as ATM lines, can be reduced.

Abstract: A telecommunication carrier processor subsystem (CPS) adapted to receive cells (1, 2), preferably ATM cells, and to derive from the H-bit header field thereof a smaller set of R bits. The set of R bits is not only used to route the cell to a predetermined output of the subsystem but is also combined with a second set of D bits for replacing the VPI/VCI bits in the H-bit header field of the cell. The second set of D bits may be used for transmitting information data such as user data, control or command transmission. It may also be used for hand-over process or cell duplication and is then particularly suited for broadband local access applications relating to low earth orbit satellite constellations. Preserving the global ATM cell header size while using the freed D bits after changing the connection identifier range is called in-band control. It allows using off the shelf components for the cell transmission between sub-systems, boards or components.

Abstract: A packet transfer method at a node device in which the virtual channel merging is unnecessary at the label switch router even when the communication resource reservation or the high priority transfer is requested is disclosed. At each node, one or more virtual channels for a specific flow are set up toward all receivers regardless of whether each receiver requested a communication quality for the specific flow or not, upon receiving a message used in a procedure for reserving the communication quality for the specific flow that is transmitted from an upstream side to a downstream side on a route of the specific flow toward the receivers.

Abstract: A packet transfer scheme in a network system capable of realizing a high speed, large capacity inter-network communication under an internet environment. A network interconnection apparatus (router) has a memory for storing a correspondence relationship between a virtual connection used in receiving a packet from one logical network and a virtual connection used in transmitting a packet to another logical network, and a transfer at a datalink layer is carried out according to the registered correspondence relationship, to effectively form a bypass pipe capable of transferring a packet by an datalink layer level processing alone over a plurality of networks from the transmission terminal to the destination terminal, so that a high speed packet transfer between networks can be realized.

Abstract: An exchange apparatus is disclosed, that comprises an address solving port for extracting logical address information from a datagram received from an Internet protocol computer network through a data transmission path and converting the extracted address information into absolute address information of an asynchronous transfer mode network, an address converting port for converting the absolute address information converted by the address solving port into an address having a geographically hierarchical structure and adding the converted address information to the original datagram, an ATM cell assembling port for assembling an ATM cell that is transferred at a time in the asynchronous transfer mode with the data gram containing the address information added by the address converting port, and a transfer destination setting and outputting port for setting a virtual path and a virtual channel that represent the transfer destination to the ATM cell assembled by the ATM cell assembling port and outputting the r

Abstract: A multiple user access network (10) includes a master network element device (12) and multiple slave network termination devices (14a-14n). The network element device (12) couples to the multiple network termination devices (14a-14n) in a multi-user network interface (MUNI) topology by a shared media link (16). Each network termination device (14a-14n) is assigned its own unique group ID address (38) by the master network element device (12). The network element device (12) sends MUNI asynchronous transfer mode cells (30, 32) to appropriate network termination devices (14a-14n) over shared media link (16). The group ID (38) field is also defined to allow for the network element device (12) to broadcast asynchronous transfer mode cells to all the network termination devices (14a-14n).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for translating an ATM cell header for the routing thereof over a transmission highway of a communication network via an ATM switch, consisting in having the switch translate the pair (VPI, VCI) contained in the cell header, the first field VPI identifying a virtual path number and the second field VCI selecting a specified virtual channel within the virtual path.