Abstract: A communications system and method utilizes peer-to-peer architecture to provide "quality" real-time communications in a non-guaranteed, packet-based network. Quality real-time communications in a non-guaranteed, packet-based network is achieved by (i) minimizing packet loss, (ii) minimizing latency, and (iii) minimizing the artifacts caused by packet loss. The system distributes control of functionality to the peer communication devices, thereby eliminating the need for a central processor to establish peer-to-peer communications. Each of the peer communication devices has the capability to respond to variations in network loading to provide quality real-time communications.

Abstract: A network communication system in which access points providing wireless access to the system reroute misrouted information packets in the event the location of a mobile unit has changed. Regardless of whether a host computer or other network device is capable of updating in its position table the changing locations of the mobile units, information packets directed to the mobile units from the host computer or other network device are still properly delivered.

Abstract: A system and method for interposing in the feeder system of a switched telecommunications network an adjunct programmable program controlled switching system providing preselection of service providers and the functionalities provided. The adjunct switching system is preferably enclosed in a controlled environment vault existing in the feeder system of the telecommunications network and housing optical to electrical interfaces. The system and method provide for by-passing the end office switches in the telecommunications network to connect subscribers to various services such as competitor local exchange networks, LANs, interexchange carrier points of presence, the Internet, packet data networks, wireless communication systems, traffic operator position stations, video services, and the like. The adjunct switching system provides both wideband and narrowband switching.

Abstract: A method is provided for clients to access server-based telephony features in the Internet or other non-telephony client-server network, in a platform-independent and network-independent fashion and without modification of the clients. A user of a client (101) uses the client's World Wide Web (WWW) browser (113) to download from a WWW server (104) a page (115) that defines a blank feature form that has virtual actuators and associated parameters fields for the telephony features. The user marks up the downloaded page via the WWW browser to indicate feature selection and any feature parameters, and uploads the marked up page to the WWW server. A form-interpreting script (116) executed by the WWW server interprets the marked up page, and the WWW server sends a feature request that corresponds to the user's feature selection and user-specified parameters to a telephony feature server (105). The telephony feature server responds to the request by providing the requested feature to the user's client.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a voice call to a PSTN extension for a networked client computer, and routing the voice call off of the network, is provided. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a storage medium having stored therein a plurality of programming instructions for implementing a set of communication services for facilitating establishment of the voice call to the PSTN extension, and an execution unit, coupled to the storage medium, for executing the plurality of programming instructions. The set of communication services include services for receiving a Push-To-Talk.TM. request from the networked client computer, requesting the voice call, and in response, determining the PSTN extension. The Push-To-Talk.TM. request includes identification information of an originating web server of the Push-To-Talk.TM. option, and the determination of the PSTN extension is made in accordance with the originating web server's identification information.

Abstract: A computer system with a plurality of devices compatible with the Fibre Channel Protocol, wherein at least two of which devices are initiators. The computer system is provided with the capability to control and manage multiple initiators configured in an Arbitrated Loop. This capability is realized by manipulating the contents in outstanding.sub.-- link.sub.-- services arrays associated with the initiators.

Abstract: A hub circuit with an integrated bridge circuit carried out in software including a switch for bypassing the bridge process such that the two bridged networks effectively become one network. An in-band management process in software is disclosed which receives and executes network management commands received as data packets from the LANs coupled to the integrated hub/bridge. Also, hardware and software to implement an isolate mode where data packets which would ordinarily be transferred by the bridge process are not transferred except in-band management packets are transferred to the in-band management process regardless of which network from which they arrived. Also disclosed, a packet switching machine having shared high-speed memory with multiple ports, one port coupled to a plurality of LAN controller chips coupled to individual LAN segments and an Ethernet microprocessor that sets up and manages a receive buffer for storing received packets and transferring pointers thereto to a main processor.

