Asymmetric hybrid access system and method

• US 5,586,121 A
• Filed: 04/21/1995
• Issued: 12/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hybrid Patents Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hybrid Networks, Inc. (Iowave, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gronski, Jan M., Moura, Eduardo J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOM, SHICK C
• Application Number:
  US08/426,920
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 370/95.2, 370/94.1, 370/85.13, 370/60, 370/61, 370/37, 370/24, 370/79, 370/94.2, 379/96, 379/97, 379/98, 379/105, 379/202, 455/5.1, 348/12, 348/13
• US Class Current: 370/404
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18523 Satellite systems for providing broadcast service to terrestrial stations, i.e. broadcast satellite service arrangements specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving H04H40/90; picture transmission via satellite H04N1/00103; television transmission via satellite H04N7/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18584 Arrangements for data networking, i.e. for data packet routing, for congestion control data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/78 CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/81 combined with telephone network over which the broadcast is continuously available
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/82 the transmission system being the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/1682 Allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users, e.g. concentrated multiplexers, statistical multiplexers
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/1694 Allocation of channels in TDM/TDMA networks, e.g. distributed multiplexers Passive Optical Networks H04Q11/0062
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2898 Subscriber equipments DSL modems H04M11/062; cable modems H04L12/2801
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/14 Multichannel or multilink protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/161 Implementation details of TCP/IP or UDP/IP stack architecture; Specification of modified or new header fields
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2381 Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2393 : involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2408 : Monitoring of the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. client requests monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/266 : Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/437 : Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. for transmitting client requests to a VOD server flow control in data networks H04L47/10; streaming protocols, e.g. RTP or RTCP, H04L65/65; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests in data packet switching networks H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 : IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 : Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 : Transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17345 : Control of the passage of the selected programme
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 : in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/911 : Bridge, e.g. brouter, bus extender

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. Forward and return channels may be located on the same or different communication medium including a CATV network, direct broadcast satellite network, television or radio RF broadcast network, wireless or mobile cellular facilities or the like. The return channel may reside on a PSTN either directly coupled with the host server or connected with the network manager for subsequent transmission to the host server. The network manager handles or controls the forward and return communication to establish interactive full-duplex real-time network sessions between the host and a selected client device.

Claims

1. A hybrid access system for communication with at least a single data processor in a network, said system comprising:

a local area network which includes a shared medium;

a hybrid system manager in communication with said local area network for transmitting information over said shared medium and for interactively handling transfers of information thereover in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol and transfers of lower speed return information in accordance with an upstream channel protocol;

a downstream router in communication with said local area network for transmitting information over said shared medium;

an upstream router in communication with said local area network for receiving information,

a broadcast unit connected to said downstream router, said broadcast unit being capable of point-to-multipoint broadcast links on said local area network;

a downstream channel in communication with said broadcast unit for high speed transmission to said single data processor in communication with said shared medium;

an independent upstream channel in communication with said upstream router, for transmission of information from said data processor at a lower speed than transmission of information on said downstream channel;

at least a single remote link adapter associated with said data processor and being in communication with said upstream and downstream channels; and

at least a single client data processor in communication with said remote link adapter.

2. The hybrid access system according to claim 1, wherein said independent upstream channel includes a telephone network.

3. The hybrid access system according to claim 1, wherein said independent upstream channel includes a cable TV network.

4. The hybrid access system according to claim 1, wherein said independent upstream channel includes a wireless transmission path.

5. The hybrid access system according to claim 1, wherein said local area network includes a switch and said downstream router and said upstream router.

6. The hybrid access system according to claim 1, wherein said broadcast unit includes at least one of a group consisting of a cable TV headend, a wireless TV transmitter, a satellite transmitter and a cell site.

7. In a wide area network that includes a host server, a plurality of remote clients, a headend facility, a high speed interface that connects said headend facility with said host server, and a high speed link for transferring downstream data packets, a method of providing high speed remote access from any of a plurality of client processors each connected to said wide area network including high-speed downstream and lower-speed upstream channels controlled by a hybrid system manager and a router, said method including the steps of:

providing said downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients,

providing at least one independent upstream channel that enables at least one of said remote clients to transmit lower speed return data packets to said host server,

issuing an upstream channel authorization request by a lower speed channel for an upstream data channel currently used by a particular client data processor,

conducting login communications between the router and the system manager,

verifying authorized user status at the system manager.

authorizing specific upstream channel use by high speed downstream channel message, and

sending upstream data over an allocated lower speed upstream channel of the asymmetric network.

