Abstract: The present invention is a universal application program interface (API) utilizing a generic message format for performing call control processing and capable of being customized to meet telecommunications application and network signaling protocol requirements. The generic message formats have programmable fields for transmitting commands, status, and data between the host application and the switch. The present invention further provides the switch the ability to perform switching functions between ports associated with distinct protocols without supervision from the host application. The universal API of the present invention may be implemented to achieve communications internal to the switch as well. For example, the generic messages of the universal API may be used to support communications between any software layer within the switch.

Abstract: A router in an IP (Internet protocol) network supporting a number of virtual private networks is partitioned by a divider unit. Each virtual private network has its respective control architecture. The divider unit allocates forwarding resources assigned to each control architecture so as to limit the amount of resources consumed by each control architecture and guarantee pre-set minimum amounts of those resources.

Abstract: VC multicast implementation scheme utilizing VP tunneling over public ATM VP switched networks utilizing P2P and P2M connections to provide VC multicast capability to the attached private ATM networks. The border ATM VC switch in each private ATM network is connected to the ATM VP switch in the public ATM network via a physical interface adapted to carry one or more P2P VP tunnels. A P2P VP tunnel is established from each VC switch to all other VC switches connected to the public ATM network. A dedicated P2M VP tunnel is established between the source VC switch to each of the destination VC switches connected to the public ATM network. For each multicast connection to be established, a VPI/VCI value pair is allocated over the dedicated P2M VP tunnel used to transmit data associated with all P2M calls for all the P2P VP tunnels carried by the physical interface.

Abstract: A packet network of interconnected nodes employs a method of routing with service level guarantees to determine a path through the network for a requested label-switched path (LSP). Each of the nodes includes one or more routers that forward packets based on a forwarding table constructed from paths determined in accordance with the method of routing with service level guarantees. The method of routing with service level guarantees determines the path of the requested LSP based on the effect that routing those packets of the requested LSP may have on current and/or future demands on the capacity of network nodes for currently provisioned LSPs. Such method of routing with service level guarantees may not necessarily route packets of a requested LSP along the shortest path, or minimum number of hops, through the network. Given the packet network and LSP request, a linear programming system may be defined by a set of linear programming equations for a non-split demand case.

Abstract: A scheduling apparatus of the present invention includes a first element which stores a pair comprising (1) an identifier for identifying a communication event and (2) time information. The time information shows the time for executing the communication event and is represented by floating point data having an accuracy necessary for the communication event. The scheduling apparatus has a second element which reads out the identifier from the first element by using current time information which is represented by the floating point data. A communication control apparatus of the present invention includes a first element which outputs time information and an identifier which identifies the communication event corresponding to the time information. The time information shows time of executing a communication event and is represented as floating point data having an accuracy necessary for communicating the communication event.

Abstract: A server load sharing system has a plurality of server load balancers and a relay device. Each balancer includes a module selecting, when receiving a forwarding target packet addressed to a predetermined virtual IP address via one of first and second links, any one of a plurality of load sharing target servers specified in their group on the basis of the virtual IP address and each allocated a unique IP address, and a module rewriting the virtual IP address of the received forwarding target packet addressed to the virtual IP address into the unique IP address of the selected server, and rewriting a source IP address of the received packet addressed to the virtual IP address into an IP address capable of specifying the other of the first and second links.

Abstract: Traditionally a user has accessed an Internet Service Provider (ISP) using a circuit switched access network such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This advantage is lost in current packet switched access networks where there is no mechanism for a user to select a particular ISP in the access network. The present invention provides a method for a user in a packet switched access network to select a connection facility to a second network, the method comprising, the user prepending the access network address of the connection facility to each data packet sent across the access network by the user, and the access network connection removing the prepended address from each packet prior to sending the packets on to the second network.