Abstract: A system for hierarchical data storage management and transparent data backup in a high speed, high volume Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop environment comprising first and second Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loops, each coupling a Transaction Server and backup HSM server to high speed disk drives and mirrored high speed disk drives respectively. The two loops are coupled by a Bridge compatible with the Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop protocol which forwards write transactions directed to the mirrored disk drives from the first loop the second but keeps read transaction from the Transaction Server to the high speed disk drives on the first loop isolated from backup and HSM transactions occurring on the second loop between the backup HSM server, the mirrored disk drives and backup storage devices coupled to the backup HSM server.

Abstract: A method for information exchange in the customer/server mode between stations connected by a communication network is described. An emulated server (SEM) is provided at at least certain stations. The emulated server is appropriate for dialog according to a communication protocol to process requests for consulting resource files at a coupler between a station and the network. An interception mechanism (INT) is used to intercept the requests for consulting the resource files by redirecting them to the local emulated server. The emulated server is used either as a cache memory to reduce traffic or as a switch to mitigate and remedy a breakdown of the server.

Abstract: A user connected to the Internet (102), over his or her telephone line (105), through an Internet Access Provider (IAP) (104) can place the Internet connection on hold to take an incoming telephone call from a calling party at a telephone set (110). The user is informed of the waiting call by means of a signal send by the Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) (103) to the IAP that indicates the presence of the waiting call and the identity of the calling party. This information is then transmitted by the IAP to the user's terminal (101). Upon an affirmative decision to take the call, indicated to the IAP by means of a "click" on the screen of the user's terminal, the call to the IAP is placed on hold and the incoming call is connected to the user's telephone set (111).

Abstract: Method for the determination of a destination ATM address as reply to an address resolution inquiry output by a source LAN emulation client of a first ELAN when the destination MAC address to be resolved is allocated to at least one LAN emulation client of a second ELAN and the first as well as the second ELAN are connected to a higher-ranking network, having the following method steps: encapsulation of the address resolution request present in the first ELAN as ELAN frame in a frame format of the CLS wide-area network and transmission via the CLS wide-area network to the second ELAN; de-encapsulation of the encapsulated address resolution request and handover to an LAN emulation server LES of the second ELAN in the ELAN frame format; resolution of the destination MAC address into an appertaining ATM address by this LAN emulation server of the second ELAN and output of an address resolution response; encapsulation of this address resolution response into the frame format of the CLS wide-area network and trans

Abstract: A method and system for planning a future telecommunications network from an existing telecommunications network interconnecting a plurality of users utilizes an input device for determining future demands for the future telecommunications network. A processor then determines future characteristics of a plurality of loops connecting each of the users to a central office based on the future demands. Future characteristics of a plurality of transports connecting each of the central offices is determined based on the future demands. The processor then determines future characteristics of switches disposed in each of the central offices based on the future characteristics of the plurality of loops and the plurality of transports. Future characteristics of common systems disposed within each of the central offices is determined based on the future characteristics of the switches.

Abstract: A telecomputer network is described. The network comprises a redundant digital microwave communication system, at least one mobile vehicle, and a wireless local area network (LAN). In one embodiment, the microwave communication system transfers information using ethernet packet switching. In one embodiment, the wireless LAN transfers information using the TCP/IP protocol. The mobile vehicle is configured to transfer information as a single nomadic transmission/reception point between the microwave communication system and the wireless LAN.

Abstract: A hybrid access system and method using a hybrid access system point of presence router and a remote link adapter to connect a user computer terminal to a network for fast downstream information transfer by high speed information broadcasting with lower speed upstream information transfer through an independent upstream channel to the hybrid access system point of presence router. High speed downstream information transfer passes through a cable TV headend or a TV transmitter or a cell station.

Abstract: A computer system with a plurality of devices compatible with the Fibre Channel Protocol, which computer system is provided with the capability to dynamically alter the configuration of the plurality of devices without a system reset, or without additional software overhead. This capability is realized by providing unique mapping relationships between low-level Fibre Channel information structures related to the devices and upper-level link elements compatible with an Operating System associated with the computer system.

