Data subsystem traffic control apparatus and method
First Claim
1. Apparatus for data traffic control throughout a multisubsystem communications network of the class having a plurality of substantially identical subsystems interconnected to a network medium, with each subsystem associated with a given number of peripherals wherein said plurality of subsystems are controlled by a system control computer having associated therewith a data bank for storing therein operative communications protocols for said communications network comprising:
- a given number of network interface devices associated with each subsystem of said network, each of said network interface devices being substantially indentical in configuration in each of said subsystems and each operative to transmit and receive data from said network medium and each operative to communicate with others of said network interface devices within a given subsystem via a subsystem bus to which bus each network interface device in said given subsystem is connected, each network interface device including;
means for monitoring the data flow through each network interface device in a given subsystem to provide an indication of data flow through each of said network interface device;
means for storing for each of said network interface devices a series of preselected data flow rate threshold levels for comparing a selected level with said indication of data flow and for providing a control output signal when said threshold level is exceeded;
means responsive to said control signal to transmit new data directed at a network interface device providing said control output signal to another network interface device within said subsystem as connected to said data bus, whereby the data load in each subsystem will be distributed relatively equally among said given number of network interface devices in said subsystem.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling data traffic throughout a communication network includes a plurality of network interface devices in each subsystem. The interface devices are substantially identical throughout the network and each autonomously controls all data traffic thereacross.
44 Citations
11 Claims
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1. Apparatus for data traffic control throughout a multisubsystem communications network of the class having a plurality of substantially identical subsystems interconnected to a network medium, with each subsystem associated with a given number of peripherals wherein said plurality of subsystems are controlled by a system control computer having associated therewith a data bank for storing therein operative communications protocols for said communications network comprising:
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a given number of network interface devices associated with each subsystem of said network, each of said network interface devices being substantially indentical in configuration in each of said subsystems and each operative to transmit and receive data from said network medium and each operative to communicate with others of said network interface devices within a given subsystem via a subsystem bus to which bus each network interface device in said given subsystem is connected, each network interface device including; means for monitoring the data flow through each network interface device in a given subsystem to provide an indication of data flow through each of said network interface device; means for storing for each of said network interface devices a series of preselected data flow rate threshold levels for comparing a selected level with said indication of data flow and for providing a control output signal when said threshold level is exceeded; means responsive to said control signal to transmit new data directed at a network interface device providing said control output signal to another network interface device within said subsystem as connected to said data bus, whereby the data load in each subsystem will be distributed relatively equally among said given number of network interface devices in said subsystem. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of controlling data flow through a subsystem of a communications network, said subsystem having a plurality of network interface devices, said network operating in accordance with a given communication protocol, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing, on each said network interface device, a data transport controller having a memory for storing in memory in such transport controller a preselected data flow threshold; generating a control signal when data traffic through one of said interface device exceeds said stored preselected data flow threshold; transferring, when said control signal is generated from said one network interface device, all new data input requests to said one device to another said network interface device within said subsystem; and reducing, in response to a second control signal from any other one of said network interface devices, data flow across all said network interface devices within said subsystem. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification