Apparatus and method for executing communication protocol conversions
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for use in data communications;
- said apparatus comprising;
a plurality of peripheral interface devices, each said device including means for executing only a single communication protocol conversion between a preselected external communication protocol and a uniform communication protocol;
means, associated with each said peripheral interface device, for establishing a communication link with a plurality of peripherals, said plurality of peripherals operating according to said preselected external communication protocol of said associatedperipheral interface devicemeans for establishing a data communication path between and among said devices, said data communciations being made along said path according to said uniform communication protocol; and
a plurality of network interface devices, said network interface devices having means for establishing a data communication link to a data communication network according to said uniform communication protocol, said plurality of network interface devices also being interconnected with said communication path establishing means whereby all said network interface devices can communicate with all said peripheral interface devices and among each other.
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Abstract
An apparatus for efficiently executing communication protocol conversions includes a plurality of peripheral interface devices each executing only a single communication protocol conversion whereby the processing capacity required is reduced for each such device. In addition, a single network wide uniform communication protocol is incorporated within each apparatus.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in data communications;
- said apparatus comprising;
a plurality of peripheral interface devices, each said device including means for executing only a single communication protocol conversion between a preselected external communication protocol and a uniform communication protocol; means, associated with each said peripheral interface device, for establishing a communication link with a plurality of peripherals, said plurality of peripherals operating according to said preselected external communication protocol of said associated peripheral interface device means for establishing a data communication path between and among said devices, said data communciations being made along said path according to said uniform communication protocol; and a plurality of network interface devices, said network interface devices having means for establishing a data communication link to a data communication network according to said uniform communication protocol, said plurality of network interface devices also being interconnected with said communication path establishing means whereby all said network interface devices can communicate with all said peripheral interface devices and among each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- said apparatus comprising;
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10. A data communication network comprising:
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a plurality of subsystems interconnected via a networking medium, each said subsystem independently controlling all data traffic flow therethrough, each said subsystem including a plurality of peripheral interface devices, each said device being dedicated to execute only a single communication protocol between a preselected external communication protocol and a uniform communication protocol which said preselected external communication protocol can be selected in only a single one of said subsystem without affecting any other said subsystem; means, associated with each said peripheral interface device in said network, for establishing a data communication path between and among all said peripheral interface devices within each said subsystem; and means, associated with each subsystem and identical throughout said network, for controlling all data traffic flow between said plurality of peripheral interface devices thereof and said network according to said uniform communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A subsystem for providing data communication services between a plurality of peripherals operating according to different communication protocols;
- said subsystem comprising;
a plurality of peripheral interface devices each being adapted to execute only a single communication protocol conversion between one of said different communication protocols to a communication protocol uniform to all said peripheral interface devices; means for interconnecting all of said peripheral interface devices, said interconnection means includes a masterless multiple access collision detection bus, and a data transmission bus, said collision detection bus being distinct from said data transmission bus; and means, associated with each said peripheral interface devices, for controlling all data traffic flow thereamong according to said uniform communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
- said subsystem comprising;
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17. A method of executing communication protocol conversions within a communication network;
- said method comprises the steps of;
providing each subsystem of said network with a plurality of peripheral interface devices, each said device being provided with a means for executing only a single communication protocol conversion between a preselected one of a number of different external communication protocols and a uniform communication protocol; interconnecting said peripheral interface devices within each subsystem thereby establishing data communication thereamong according to said uniform communication protocol; establishing a communication link between each said peripheral interface device and a plurality of peripherals such that only peripherals operating according to said preselected one of said different communication protocols are interconnected with that said peripheral interface device having the same external communication protocol conversion means associated therewith; providing, on each said peripheral interface device, means for controlling all data traffic flow therethrough; and providing each said subsystem with at least one network interface device for controlling all data traffic flow between said peripheral interface devices and said communication network according to said uniform communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
- said method comprises the steps of;
Specification