Abstract: Idle messages are transmitted by an expansion node into the ring topology until the first idle message arrives to the expansion node after having passed through the entire ring. Frames may then be transmitted by the expansion node at every cycle time. The expansion node has an expansion buffer that may receive incoming frames and stores the frames until the next cycle time. The frame stored in the buffer may then be transferred to transmission side of the expansion node and transmitted into the ring topology. If there is no frame stored in the buffer at the beginning of a new cycle time, the expansion node may generate a new frame and transmit the new frame into the ring topology.

Abstract: The present invention allows a data packet to reach its destination by automatically routing the data packet around failed components by means of a simple and efficient routing algorithms. The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for routing a data packet through a series of ring stations, a series of mid-switch routing elements, and end-switch routing elements. An apparatus according to the invention includes a first series of ring stations and routing elements that are adapted to communicate with each other, and formed in a ring. Each ring is paired with another ring that includes a second series of ring stations and routing elements that are also adapted to communicate with each other as described above to form a second ring, and thus the two rings forming a ring pair. Each routing element, mid-switch and end-switch, is adapted to switch the path of the data packet between the two rings.

Abstract: A network router that routes internetwork packets between distinct networks coupled to the same physical interface. The router comprises a port for coupling to a multiplexing fabric that carries internetwork traffic for a plurality of distinct networks and a routing engine that routes internetwork traffic between the plurality of networks using the port. According to various embodiments, the multiplexing fabric may be a switched fabric or a shared media fabric. The multiplexing fabric may also be used to connect networks that operate according to different protocols to the same port.

Abstract: Redundancy, expanded switching capacity and fault isolation arrangements for use with an expandable telecommunications system. An inter-nodal network connects a plurality of programmable switching nodes or other nodes. One or more additional inter-nodal networks may be provided across some or all of the ones. The bandwidth provided by the additional network(s) may be used to provide redundancy against failure of the primary network or the nodes, increased switching capacity or a combination of both. In addition, faults which occur either within a particular node or within an inter-nodal network may be effectively isolated and prevented from degrading system performance.

Abstract: A router is connected to a network having a terminal and also connected to other routers via an ISDN, and inter-network routing information retained by each router is transferred through the ISDN. In response to a routing information request from the terminal, the router establishes a connection with another router by means of an ISDN address in its first table. Then, the router receives, learns and retains the routing information transmitted from the other router, thus making it unnecessary to set all required routing information, and then sends the routing information to the network connected thereto.

Abstract: To ensure a LES issues address resolution responses when necessary, an association between a MAC/ATM address pair and an intersubnet shortcut virtual channel connection (VCC) is registered. When the LES receives a first data frame being sent from a first station to a second station, with the second station having a MAC address associated with a shortcut VCC, a second data frame is created. The second data frame has as a source address the MAC address. The second frame is sent to devices associated with the first station so that the devices may learn the origination point for the second station and can issue messaging necessary to establish an shortcut VCC. In addition, frame loss reduction in an ATM communications network is accomplished by registering an association between a MAC address of a router associated with a MAC/ATM address pair, and a shortcut VCC. After the association is registered, a data frame being sent from a first station to a second station is received.

Abstract: A technique for controlling the flow of packets in a multi-port bridge according to availability of resources within the bridge. The bridge includes a memory for storing packets and a plurality of ports. Each port includes a receive buffer, a transmit buffer and a memory pointer buffer. A data packet is received by the receive buffer of a port. As the packet is still being received, a look-up table is utilized to determine which is the appropriate destination port for the packet. If the memory pointer buffer in the destination port is nearly full, the destination port generates a jam request. The source port receives the jam request and, in response, discards the incoming packet and sends a jam signal. Otherwise, the memory pointer is stored in the destination port until the packet can be retrieved from the memory for transmission by the destination port.

Abstract: A technique for initializing a communications network having a ring topology chooses a ring master for each ring. The ring master communicates with all network nodes to assign each node a unique number. Upon power up, after all system clocks become stable, the ring master asserts a line that is normally used to delineate slots by holding the line for a predetermined amount of time. When a node is ready for operation, i.e. it has performed an internal reset procedure, and receives the asserted signal, it forwards such signal. Subsequent receipt of the asserted signal by the ring master indicates that the ring is operating properly.