61. The method as recited in claim 7 further including the step of providing said independent upstream channel on a medium different from a physical medium of said downstream channel.

8. In a full-duplex asymmetric network communication system for transferring information between a host server and a plurality of remote clients over a shared medium and wherein said remote clients include respective remote link adapters for receiving high speed downstream information from said host server over said shared medium and for transmitting lower speed return information over an upstream channel that is independent of the downstream channel, and wherein said network communication system includes a hybrid access system for providing interactive network sessions in downstream and upstream communication channels, a method of transmitting data from an upstream transmit queue in an upstream transmitter node to a selected receiver node located at a receiving end, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting selected amounts of packet data from a first transmit queue in a first node to a second node wherein said second node includes a second transmit queue for transmitting acknowledgments to a receiver node,

generating acknowledgments of packet data received by said second node,

eliminating from the second transmit queue of the second node packet data acknowledgments which are redundant of other packet data acknowledgments in said second transmit queue, and

filling open transmit queue spaces with additional packet data.

9. In a full-duplex asymmetric network communication system for transferring information between a host server and a plurality of remote clients over a shared medium and wherein said remote clients include respective remote link adapters for receiving high speed downstream information from said host server over said shared medium and for transmitting lower speed return information over an upstream channel that is independent of the downstream channel, and wherein said network communication system includes a hybrid access system for providing an interactive network session in downstream and upstream communication channels, a method of dynamically setting remote link adapter power levels in said hybrid access system, comprising the steps of:

transmitting successive indications to a hybrid upstream router at selected different power levels,

confirming receipt of a selected one of said indications, and

setting a level of future transmissions to a power level associated with the selected indication.

10. In a full-duplex asymmetric network communication system for transferring information from a host server and a plurality of remote clients over a shared medium and wherein said remote clients include respective remote link adapters for receiving high speed downstream information from said host server over said shared medium and for transmitting lower speed return information over an upstream channel that is independent of the downstream channel, and wherein said network communication system includes a hybrid access system for providing an interactive network session in downstream and upstream communication channels, a method of packet suppression in communication between first and second nodes in said communication system having respective first and second transmit and receive queues, in which information packets having headers are transmitted from said first node to said second node, comprising the steps of:

loading a first information packet into the transmit queue of said first node;

loading a second information packet into the transmit queue of said first node;

checking the headers of said first and second information packets, and responsive to redundancy between the first and second headers, suppressing one of said first and second information packets.

11. In a full-duplex asymmetric network communication system for transferring information from a host server and a plurality of remote clients over a shared medium and wherein said remote clients include respective remote link adapters for receiving high speed downstream information from said host server over said shared medium and for transmitting lower speed return information over an upstream channel that is independent of the downstream channel, and wherein said network communication system includes a hybrid access system for simultaneously controlling the downstream and upstream in interactive network sessions, a method of dynamically responding to detected quality levels in a communication channel, comprising the steps of:

detecting a quality characteristic with respect to a selected communication channel from a selected group of quality characteristics each of which is defined by quantitative levels,

determining whether the quantitative level of the detected quality characteristic deviates with respect to a predefined norm, and

dynamically switching to another communication channel, if sufficient deviation is determined.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein said group of quality characteristics includes time from last operability indication, signal to noise ratio, and error frequency.

13. A network communication system including a server, a plurality of remote clients and an information distribution facility for distributing information signals to said remote clients, said communication system comprising:

a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients so as to enable said plurality of remote clients to receive high speed data packets from said server over a shared medium,

at least one independent upstream channel for enabling at least one of said remote clients to transmit lower speed return data packets to said server,

a hybrid access system including a network manager for interactively controlling both transfers of data packets from said server to said remote clients via broadcasts over said shared downstream channel in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol and transfers of lower speed return data packets from said remote clients to said host server over said independent upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, said network manager being operable to provide full-duplex point-to-multipoint communication between said server and said plurality of remote clients, and

said hybrid access system further includes a server interface that enables communication with said server, a downstream router for enabling transmission of high speed data packets to said remote clients over said shared media and an upstream router for receiving return data packets from said remote clients.

14. The network communication system as recited in claim 13 wherein said plurality of remote clients include remote link adapters and said downstream router couples said shared medium to establish a physical connection with said downstream channel and said upstream router couples said remote link adapters to establish a physical connection with said upstream channel.

15. The network communication system as recited in claim 13 wherein said independent upstream channel lies in a communication medium that is different from said downstream channel.

16. The network communication system as recited in claim 13 wherein said shared medium comprises a hybrid fiber coaxial cable and said remote clients physically connect in parallel to said hybrid fiber coaxial cable to receive simultaneously broadcasted data packets whereby to facilitate efficient sharing of resources at said distribution facility by said remote clients.

