Abstract: An open architecture platform bypasses data from the facilities of a telecommunications carrier, e.g. an incumbent local exchange carrier, by distinguishing between voice and data traffic, and handling voice and data traffic separately. An SS7 gateway receives and transmits SS7 signaling messages with the platform. When signaling for a call arrives, the SS7 gateway informs a control server on the platform. The control server manages the platform resources, including the SS7 gateway, tandem network access servers (NASs) and modem NASs. A tandem NAS receives the call over bearer channels. The control server determines whether the incoming call is voice traffic or data traffic, by the dialed number, and instructs the tandem NAS how to handle the call. Voiced traffic is transmitted to a switch for transmission from the platform. Data traffic is terminated at a modem NAS, where it is converted into a form suitable for a data network, such as a private data network or an Internet services provider (ISP).

Abstract: Methods and systems for routing messages between a mated pair of routing nodes with a distributed processing architecture and one or more redundantly connected remote applications are disclosed. A mated pair of routing nodes uses private point codes to distribute messages destined for remote applications among internal processing modules and between the routing nodes. The routing nodes replace the private point codes with a shared point code before sending the messages to one of the remote applications. When communicating with external PSTN nodes, the mated pair of routing nodes uses the shared point code.

Abstract: Broadband integrated services are performed via digital, channelized or optically coded networks by a system which organizes, interfaces, provisions, loads and controls, in real time, the transport of grouped or organized information (such as packetized cell data) through interface access devices and packet switches that are compliant with domestic and international communication standards. A packet core network includes multiple packet switches and interface access devices coupled to an existing narrowband or broadband network. A signaling manager, a provisioning manager and a traffic manager perform all broadband and narrowband routing, port provisioning and connecting functions for all network devices. A set of software interface modules for each equipment vendor allows the provisioning manager, the signaling manager and the traffic manager to impose control demands and make network management decisions on a real time basis via an application protocol interface.

Abstract: A communication network includes a Security Gatekeeper that authenticates and validates network control messages within, transiting, entering and leaving an overlying control fabric such as an SS7 network. The Security Gatekeeper incorporates several levels of checks to ensure that messages are properly authenticated, valid, and consistent with call progress and system status. In addition to message format, message content is checked to ensure that the originating node has the proper authority to send the message and to invoke the related functions and that the message, itself, is appropriately coded. Predefined sets of templates may be used to check the messages, each set of templates being associated with respective originating point codes and/or calling party addresses. The templates may also be associated with various system states such that messages corresponding to a particular template cause a state transition along a particular edge to a next state node for which another set of templates is defined.

Abstract: A transmission efficient packet based display interface arranged to couple a multimedia source device to a multimedia sink device is disclosed. The transmission efficient interface includes a bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between the multimedia source device and the multimedia sink device and vice versa, wherein the information transferred over the auxiliary channel includes a set of packet attributes. The interface also includes a unidirectional main link arranged to carry a number multimedia data packets from the transmitter unit to the receiver unit each having a multimedia data packet header. In the described embodiment, each of the headers is substantially reduced in size over what would otherwise be necessary since the packet attributes are communicated via the auxiliary channel prior to the transmission of the main link packets over main link thereby minimizing the packet overhead and providing a very high main link efficiency.

Abstract: A method for setting up signaling connection between an RNC and an SGSN in a mobile communication system is provided. Upon receiving a service request for a particular MBMS service from a particular UE, an RNC determines whether it is necessary to set up new signaling connection for the particular MBMS service, and sets up signaling connection with an SGSN according to the determination result. The SGSN, if it desires to stop the particular MBMS service, sends a service stop request to the RNC over the signaling connection set for the particular MBMS service. The RNC then instructs at least one UE providing the particular MBMS service to stop the particular MBMS service in response to the service stop request.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of setting up a call matching a predetermined set of requested services and/or characteristics over a network, optionally a network that is composite and multi-component. The method is characterized in that it consists in subdividing said network into a plurality of domains, with a negotiator unit being associated with each domain, in sending to at least one negotiator unit a call setup request together with a set of parameters defining the services and/or characteristics associated with the call to be set up, and, where appropriate, in setting up the call after determining the appropriate available resources in the various domains concerned and selecting resources providing the best possible match with said set of services and/or characteristics.