Abstract: Traffic in a multiple ring transmission system (10) is advantageously routed via alternate rings (12a, 12c and 12d) should a ring (12b) fail. Upon the failure of a ring, a hunt is first undertaken to establish the available restoration capacities within the rings. Next, a selected set of available restoration capacities is reserved (selected) to optimize the transmission of traffic between a destination node (14a) and an origin node (14f). The selected set of restoration capacities are then cross-connected to route traffic between the origin and destination nodes.

Abstract: Interconnection subsystems having diverse topologies are disclosed for interconnecting small numbers of nodes having a predetermined maximum degree in a multiprocessor computer system. The interconnection subsystems are generally classified into three diverse classes of topologies, including a "polygonal" class, a "ladder" class and a "tiled" class. In topologies of the polygonal class, a majority of the nodes in the multiprocessor computer system are connected in a ring and the remaining nodes are connected to the nodes in the ring, and in some cases also to each other. In topologies of the ladder class, the nodes are interconnected in a "ladder" topology comprising a series of nodes connected in a ring, the ring corresponding to one standard of a ladder topology folded on itself. Each node in the ring is connected to another node in a second series, effectively forming rungs of the ladder topology.

Abstract: A hub circuit with an integrated bridge circuit carried out in software including a switch for bypassing the bridge process such that the two bridged networks effectively become one network. An in-band management process in software is disclosed which receives and executes network management commands received as data packets from the LANs coupled to the integrated hub/bridge. Also, hardware and software to implement an isolate mode where data packets which would ordinarily be transferred by the bridge process are not transferred except in-band management packets are transferred to the in-band management process regardless of which network from which they arrived. Also disclosed, a packet switching machine having shared high-speed memory with multiple ports, one port coupled to a plurality of LAN controller chips coupled to individual LAN segments and an Ethernet microprocessor that sets up and manages a receive buffer for storing received packets and transferring pointers thereto to a main processor.

Abstract: An asymmetric network communication system for use in a client-server environment having independent forward and return channels operating at different speeds and/or under different protocols on the same or different communication media to provide efficient utilization of shared resources. A network manager, such as a hybrid access system, effects transmission of packetized data on a forward (downstream) channel from the host server to multiple client devices coupled with a shared downstream media at 10 or more megabits per second while simultaneously providing selectable multiple lower speeds of operation on shared or dedicated return (upstream) channels from the client devices to the host server depending on bandwidth availability, bandwidth demand, service level authorization, etc. for the return channel.

Abstract: A network communication system having at least two communication protocol modes, namely, a full power communication mode and a low power, limited communication mode. In the low power mode, the link is line powered and utilizes link pulses to represent binary 1s and idle line states to represent binary 0s so that low power mode communication is entirely compatible with all 10BASE T equipment on the network.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and playing videos. The apparatus includes a storage device containing a video for playback on a user system located on a communications network. The apparatus includes a system connection to a data processing system and a network connection to the communications network. The apparatus includes a transfer means for transferring the video from the storage device to the network using the network connection, wherein the video is directly transferred from the apparatus to the network.

Abstract: An optical communications system comprises an inner core network, a plurality of outer networks coupled to the core, and local networks coupled to the outer networks whereby to provide access to terminals coupled to the network. Information transported between terminals across the network is carried via pixels in a discrete communications space defined by time and wavelength co-ordinates.

Abstract: A method of connecting a new end station to a ring communication system for connecting a number of end stations is constituted by the steps of: i) sensing an attempt by the new end station to attach to the ring; ii) determining whether there is a single end station only existing on the ring; and, iiia) if it is determined that there is more than one end station on the ring, allowing the new end station to attach to the ring and maintaining the ring communication configuration; or b) if it is determined that there is a single end station only on the ring, breaking the ring configuration and setting up two separate communication paths between the new end station and the existing end station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interconnecting first and second networks that use the same protocols for communications by a third network. The third network is defined in the first and second networks as a single virtual communications link of the native type used by the first and second networks. In response to requests from initiating nodes in the first and second networks to communicate with destination nodes in the other of the first and second networks, routing computation services in the first and second networks compute routes through the first and second networks that will connect the originating and destination nodes and that include the virtual link as such a route. The virtual link is also used to remotely support the communication needs of dependent nodes in the first and second networks that do not have the ability to establish communications sessions within the networks on their own.