17. The network communication system as recited in claim 16 wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises a PSTN network that routes data packets transmitted by said at least one remote client to said information distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data packets to said server.

18. The network communication system as recited in claim 17 wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises a PSTN network that routes data packets transmitted by said at least one remote client directly to said server.

19. The network communication system as recited in claim 17 wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises an independent lower speed channel transmitted over said hybrid fiber coaxial cable, and said upstream router receives said data packets transmitted by said at least one remote client over said independent upstream channel and routes said data packets to said server.

20. The network communication system as recited in claim 13 wherein said distribution facility comprises a cellular broadcast facility, said shared medium comprises radio frequency broadcasts from said cellular broadcast facility, and said remote clients each comprise radio frequency receivers for substantially simultaneously receiving data packets transmitted over said shared medium so as to provide sharing of resources at said distribution facility by said remote clients.

21. The network communication system as recited in claim 20 wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises a lower speed cellular return channel routed through said distribution facility.

22. The network communication system as recited in claim 13 wherein said distribution facility comprises a satellite, said shared medium comprises a direct satellite broadcast and said remote clients includes a receiver for substantially simultaneously receiving information signals from said broadcast so as to provide sharing of broadcast resources among said remote clients.

23. The network communication system as recited in claim 22 wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises a PSTN network that routes data packets transmitted by said at least one remote client directly to said server.

24. The network communication system as recited in claim 13 wherein each of said upstream and downstream channels lies in a communication medium selected from one of a CATV distribution network, a cell site, a radio transmitter station, a television transmitter station, a hybrid fiber coaxial cable network, an over-the-air wireless network, a direct broadcast satellite communication network and a telephone network.

25. The network communication system as recited in claim 13 wherein said distribution facility comprises a television broadcast facility, said shared medium comprises radio frequency broadcasts from said television broadcast facility, and said remote clients include radio frequency receivers for substantially simultaneously receiving data packets transmitted over said shared medium whereby to provide sharing of resources located at said distribution facility.

26. The network communication system as recited in claim 25 wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises a PSTN network that routes data packets transmitted by said at least one remote client to said information distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data packets to said server.

27. The network communication system as recited in claim 26 wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises a PSTN network that routes data packets transmitted by said at least one remote client directly to said server.

28. The network communication system as recited in claim 13 wherein said distribution facility comprises a radio broadcast facility, said shared medium comprises radio frequency broadcasts from said radio broadcast facility, and said remote clients include radio frequency receivers for substantially simultaneously receiving data packets transmitted over said shared medium whereby to provide sharing of resources located at said distribution facility.

29. The network communication system as recited in claim 28 wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises a PSTN network that routes data packets transmitted by said at least one remote client to said information distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data packets to said server.

30. The network communication system as recited in claim 29 wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises a PSTN network that routes data packets transmitted by said at least one remote client directly to said server.

31. The network communication system as recited in claim 17 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of said upstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access system selectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel so as to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidth according to demand by respective remote clients communicating with said shared medium.

32. The network communication system as recited in claim 19 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of said upstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access system selectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel so as to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidth according to demand by respective remote clients communicating with said shared medium.

33. The network communication system as recited in claim 26 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of said upstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access system selectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel whereby to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidth according to demand by respective remote clients communicating with said shared medium.

34. The network communication system as recited in claim 29 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of said upstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access system selectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel so as to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidth according to demand by respective remote clients communicating with said shared medium.

35. The network communication system as recited in claim 24 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of said upstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access system selectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel so as to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidth according to demand by respective remote clients communicating with said shared medium.

36. The network communication system as recited in claim 13 wherein said distribution facility comprises a television broadcast facility, said shared medium comprises radio frequency broadcasts from said television broadcast facility, and said remote clients include radio frequency receivers for substantially simultaneously receiving data packets transmitted over said shared medium so as to provide sharing of resources located at said distribution facility.

37. The network communication system as recited in claim 36 wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises a PSTN network that routes data packets transmitted by said at least one remote client to said information distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data packets to said server.

38. The network communication system as recited in claim 36 wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises a PSTN network that routes data packets transmitted by said at least one remote client directly to said server.