Abstract: In an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) switch circuit, use efficiencies of address storage memories are increased even when a total number of output ports is increased. The ATM switch circuit is arranged by an ATM cell buffer memory, an ATM cell managing unit, an address storage memory, an empty address managing unit, and also a buffer address managing unit. In this ATM switch circuit, the address storage memory may be commonly used with respect to the output ports. As a result, since the length of the address chain corresponding to the output ports may be adjusted in accordance with the use frequencies of the output ports, the address storage memory can be effectively used, depending upon a plurality of output ports.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for translating an ATM cell header for the routing thereof on a transmission highway of a communication network via an ATM switch. The header of the cell includes a first field VPI and a second field VCI, the first field VPI identifying a virtual path number and the second field VCI selecting a specified virtual channel within the virtual path. The process includes in] storing indirect addressing context page numbers in a first major table (3), storing context page numbers for the circuits in VP switching mode in a second major table (4), storing context page numbers (7) for the circuits in VC switching mode in indirect addressing (5) context pages (2), addressing the context pages (7) of circuits in VC switching mode by way of an indirect addressing (5) context page on the basis of the first major table (3) and of the field VCI, and addressing the context pages (9) of the VP switching mode on the basis of context page numbers contained in the second major table (4).

Abstract: A receiving method for absorbing cell-fluctuation with a minimum data delay in low-speed transmission in an ATM switching network. In a cell fluctuation absorption receiving method of a CLAD device equipped in an ATM switching network, the CLAD device for assembling or disassembling cells from or to a bit string having a fixed communication speed of data communication from the connected communication device includes a CLAD unit having a receiving buffer corresponding to the communication speed of each of the addresses, and before storing the first received cell data, storing dummy data in a receiving buffer, the dummy data corresponding to the fluctuation guarantee time.

Abstract: This invention proposes an indexing method for mapping multiple segments of coded fields into a table-structure field. This indexing method can complete resolving address mapping within a short delay, and it has a collision-free characteristic when total bit-width of variation for coded fields is the same as the bit-width of the table. This method can be used to resolve VPI/VCI mapping for the ATM technologies.

Abstract: To provide all ATM exchange wherein more supple collective routing than VP routing is enabled without waste of VPI/VCI resources, an ATM exchange comprises: a VPI/VCI converter (1) for retrieving a logic value, which is predetermined for each of individual connections to be dealt with individually and groups of connections to be dealt with collectively, according to an input VPI/VCI value; a mask-bit generator (2) for generating a mask-bit pattern, a number of lower bits of the mask-bit pattern having logic ‘1’ and other upper bits thereof having logic ‘0’ when the mask-bit pattern concerns one of the groups of connections; and a VPI/VCI bit selector (3) for generating an output VPI/VCI value to be written in the VPI/VCI field of the cell, by selecting logic of each bit of the output VPI/VCI value to have the same logic with a corresponding bit of the logic value outputted from the VPI/VCI converter (1) when a corresponding bit of the mask-bit pattern has logic ‘0’, and to

Abstract: A system and method for input thresholding packets in a network switch. A network switch may include multiple input ports, multiple output ports, and a shared random access memory coupled to the input ports and output ports by data transport logic. Packets entering the network switch may be assigned to one of a plurality of threshold groups and to one of a plurality of flows within the threshold group. In one embodiment, each threshold group may be divided into a plurality of levels of operation. As resources are allocated or freed by the threshold group, the threshold group may dynamically move up or down in the levels of operation. Within each level, one or more different values may be used as level boundaries and resource limits for flows within the threshold group. In one embodiment, programmable registers may be used to store these values.

Abstract: A communications system for transporting connectionless datagrams over a connection-oriented network is arranged to remove the address resolution function and the connection setup function from a sending host and combine them in a third-party connection server in conjunction with channel management at connection-oriented routing points. The third party request protocol can be used for Classical connectionless over a connection oriented network, legacy LAN emulation and Routing Over Large Clouds.

Abstract: A method for establishing a virtual channel between network devices is disclosed. In the case of a local network device establishing a virtual channel with a remote network device, a virtual channel request message is sent from the local network device to the remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are received and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are sent. The virtual channel is then enabled. In the case of a remote network device establishing a virtual channel with a local network device, a virtual channel request message is received from a local network device by a remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are sent and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are received. The virtual channel is then enabled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes processing for combining a plurality of virtual circuits into a combined virtual circuit, where such processing begins by buffering cells of each virtual circuit into a corresponding buffer. The processing then continues by obtaining priority information for each virtual circuit and obtaining logical buffer de-queuing information. The priority information, for example, may equate to priorities established via the varying levels of ATM services. The logical buffer de-queuing information corresponds to an access sequence for a plurality of logical ring buffers that are comprised of the buffers, or buffer identifiers. The processing then continues by generating the combined virtual circuit based on the logical buffer de-queuing information and the priority information.