Abstract: An adjunct processor controls an inter-fabric service link (IFSL) coupled to at least two independent SAN switching networks. The inter-fabric service link is coupled between multiple switching fabrics to allow the attached switching fabrics to be logically managed as a single entity while still being physically independent of each other. The IFSL does not transmit nor receive data being transmitted from a storage device to a host; rather, only management data is transmitted along the IFSL. The IFSL includes an inter-fabric adjunct processor, and a plurality of connections to the attached switching fabrics on which the IFSL communicates with IFSL agents operating on various switching elements within the attached switching fabrics. IFSL agents generate management data corresponding to the particular switching element on which the agent operates. This management data is intermittently transmitted to the IFSL for processing.

Abstract: Call queuing is implemented in a telecommunications advanced intelligent network. A determination is made that the call has been queued for a determined amount of time. The caller is requested to perform an action to remain in a queue. If the caller does not perform the requested action, the call is dequeued.

Abstract: A mobile station, and corresponding system and method, the mobile station including an IQ multiplexer configured to IQ multiplex transmission data for a data channel and a control data for control channel, and to generate a complex signal; and a transmitter configured to modulate the complex signal generated by the IQ multiplexer, and to transmit the modulated complex signal. When control data for a channel are added, the IQ multiplexer is further configured to assign the control data to be added to the I axis or the Q axis according to whether a set number for the data channel is an odd number or an even number.

Abstract: In a communications network, communications terminals exchange call control capability data which mutually identifies selected call control protocols and network address types. The terminals subsequently set up a call using protocols chosen from those identified. The terminals may continuously monitor for a request for the exchange of such data, allowing other parties to join a session subsequently, after the initial set up.

Abstract: When a telecommunications network involves use of the Internet Protocol, signalling information is passed by providing between a user and the Internet Protocol an interface protocol (56) which interfaces with one or both of the Transport Control Protocol and the User Datagram Protocol. The interface protocol layer provides selected parts of SS7 facilities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for improving the service architecture for a compound network, comprising several types of access, as well as comprising parallel service nodes/networks for respective access technologies, and for the purpose of making customer specific adaptations to the service layer more flexible and allowing for a more cost-effective support of access specific protocols and service, it is according to the present invention suggested that said arrangement comprises an open service control protocol allowing support of access specific protocols and services while also allowing the respective access networks to share the same access nodes and service architectures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for routing a message from a Cell Control to a Mobile Control of a Radio Network Control equipment and vice versa. Such methods are substantially known in the art for Radio Network Controllers RNCs. The present invention proposes a communication between functional entities of a distributed RNC enabling the routing of the message by using known protocols and reusing identifiers already known for these protocols.

Abstract: A method and an equipment implementing the method that allow a logical channel, to which a received burst relates, to be identified with certainty also in demanding operational circumstances. A logical channel relating to a time slot is identified by applying channel decoding. The identification can be a primary identification or a confirming identification taking place after a primary identifier the time slot comprises, preferably a bit map, has been interpreted. If identification based on channel decoding contradicts identification based on the bit map, a receiver can be arranged to indicate logical channel information on the basis of the channel decoding, for instance by changing the bit map, when selected criteria are met, to a bit map conforming to the logical channel identified on the basis of the channel decoding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing signaling links in a signaling link set accommodates a plurality of signaling links having different data link formats in a signaling link set connecting adjacent signaling points. The method is preferably one which manages signaling links a signaling system No. 7 (SS7) network. This method includes adding one or more signaling links having different data link formats to a signaling link set of the SS7 network, and processing signal message transfer between adjacent signaling points through one or more main signaling links which have superior bandwidth compared with the added links. Through this method, it is possible to make a natural development of a signaling network possible, boost stability of signaling network by diversifying media for transfer simultaneously, and get economic effects in constructing a signaling network through re-using data links used previously.

Abstract: A method for sharing signaling event data in a telephony system can include receiving within a first service logic component an event from a telephony signaling network. An event context can be determined for the event and asynchronously stored within an event context cache communicatively linked with at least said first service logic component and a second service logic component.