Abstract: A hub circuit with an integrated bridge circuit carried out in software including a switch for bypassing the bridge process such that the two bridged networks effectively become one network. An in-band management process in software is disclosed which receives and executes network management commands received as data packets from the LANs coupled to the integrated hub/bridge. Also, hardware and software to implement an isolate mode where data packets which would ordinarily be transferred by the bridge process are not transferred except in-band management packets are transferred to the in-band management process regardless of which network from which they arrived. Also disclosed, a packet switching machine having shared high-speed memory with multiple ports, one port coupled to a plurality of LAN controller chips coupled to individual LAN segments and an Ethernet microprocessor that sets up and manages a receive buffer for storing received packets and transferring pointers thereto to a main processor.

Abstract: A hub circuit with an integrated bridge circuit carried out in software including a switch for bypassing the bridge process such that the two bridged networks effectively become one network. An in-band management process in software is disclosed which receives and executes network management commands received as data packets from the LANs coupled to the integrated hub/bridge. Also, hardware and software to implement an isolate mode where data packets which would ordinarily be transferred by the bridge process are not transferred except in-band management packets are transferred to the in-band management process regardless of which network from which they arrived. Also disclosed, a packet switching machine having shared high-speed memory with multiple ports, one port coupled to a plurality of LAN controller chips coupled to individual LAN segments and an Ethernet microprocessor that sets up and manages a receive buffer for storing received packets and transferring pointers thereto to a main processor.

Abstract: An advanced data server including an I/O ring coupled to at least one I/O access channel which provides data to the I/O ring or reads data out from the I/O ring; a disc array ring coupled to least two disc arrays which store therein data received from the disc array ring or retrieve therefrom data for receipt by the disc array ring, the disc array ring also being coupled to the I/O ring so that data can flow between those rings; and a server controller coupled to the I/O ring and the disc array ring for controlling the operations thereof. The I/O ring includes a first ring controller which controls receipt of data from the I/O access channel and transfer of that data to the disc array ring, or receipt of data from the disc array ring and transfer of that data to the I/O access channel.

Abstract: A hub circuit with an integrated bridge circuit carried out in software including a switch for bypassing the bridge process such that the two bridged networks effectively become one network. An in-band management process in software is disclosed which receives and executes network management commands received as data packets from the LANs coupled to the integrated hub/bridge. Also, hardware and software to implement an isolate mode where data packets which would ordinarily be transferred by the bridge process are not transferred except in-band management packets are transferred to the in-band management process regardless of which network from which they arrived. Also disclosed, a packet switching machine having shared high-speed memory with multiple ports, one port coupled to a plurality of LAN controller chips coupled to individual LAN segments and an Ethernet microprocessor that sets up and manages a receive buffer for storing received packets and transferring pointers thereto to a main processor.

Abstract: A local network for connecting a plurality of stations includes a main ring which is formed by a number of network interfaces coupled via main ring lines, which network interfaces are each coupled to a respective one of the stations, and a first relief ring, which is formed by a number of bridge elements coupled in series via relief ring lines. The relief ring is coupled to the main ring. At least one bridge element is provided for establishing a connection between the first relief ring and the main ring.

Abstract: A personal communication network distribution system includes a predetermined number of node devices, a controller, and a network connecting the controller to each of the node devices. The network carries a time division multiplexed signal having a plurality of channels for carrying digital communication information signals between the controller and the respective node devices. Each respective node device is assigned a respective predetermined number of the plurality of channels for receiving digital communication information signals from and/or for inserting digital communication information signals into the time division multiplexed signal. The time division multiplexed signal also includes a second predetermined number of non-assigned channels.