39. In a split-channel asymmetric network communication system including a host server, a plurality of remote clients and a headend facility for distributing information signals to said remote clients, a full-duplex packet delivery system comprising:

a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients for receiving high speed data packets from said host server over a shared medium,

at least one independent upstream channel that enables at least one of said remote clients to transmit lower speed return data packets to said host server,

a hybrid access system including a network manager for controlling transfers of data packets from said host server to said remote clients via broadcasts over said shared medium in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol and for controlling transfers of lower speed return data packets from said at least one remote client to said host server over said independent upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol and in accordance with scheduling information transmitted on the downstream channel, said network manager being further operable to provide full-duplex point-to-multipoint communication between said host server and said plurality of remote clients,

said hybrid access system further including a backbone interface that enables connection with said host server, a downstream router for enabling transmission of high speed data packets to said remote clients over said shared medium and an upstream router for receiving return data packets from said at least one of said remote clients,

whereby said network communication system provides full-duplex interactive asymmetric communication in a session between said host server and said plurality of remote clients over said shared medium.

40. The invention as recited in claim 39 wherein said network manager schedules assignment of upstream channels for use by said at least one remote client in accordance with at least one of an upstream channel availability signal, a priority status signal, a shared/dedicated channel request signal, or a service level authorization signal.

41. The invention as recited in claim 39 wherein communication media for each of said downstream and said upstream channels is selected from at least one of a CATV distribution network, a cell site, a television transmitter station, a hybrid fiber coaxial cable network, an over-the-air wireless network, a direct broadcast satellite communication network and a telephone network.

42. The invention as recited in claim 41 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of said upstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access system selectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel.

43. A network communication system including a host, a plurality of remote users and an information distribution facility for distributing information signals to said remote users, said system comprising:

a downstream channel shared by said remote users for receiving digital information signals transmitted from the host over a shared medium at a high speed,

at least one independent upstream channel for permitting the remote users to transmit digital information to said host at a lower speed than the high speed on the downstream channel,

a hybrid access system for interactively controlling transfers of digital information from said host to the remote users via broadcasts over said shared medium in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol and for controlling transfers of digital information from said remote clients to said host at said lower speed over said at least one independent upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, said hybrid access system being operable to provide full-duplex point-to-multipoint communication between said host and said remote users, and

said hybrid access system further including an interface for connecting with the host, a downstream router for enabling transmission of high speed information to said remote users over said shared medium and an upstream router for receiving return information from said remote users.

44. The network communication system as recited in claim 43 wherein communication media for each of said downstream and said upstream channels is selected from one of a CATV distribution network, a cell site, a television transmitter station, a hybrid fiber coaxial cable network, an over-the-air wireless network, a direct broadcast satellite communication network and a telephone network.

45. The network communication system as recited in claim 44 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of said upstream channel at multiple speed and said hybrid access system selectably controls speeds of data transfers on said upstream channel.

46. The network communication system including a host server, a plurality of remote clients and a headend facility for distributing data packets to said remote clients, said system comprising:

a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients for receiving high speed data packets from said host server over a shared medium,

at least one independent upstream channel that permits said remote clients to transmit lower speed return data packets to said host server,

a hybrid access system including a network manager for controlling transfers of data packets from said host server to said remote clients via broadcasts over said shared medium in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol, and for controlling transfers of lower speed return data packets from said remote clients to said host server over an independent upstream channel located on a physical medium that is different from shared medium of said downstream channel, said upstream communication channel being assigned in accordance with an upstream channel protocol and scheduling information transmitted on the downstream channel, said network manager being further operable to provide full-duplex point-to-multipoint communication between said host server and said plurality of remote clients,

said hybrid access system further including a backbone interface that enables connection with said host server, a downstream router for enabling transmission of high speed data packets to said remote clients over said shared medium and an upstream router for receiving return data packets from said remote clients.

47. The network communication system as recited in claim 46 wherein said hybrid access system effects control of assignment of upstream channels to said remote clients in accordance with scheduling information including a dedicated or shared channel request signal, a channel availability signal, a priority status signal or class of service signal.

48. The network communication system as recited in claim 47 wherein communication media for each of said downstream and said upstream channels is selected from one of a CATV distribution network, a cell site, a television transmitter station, a hybrid fiber coaxial cable network, an over-the-air wireless network, a direct broadcast satellite communication network and a telephone network.

49. The network communication system as recited in claim 48 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of said upstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access system selectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel.