Abstract: A signaling virtual channel (SVC) is established only when it is necessary so that a bandwidth reserved for a signaling channel for transmitting signaling information is usable for transmitting communication information. The SVC is established between a subscriber terminal and an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) exchange system by selecting the virtual path identifier (VPI) and the virtual channel identifier (VCI) for signaling only when a request for a call connection is made by the subscriber terminal or only when a notification of reception of a call is sent to the subscriber terminal. A communication path between the subscriber terminal and the ATM exchange system is established for transmitting communication information by transmitting communication call setting information through the SVC. The SVC is released after an establishing operation of the communication path is completed.

Abstract: for The present invention relates to a method and system for routing in an ATM network comprising a plurality of nodes connected to each other via links, a network management center being connected to said ATM network. According to the invention, the optimization information is defined in a centralized manner in the network management center and the nodes apply the results of this centralized optimization according to their own condition. The invention provides the advantage that the operation of individual nodes in setting up connections is very fast. Moreover, a fair distribution of network resources among users is achieved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data packets between a client and a server comprising, a network node receiving a data packet from a client; determining whether an identity (hereafter session id) exists for a communication session with the client. The network node transmits the data packet to a server if no session id exists. The server generates the session id, and transmits the session id to the network node. The network node transmits subsequent data packets received from the client to the server along with the session id. The server transmits subsequent data packets to the network node along with the session id. The network node removes at least the session id prior to transmitting the data packets to the client.

Abstract: An originating switch (110) in a packet-based telecommunications network (100) routes calls to a terminating switch using the combination of Success-to-the Top (STT) and Class-of-Service criterion. In routing a call to the terminating switch, the originating switch 110 checks for available bandwidth for the class of service of the call on the direct path (116) between switches. If the path has available bandwidth, the originating switch routes on the direct path. Otherwise, the originating switch searches for the most recently successful one of a plurality the via switches (1181-118n) linking the originating and terminating switches to determine whether that via switch can successfully route the call to the terminating switch. If the most recently successful one of the via switches possesses available bandwidth to route the call in accordance with its class of service, the originating switch 110 selects that via switch to route the call.

Abstract: An ATM switching apparatus applicable to a short cell including an ATM-SW outputting a cell from an output path corresponding to a cell identifier, an interface unit, a demultiplexer, and a multiplexer. The interface unit sets, when a cell storing a plurality of short cells is inputted, the cell identifier so that the cell is transmitted from ATM-SW to the demultiplexer, and outputs the cell toward the ATM-SW. The demultiplexer receives the cell and produces a plurality of partial fill cells, and outputs them, while setting an identifier of each partial fill cell, the partial fill cell is outputted. The multiplexer receives a plurality of the partial fill cells, produces a cell storing a plurality of the short cells in accordance with the identifiers and outputs the cell to the ATM-SW.

Abstract: A scheme for sharing a common virtual connection identifier between end-nodes, which enable sharing of a common identifier of a sufficient information length at both end-nodes of a virtual connection. In this scheme, the first message containing a first identifier for provisionally identifying a virtual connection commonly between neighboring nodes is exchanged between neighboring nodes, at a time of setting up the virtual connection. Then, the second message containing a second identifier having a larger information size than the first identifier for formally identifying the virtual connection commonly between neighboring nodes, in a form that enables establishing of a correspondence between the first identifier and the second identifier, is exchanged between neighboring nodes through another virtual connection different from the virtual connection to be set up.

Abstract: A switch for transmitting data from a first device to a second device includes a port in communication with the second device, queues which store slices of data received from the first device, and circuitry for selectively outputting a slice of the data from at least one of the queues to the port for transmission to the second device.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and corresponding method for distributed processing of packet data containing audio information. The system includes a host processing module for exchanging packet data containing audio information with a data packet network, wherein the host processing module includes host logic for performing non-real-time processing of the packet data. The system also includes a slave processing module coupled to the host processing module for exchanging packet data with the host processing module, wherein the slave processing module includes slave logic for performing real-time processing of the packet data, and for interfacing with a media device.

Abstract: An apparatus is described to implement a module redundant system using logical addresses. The apparatus may comprise a bus on which a plurality of server modules may be coupled to. One of the server modules may be configured to be active and remaining server modules may be configured to be on standby. A plurality of client modules may be coupled to the bus and configured to be in communication with the active server module using logical addresses.