Abstract: A high bandwidth gateway comprises a source of packet traffic wherein received packets are stored in a buffer, a destination interface circuit for the packets, a microprocessor and a bus that interconnects the components. The microprocessor, which in the prior art controls data transfers, periodically gives up control to a hardware assist engine. The hardware assist engine detects the presence of packets in the source buffer and causes the source buffer to output one or more packets to the destination directly, thus by-passing the microprocessor completely. By this system, bandwidth is improved by the source and the destination working together directly, without having the overhead associated with microprocessor-based or initiated data transfers.

Abstract: A network interface for connecting a first network utilizing a first medium access control protocol to a plurality of relatively slower networks utilizing a second medium access control protocol. The network interface includes memory in which a table of addresses of nodes on the plurality of second networks is maintained. The network interface passes data from a data packet received from the first network to one of the plurality of second networks only if the destination address of the data packet matches one of the node addresses within the table of node addresses. The network interface passes data from a data packet received from one of the plurality of second networks to the first network only if the destination address of the data packet does not match a node address in the table of node addresses.

Abstract: A voice adaptation device (18) provides an interface between a narrowband local access network and a broadband asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) backbone network (16). The voice adaptation device (18) includes a T1/E1 network adaptor (50) that converts T1/E1 signals carrying narrowband voice traffic into an ATM cell format. The T1/E1 network adaptor (50) also performs echo cancelling, voice enhancement, digital voice protocol conversion, and compression/decompression on the narrowband voice traffic. The voice adaptation device (18) also includes a synchronous optical network formatter (52) that places ATM cells generated by the T1/E1 network adaptor (50) into synchronous optical network signals. The synchronous optical network signals are transmitted across the broadband ATM backbone network (16).

Abstract: A so-called "ELAN contronect network" is employed to interconnect sub-ELANs to form an ELAN. More specifically, the "ELAN contronect network" is a separate network for interconnecting the servers of the sub-ELANs, where a sub-ELAN is a part of an ELAN having its own LES and BUS that may also be configured as a stand-alone ELAN. Each of the sub-ELANs is connected to the ELAN contronect network via a point-to-point connection-oriented connection, e.g., an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) connection and the ELAN contronect network is configured to present itself to each of the servers of the sub-ELANs as clients thereof. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the ELAN contronect network includes an address server, a broadcast/route server, a configuration server, multimedia servers, and at least one LAN hub interconnected over a high-speed backbone.

Abstract: An asymmetric network communication system for use in a client-server environment having independent forward and return channels operating at different speeds and/or under different protocols on the same or different communication media to provide efficient utilization of shared resources. A network manager, such as a hybrid access system, effects transmission of packetized data on a forward (downstream) channel from the host server to multiple client devices coupled with a shared downstream media at 10 or more megabits per second while simultaneously providing selectable multiple lower speeds of operation on shared or dedicated return (upstream) channels from the client devices to the host server depending on bandwidth availability, bandwidth demand, service level authorization, etc. for the return channel.

Abstract: In advanced digital networks for providing selective point-to-point communications between subscriber's terminals and broadband server's equipment operated by a plurality of independent information service providers, routing through the network is controlled by functionality identified as a Level 1 Gateway. In an enhanced video dial tone network additionally providing an array of broadcast services from multiple providers, the Level 1 Gateway also provides high level control over at least some of the broadcast services. The Level 1 Gateway will perform a variety of functions including communications port management of transmissions of information between subscribers and servers, processing of billing information and session management. The Level 1 Gateway generates menus of providers and broadcast services, either as a function of providers and services available through a particular portion of the network or in a customized fashion specified by individual subscribers.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for transmitting a packet from a source node S in a first stub 300 to a destination node D in a second stub 306 of an internet communications network 200. The first stub 300 is connected with a public data network (PDN) 210 by a first access point node Ra and the second stub 306 is connected with the PDN 210 by a second access point node Rd. The first access point node Ra, writes its PDN subnetwork address in the packet. The first access point node Ra then transmits the packet via a sequence of one or more intermediary access point nodes Rb, Rc on a base path until the packet reaches the second access point node Rd. The second access point node Rd receives the packet via the base path. The second access point node Rd stores the PDN subnetwork address of the first access point node Ra (contained in the packet) in an entry 131 of shortcut table 130 maintained at the second access point node Rd.