Abstract: AV/C command and response data packets are used for asynchronous data block transactions between devices over an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. Extension data fields hold extension data that support new or added features of an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network and devices operating therein. The AV/C data packets are encoded for the extension data fields by providing extended fields data within data fields of the Function Control Protocol (FCP) data frames. The extended fields data specifies whether or not the packet includes extension data fields, and if so, how many bytes of extension data may be included within the data field. Extension data supports device and system features such as transaction labels and error/result messages. Transaction data is used to determine the number of other extension data fields to be used during AV/C data transacted between devices and provides for the ability to establish communication protocols based on mutually supported features.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for reliably processing changes in signaling bits for telecommunication transmitted over a network. The system includes a plurality of framer farms adapted to generate a corresponding plurality of event signals responsive to a corresponding plurality of signaling events. An event manager is adapted to sequence the plurality of event signals. The plurality of framers is adapted to receive a corresponding plurality of digital signals, extract therefrom corresponding signaling data, and generate a corresponding event signal responsive to the signaling data. A signaling queue is adapted to queue the signaling data and a signal register is adapted to read the signaling queue. The event manager includes an event queue adapted to queue the plurality of event signals, a status register adapted to maintain a status of the event queue, and an event register adapted to read the event queue.

Abstract: A method and mapper apparatus for reallocating bandwidth used by a data tributary comprising data units, during transport of the data tributary over a communications link by a time division multiplexing (TDM) frame (e.g., a SONET frame comprising N×STS-1s) from a source device to a sink device. Each the data unit occupies one time slot of the frame and the data units are encoded to differentiate between payload data and control codes. At the source device, a designated code (IGNORE CODE) is inserted in each unallocated time slot to identify that the time slot contains no payload data (the designated code being ignored by the sink device). New set(s) of time slots to be allocated (i.e., to increase bandwidth) or de-allocated (i.e., to decrease bandwidth) to the tributary are determined. The new set(s) of time slots are communicated to the sink device. Confirmation of the communication is received from the sink device.

Abstract: A DCE sends a first command to a DTE if data transmission from the DCE has not ended at a predetermined timing after the end of data transfer from the DTE to the DCE. The DTE sends a second command to the DCE at an arbitrary timing upon reception of the first command. Upon reception of the second command, the DCE sends to the DTE the first command if data transmission has not ended, or a third command if data transmission has ended. The DTE and DCE execute a post-data transmission procedure after they exchange the third command.

Abstract: A serial communications architecture for communicating between hosts and data store devices. The Storage Link architecture is specially adapted to support communications between multiple hosts and storage devices via a switching network, such as a storage area network. The Storage Link architecture specifies various communications techniques that can be combined to reduce the overall cost and increase the overall performance of communications. The Storage Link architecture may provide packet ordering based on packet type, dynamic segmentation of packets, asymmetric packet ordering, packet nesting, variable-sized packet headers, and use of out-of-band symbols to transmit control information as described below in more detail. The Storage Link architecture may also specify encoding techniques to optimize transitions and to ensure DC-balance.

Abstract: A communication system comprising a mobile station and a network implements a persistent packet data control channel that provides for a continuous exchange of control information, such as system information (SI) messages and handoff-related information. The mobile station implements the persistent packet data control channel by mapping the persistent packet data control channel to a packet associated control channel when a packet associated control channel is available and to a virtual associated control channel when a packet associated control channel is not available. The virtual associated control channel allows the mobile station to pass control information to network in the absence of an uplink Temporary Block Flow (TBF).

Abstract: A system and method for detecting cut-off of calls in a switching system records data corresponding to connection of a call in a first memory, records the call connection data in a second memory, and then at a later time and, for example, in response to a call release request compares the data in the two memories corresponding to the call. If the data does match, it is determined that the call has been cut-off. The first memory may be located in a switching unit and the second memory may be located in a processor which controls the switching unit. The switching unit may be a time switch or a space switch. Once a call cut-off is detected, the processor transmits information notifying an operator of the cut-off. The system and method represents an improvement over existing systems in terms of increased reliability and ease of repair and maintenance of system components.