Abstract: In a communications-networking autonomous system consisting of an OSPF domain, autonomous-system border routers (I-ASBR and E-ASBR) cause exchange of hierarchical forwarding labels whose hierarchies are based on OSPF areas. A border router transmits into the domain an OSPF LSA Update message containing an AS-External LSA whose External Route Tag field other routers interpret as specifying a label to be used for forwarding. When that LSA is flooded into the OSPF domain, area border routers respond by flooding new LSAs created from the received one by replacing the label contained in the External Route Tag field with labels that specify their forwarding tables' locations containing information for forwarding to the originating autonomous system border router. In so doing, they enable packets destined for an extra-domain location to be forwarded through the autonomous system without requiring non-border routers to allocate labels to the exterior location or to border routers outside their areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a switching method and apparatus for performing a switching operation in a telecommunication network, wherein a side information and a service information generated based on a received call is converted into a switching technology independent identification information for identifying a start point and an end point of a connection to be switched in said switching apparatus. Thus, the physical resources of the switch are abstracted to a logical model which provides a clear interface for call control and signaling applications. Logical resources are controlled by resource managers, such that the physical resources are hidden by the switching technology independent identification information of the start point and end point of the connection. Thereby, problems with different switching technologies can be solved, and the complexity and maintenance of call control applications can be reduced, since they handle logical resources independent of the switching techniques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting secured multicast in an asynchronous transfer mode based passive optical network communication (“APON”) system having a central network device, such as an optical line terminal (“OLT”), and multiple network devices, such as optical network terminals (“ONT”), whereby the central network device communicates with the network devices using multicast encryption key that is selected or generated from among the churning keys belonging to the network devices, and whereby the central network device periodically updates the multicast encryption key by delivering to the network devices the difference values between the updated multicast encryption key and the respective churning key of each network device.

Abstract: An ATM switching system comprises a switch unit including a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports having the same cell transmission rate, and a multiplexer for multiplexing cell trains outputted from at least two output ports into a single cell train and outputting the cell train to a high-speed output line (and/or a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a cell train from an output port into a plurality of cell trains and outputting the cell trains to a plurality of low-speed output lines). The switch unit includes a buffer memory for temporarily storing cells inputted from the input ports while forming a queue chain for each output line to which each cell is to be outputted, a demultiplexer for distributing the cells read from the buffer memory among the output ports in circulation, and a buffer memory control circuit for controlling the write and read operation of cells with the shared buffer memory.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing network resources in an ATM network wherein existing virtual channel connections (“VCCs”) are checked for an available channel identifier (“CID”) and network bandwidth in response to a connection request. If a CID and required bandwidth is not available, then a new VCC is established and the requested AAL2 connection is setup. Rather than establishing a new direct VCC, available resources on an indirect VCC may be used.

Abstract: Methods and devices useful in high-speed scalable switching systems include a memoryless switch fabric, per virtual channel queuing, digital phase aligners, randomized and complement connection modes, a mid-point negative acknowledge and output negative acknowledge scheme among other elements. A particular implementation of a routing table and switch element is described in part to illustrate the various techniques and devices of the invention.

Abstract: The invention is a system for providing virtual connections through an ATM interworking multiplexer on a call-by-call basis. A signaling processor receives signaling for a call and selects the virtual connection for the call. The signaling processor generates new signaling that identifies the selection and transfers the new signaling to the ATM interworking multiplexer that accepted the access connection for the call. The multiplexer converts user information from the access connection into ATM cells for transmission over the virtual connection in accord with the new signaling.

Abstract: A network switch configured for switching data packets across multiple ports uses an address table to generated frame forwarding information. The switch receives frame information including a source address and destination address along with a virtual local area network (VLAN) ID, if applicable. A decision-making engine searches a network address table to “learn” Medium Access Control (MAC) addresses without having to store receive port numbers by embedding the receive port number in the stored port vector fields.

Abstract: In computers (Processor Unit 1, . . . , Processor Unit N) that handle the operation of an ATM switch, applications may communicate with each other by transmitting internal traffic cells to each other, which are transported among other subscriber traffic. By assigning service categories to the applications, which correspond as well as possible to their quality needs, it is possible to optimize the quality of the connection services of internal connections. By setting the traffic parameters of internal traffic individually changeable, internal traffic and subscriber traffic can be integrated in the best possible way. In the preferred embodiment, the service category can be selected connection-specifically. In such a case, each application selects the best possible service category. In the second embodiment, the connection-specific category is selected to be the same for all the applications. In such a case, all the applications use the same predetermined service category.

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: 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: For establishing an S-PVC (soft private virtual connection) connection in a PNNI (private network-network interface) network of a plurality of peer groups, each of which includes at least an ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) switching apparatus as an ATM node, a first identifier and first designated route data associated with the S-PVC channel are set in each of the plurality of peer groups. In the ATM node in each of the plurality of peer groups, a call originating request including second designated route data and a second identifier is received and the first identifier and the second identifier are compared. A next call originating request containing third designated route data as the second designated route data and the second identifier is generated for a next node based on the first and second designated route data and the second identifier when the first identifier and the second identifier are coincident with each other. The next call originating request is transmitted to the next node.

Abstract: An ATM switching system comprises a switch unit including a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports having the same cell transmission rate, and a multiplexer for multiplexing cell trains outputted from at least two output ports into a single cell train and outputting the cell train to a high-speed output line (and/or a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a cell train from an output port into a plurality of cell trains and outputting the cell trains to a plurality of low-speed output lines). The switch unit includes a buffer memory for temporarily storing cells inputted from the input ports while forming a queue chain for each output line to which each cell is to be outputted, a demultiplexer for distributing the cells read from the buffer memory among the output ports in circulation, and a buffer memory control circuit for controlling the write and read operation of cells with the shared buffer memory.

Abstract: The present invention includes a detection unit for detecting an active virtual channel of arriving ATM cells, and a management memory unit for managing management information about the detected active virtual channel on a virtual-channel-to-virtual-channel basis, wherein a frame-by-frame process is performed on cells whose virtual channel identifier matches that of an active virtual channel managed by the management memory unit. In this manner, virtual-channel-by-virtual-channel processing is achieved in ATM leased line services that are provided on a virtual-path-by-virtual-path basis, thereby dispensing with needs to register a virtual channel into management memory in advance and allowing a large number of virtual channels to be accommodated.

Abstract: A cell re-sequencer restores cell sequence in multipath ATM switches by using per-VC logical queues that store only cells belonging to a same VC. The re-sequencer can reduce processing time to a shorter value than those of conventional re-sequencer mechanisms. Also, this re-sequencer has no restriction on the peak rate of VCs and no arbitration functions to select an output cell. The re-sequencer comprises a RAM buffer, a CAM/RAM table, a controller, etc.

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: 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: The invention provides an ATM switch which realizes hierarchical shaping for each virtual channel and each virtual path with a simple configuration. Cells are sent from cell buffers of an ATM core switch by FIFO operation to output side connection information application sections of output side circuit interfaces. In each of the output side circuit interfaces, the output side connection information application section acquires connection information such as a service class based on an intra-switch connection identification number applied to each cell and applies the connection information to the cell. An output cell buffer queues cells for each virtual channel. A VC cell rate control section reads out cells from the output cell buffer in accordance with the connection information and performs traffic priority control and rate control of the cells to be outputted.

Abstract: A route monitor control system includes a plurality of OAM cell handlers (OCHs); a plurality of virtual path handlers (VPHs); a plurality of virtual channel handlers (VCHs); trunks; and a control unit. The control unit issues an OAM (operation and maintenance) cell send instruction to a specific one of the plurality of OAM cell handlers, and carries out a loop back control to at least one of the virtual path handler, the virtual channel handler, and the trunk, which are associated with the specific OAM cell handler, as an object unit in response to the OAM cell send instruction. Also, when the specific OAM cell handler sends out an OAM cell from the specific OAM cell handler to the object unit in response to the OAM cell send instruction, the control unit determines a fault position based on returning or non-returning of the OAM cell from the object unit to the specific OAM cell handler.

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 call process processor (CC) outputs a control instruction of a connection only to a line response unit at a source side. The line response unit at the source side transmits a connection control cell where a VPI/VCI corresponding to a specified connection is set, tag information indicating a route to a line response unit at a destination side is set, connection control information identifying it as the connection control cell is set in an empty area of the header and connection information for controlling the specified connection is stored, to an ATM switch. The line response unit at the destination side extracts the connection control cell which is transmitted from the line response unit at the source side and input from the ATM switch according to the connection control information, and controls the specified connection according to the extracted connection control cell.

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: An ATM protocol adapter designed to operate with high speed switching systems having a receive and transmit elements based upon pipeline structure insuring that each operation is performed in a limited period.