Abstract: A mobile station, and corresponding system and method, the mobile station including an IQ multiplexer configured to IQ multiplex transmission data for data channels, control data for a control channel, and control data for an exclusive control channel for high speed downlink packet data, and to generate a complex signal; and a transmitter configured to modulate and transmit the complex signal generated by the IQ multiplexer. The IQ multiplexer assigns the transmission data for the data channel to the I axis and the Q axis, alternately, and assigns control data to the Q axis. When control data for high speed downlink packet data are added, the IQ multiplexer assigns the control data for high speed downlink packet data to the Q axis when a set number for the data channel is an odd number and to the I axis when the set number is an even number.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the unused capacity of a wireless communication channel utilize the data fields of an special burst (SB) in order to signal physical layer control signaling for coordination between a Node B and a user equipment (UE). The control signaling may include improved reception of SBs, enclose transmit power control commands or any physical layer control signaling for coordination between the UE and the Node B for synchronization timing advance or reconfiguration of the physical channel. This system and method may be applied independently to the uplink and the downlink.

Abstract: A method of using DOCSIS 1.1 features to allow the addition of ISPs and QOS levels to a single cable modem without having to modify the CMTS is described in the various figures. Instead of using the SID of a data packet to determine the VPN tag of a data packet (DOCSIS 1.0), a service flow is used to identify the appropriate tag. This is done using the DOCSIS 1.1 configuration file. By doing so, the need for creating additional sub-interfaces in the cable modem interface does not arise. Instead, the configuration is modified at the provisioning server, i.e., the DHCP/TFTP server.

Abstract: In a system having a bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between a video source and a video display and vice versa and a unidirectional main link arranged to carry a number multimedia data packets from the video source to the video display, a method of establishing a stable main link. The method is carried out by performing a link training session carried out over the auxiliary channel to establish the stable main link, prior to starting transmission of multimedia data packet streams from a video transmitter to a video receiver over the main channel.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for digital communication via a time division multiplexed serial data stream. A serial communication system according to the present invention includes a serial communication controller having a set of functional units each configured to perform a specific function of a serial communication protocol. The functional units are operably coupled in series in order to produce digital data according to the serial communication protocol. The set of functional units operates alternately upon an active one of the multiple serial data channels within the time division multiplexed serial data stream. Each functional unit may be a state machine including one or more programmable registers for storing state information which determines the operating state of the functional unit.

Abstract: An H.323 or SIP connection is set up from a source network (LAN1) via at least one packet-oriented transit network (WAN1, WAN2) to a connection destination (EG2) which is external to the source network. The connection is set up via gateway devices (GW1, . . . , GW4) which are cascaded between networks and respectively manage only access to gateway devices and communication devices which are logically directly adjacent. In this context, H.323 connection setup signaling (SET1, . . . , SET4) is conveyed, using logical address information (030-222) or sections thereof (030, 030-2), from gateway device to gateway device until it reaches the connection destination (EG2).

Abstract: Power is controlled by increasing the power level of a wireless transmission if a number of packet errors in a short observation window exceeds a first threshold. Power is controlled by decreasing the power level of the wireless transmission if a number of packet errors in a long observation window falls below a second threshold. In various embodiments, power is controlled based on packet error rate using both open and closed loop feedback to manage power at an increased level of granularity.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for converting point codes in a signal transfer point, STP, in a telecommunications signaling system. The STP includes a point code conversion function (500) which converts point codes designating the origination and destination signaling points for a signaling message. The conversion function can be incorporated between the signaling link layer (200) and the network layer (300) of the message transfer part, MTP, functionality of the STP.

Abstract: There is provided a device and method for transmitting data with different QoSs in a mobile communication system. To transmit the data with different QoSs, an RLP layer divides the data into datagrams according to the QoSs, a MUX layer multiplexes the datagrams received from the RLP layer and outputs multiplexed TU data, a plurality of QCCHs for receiving the multiplexed TU data and outputs TU blocks with the QoSs by puncturing and repeating information added according to the QoSs for the multiplexed TU data, and an MQC maps the TU blocks received on the QCCHs according to the QoSs.

Abstract: A transmission efficient packet based display interface arranged to couple a multimedia source device to a multimedia sink device is disclosed. The transmission efficient interface includes a bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between the multimedia source device and the multimedia sink device and vice versa, wherein the information transferred over the auxiliary channel includes a set of packet attributes. The interface also includes a unidirectional main link arranged to carry a number multimedia data packets from the transmitter unit to the receiver unit each having a multimedia data packet header. In the described embodiment, each of the headers is substantially reduced in size over what would otherwise be necessary since the packet attributes are communicated via the auxiliary channel prior to the transmission of the main link packets over main link thereby minimizing the packet overhead and providing a very high main link efficiency.

Abstract: Signalling messages conforming to different signalling protocols in a distributed switch telecommunications network are correlated by associating specific pairs of messages according to parameters they have in common. Inter-MGC IAMs and SS7 IAMs are correlated by the combination of Calling & Called address parameters; the connection descriptor parameter included in inter-MGC IAMs and MGCP OK messages can be used to correlate these messages; and the MGCP OK message can be correlated with the MGCP CRCX message using the transaction ID. Hence a correspondence can be deduced between an MGCP endpointname (in the CRCX message) and an ISUP OPC-DPC-CIC identification (in the SS7 IAM).

Abstract: ATM is used as a transport and switching mechanism in a hybrid STM/ATM network while the signaling remains normal narrowband signaling. The narrowband signaling is transported on permanent paths over ATM connections, and the narrowband speech channels are transported on ATM and switched on a “Per call basis” (on-demand) through an ATM switch. A translator formats a call-setup-related signaling message into ATM cells so that the signaling message can be routed through an ATM switch to a circuit switched (STM) node. The circuit switched node (PSTN/ISDN) sets up a physical connection for the call and generates a further signaling message therefor that relates to the physical connection. The ATM switch routes an ATM cell-formatted version of the further signaling message to another ATM switch over an ATM physical interface. Thus, the ATM switch switches both narrowband traffic and signaling for the call over the ATM physical interface.

Abstract: A remote control is operative to transmit a remote control signal composed of a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are typically a pulse and a space. The pulse has a pulse width of a given duration within a pulse width range, while the space has a space width of a given duration within a space width range. An interrupt signal provided to indicate the end of transmission of the remote control signal is disabled when a space portion requires a space width greater than the space width range. The interrupt signal signaling the end of the remote control transmission is then disabled for a predetermined period of time essentially equivalent to a length of time that the additional space exceeds the space width. During the predetermined period of time, the remote control thus transmits a space. The interrupt signal is then re-enabled after expiration of the predetermined period of time in order to allow for another remote control transmission.

Abstract: A multiplexing equipment included in an ATM network to transmit control line signals for interfacing data communication terminals. The transmission of the control line signals is realized by reserving a field in a payload in a cell format for the control line signal transmission between the data communication terminals, mapping RS/CD, CS, ER/DR, CI of the control line signals at intervals based on a terminal speed, multiplexing the mapped control line signals at the transmission side, and separating the multiplexed control line signals at reception side.

Abstract: A method and communication network for administering additional services which provides that a subscriber self-input into communication terminal equipment be initiated by the subscriber for the respective additional service and, due to the subscriber self-input at least one structured container message is generated by the communication terminal equipment and is sent to a memory unit of the communication network. The container message received by the memory unit is inventively forwarded via an interface that connects the memory unit to the service control point. The interface implemented between memory unit and service control point makes it possible that the container message can be forwarded up to the service control point for a service handling via the subscriber self-input for the additional service.

Abstract: A remote site stores data received from a currently-used site and transfers the stored data to a proximal site. The proximal site stores the data received from the remote site and transfers the stored data to the currently-used site. The currently-used site crosschecks the data returned from the proximal site against the data transmitted to the remote site, and when the two data do not match each other, transmits the data to the remote site again.

Abstract: A node, which supports enhanced link sets, which includes two signaling point codes such that one of the signaling point codes is used to identify functions and MTP users which can make full use of a longer and unsegmented message length (i.e., in excess of 255 octets) which heretofore had to be segmented before being delivered to link sets supporting only messages according to Q.703.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for triggering an uplink transmission in a cable modem. A number of time indicators (301) are received in a downlink direction. There is established knowledge about a total time offset related to propagation delays in a network from which the time indicators are received. There is also established knowledge about an allocated uplink transmission slot number determined in relation to the received time indicators. The total time offset is reduced into a remainder value that is smaller than the total time offset. A shifted slot counter (304, 405) is synchronized to a shifted time base (302, 303) which has an offset to the time base provided by the received time indicators (301), said offset being equal to said remainder value. An uplink transmission triggering signal is generated as a response to said shifted slot counter (405) giving a certain slot number.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for calculating spatial processing strategies in adaptive antenna array processing systems. Reference signal quality, intersymbol interference, data processed and received signal quality can be determined by burst type or remote device type and used to determine a synthetic signal level for use in developing a spatial processing strategy. A synthetic signal have an isotropically distributed component can be added to the antennas in the array or the diagonal elements of the received signal covariance matrix to develop uplink and downlink spatial processing strategies. Different synthetic signals at different signal levels can be used to develop different uplink and downlink spatial processing strategies. The downlink signal level can be larger than the uplink signal level. Uplink and downlink processing strategies can be developed in substantially the same way.

Abstract: Signalling information is conveyed from a transmitting device (101) to a receiving device (102) in a cellular radio network where user data transmission takes place on a traffic channel in discrete transmission bursts (111–120; 211–220; 310–313) consisting of consecutive symbols. A piece of signalling information is formatted into symbols which are transmitted as a block of consecutive symbols (FACCH) in a certain transmission burst of a traffic channel. It is also indicated within said certain transmission burst that it contains symbols carrying signalling information.

Abstract: In a device for data transmission having a central station and a plurality of subscribers, in addition to useful signal data phases, signaling data phases are provided for the downlink and uplink in a transmission frame (3). The signaling data phases for the downlink are divided into signaling data phases related to the central station and related to the protocol. The positions of these two signaling data phases are identified directly or indirectly by identifiers.

Abstract: A communication connecting device includes a terminal unit controller for temporarily storing data received from a sending terminal unit. A packetizer/depacketizer collectively codes the data sequentially read out in accordance with size information fed from a size information storage. The packetizer/depacketizer determines whether or not the current data is the last one of a continues sequence of data and delivers, if the answer of the decision is positive, a detection signal to a frequency-of-transmission monitor. A UDPTL controller feeds additional data read out of the buffer to the frequency-of-transmission monitor in accordance with ITU-T Recommendation T.38. In response to the detection signal, the monitor outputs a control signal such that the coded data not sent a preselected number of times are repeatedly read out of the buffer and retransmitted the preselected number of times.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting at least one client signal within a server signal which has a predetermined transmission bit rate, with the transmission bit rate of the client signal and the transmission bit rate of the server signal being different. To this end, at least one identification number, which indicates the transmission bit rate relationships, is determined for at least one client signal at the transmission end, and the data in the at least one client signal are inserted uniformly into the server signal via sigma-delta modulation and using the determined identification number. The server signal is transmitted with the determined identification number and, at the receiving end, the data in the at least one client signal is determined via sigma-delta modulation and using the transmitted identification number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for transferring an ATM call. A first ATM call (124) is established between a first party (120) and a second party (116) and a second ATM call (128) is established between the second party (116) and a third party (118). The first and second ATM calls both include a plurality of segments (124a–d, 128a–d) or connections that are coupled to a plurality of ATM switches (208, 210, 212, 214) over ATM facilities to provide virtual connections. The transfer is accomplished by sending a message to the ATM switch over the ATM facility (109) to request the transfer of the first party to the third party. The message identifies the first ATM call and the second ATM call. The switch makes a new connection (220) between the first ATM call and the second ATM call and releases the segments of the first and second ATM calls that connect the ATM switch to the second party. As a result, the first party and the third party are connected for communication.

Abstract: In an information transmission method, error robustness is provided for the bit stream itself so that decoding processing can be properly performed even in the event of an error in important information such as header information. A bit stream reconstruction circuit (107) in an encoding apparatus adds sync signals to the heads of encoded data streams, which are encoded by an encoder (103), in certain bit stream units, and then inserts designation information in each bit stream by using a designation information insertion circuit (106). Each designation information indicates the addition of information for reconstructing important header information. By inserting the designation information in the bit stream obtained, reconstruction information can be added to the bit stream.

Abstract: Support for a mixed network environment is provided which can contain multiple isochronous and/or non-isochronous LAN protocols such as isochronous-ethernet, ethernet, isochronous-token ring, token ring, other isochronous-LAN or other LAN systems. Support for a mixed environment includes a protocol detection mechanism which is embodied in a handshaking scheme. This handshaking scheme determines the signalling capability at the end points of the link and implements the correct protocol. This enables isochronous nodes and hubs to automatically detect the presence of ethernet, token ring, or other LAN equipment at the other end of the network cable. If this detection occurs, the isochronous LAN equipment will fall-back to a LAN compliant mode of operation. Typically, only the hub will have the capability of operating in different networking modes, such as ethernet, Token Ring isochronous modes.