50. A client-server system including a split-channel asymmetric network for enabling multiple users to share information, said system comprising:

a host server,

a plurality of remote users,

a distribution facility for distributing information signals to said remote users,

a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote users so as to enable said plurality of users to receive high speed data packets from said host server over a shared medium,

at least one upstream channel that is independent of said downstream channel for enabling said remote users to transmit return data packets to said host server at a lower speed than a data packet rate transmitted in said downstream channel,

a hybrid access system for interactively controlling both transfers of data packets from said host server to said remote users via broadcasts over said shared medium in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol and transfers of lower speed return data packets from said remote users to said host server over an independent upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, said network manager being operable to provide full-duplex point-to-multipoint communication between said host server and said plurality of remote users in an interactive session wherein transmission of upstream information is controlled, in part, by control information transmitted over said downstream channel, and

said hybrid access system further including a host interface that enables communication with said host server, a downstream router for enabling transmission of high speed data packets to said remote users over said shared medium and an upstream router for receiving return data packets from said remote users.

51. In combination with a multi-user computer system including at least one host computer and a plurality of remote clients, the improvement comprising:

a packet distribution facility connected with said host computer for distributing data packets from said host computer to said remote clients,

a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients so as to enable said plurality of remote clients to receive high speed data packets from said host server over a shared medium,

at least one upstream channel that is independent of said downstream channel for enabling said remote clients to transmit return data packets to said host server at a speed that is lower than a data packet rate transmitted in said downstream channel,

a hybrid access system including a network manager for interactively controlling both transfers of data packets from said host server to said remote clients via broadcasts over said shared medium that communicates with said plurality of remote clients in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol and transfers of lower speed return data packets from said remote clients to said host server over said independent upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, said network manager being operable to provide full-duplex point-to-multipoint communication between said host server and said plurality of remote clients, and

said hybrid access system further including a downstream router for enabling transmission of high speed data packets to said remote clients over said shared medium and an upstream router for receiving return data packets from said remote clients.

52. In combination with a CATV broadcast transmission facility including a shared medium downstream channel that is shared by a plurality of remote clients to receive high speed data packets from a host server, the improvement comprising:

respective RLA devices associated with said remote clients that are connected with said shared medium and tuned so as to receive high speed transfers of data packets for conveyance to said remote clients,

at least one independent upstream channel that enables said remote clients to transmit lower speed return data packets to said host server,

a hybrid access system including a network manager for interactively controlling both transfers of information data packets from said host server to said remote clients via broadcasts over said shared medium that communicates with said plurality of remote clients in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol and transfers of lower speed return data packets from said remote clients to said host server over said independent upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, said network manager being operable to provide full-duplex point-to-multipoint communication between said host server and said plurality of remote clients in an interactive session wherein transmission of upstream information is monitored or controlled, in part, by control information transmitted through said downstream channel, and

said hybrid access system further including an interface that enables connection with said host server, a downstream router for enabling transmission of high speed data packets to said remote clients over said shared medium and an upstream router for receiving return data packets from said remote clients,

whereby said improvement acts to provide full-duplex interactive asymmetric communication in a session between said host server and said plurality of remote clients through said CATV broadcast transmission facility over said shared medium.

53. The network communication system as recited in claim 52 wherein communication media for each of said downstream and said upstream channels is selected from one of a CATV distribution network, a cell site, a television transmitter station, a hybrid fiber coaxial cable network, an over-the-air wireless network, a direct broadcast satellite communication network and a telephone network.

54. The network communication system as recited in claim 53 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of said upstream channel at multiple speed and said hybrid access system selectably controls speeds of data transfers on said upstream channel.

55. In combination with a television signal broadcast facility, the improvement comprising:

a host computer,

a plurality of remote clients,

a packet distribution facility connected with said host computer for distributing data packets from said host computer to said remote clients,

a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients so as to permit said plurality of remote clients to receive high speed data packets from the host server over a shared medium,

at least one upstream channel that is independent of said downstream channel for enabling said remote clients to transmit return data packets to said host server at a lower speed than a data packet rate transmitted in said downstream channel,

a hybrid access system including a network manager for controlling transfers of data packets from said host server to said remote clients via broadcasts over said shared medium in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol and for receiving transfers of lower speed return data packets from said remote clients to said host server over an independent upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, said network manager being operable to provide full-duplex point-to-multipoint communication between said host server and said plurality of remote clients, and

said hybrid access system further including a downstream router for enabling transmission of high speed data packets to said remote clients over said shared medium and an upstream router for receiving return data packets from said remote clients.

56. In combination with a television signal broadcast facility, a network of host computers and a plurality of remote clients, the improvement comprising:

a packet distribution facility connected with said host computer for distributing data packets from said host computer to said remote clients,

a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients so as to enable said plurality of remote clients to receive high speed data packets from the host server over a shared medium,

at least one upstream channel that is independent of said downstream channel for enabling said remote clients to transmit return data packets to said host server at a lower speed than a data packet rate transmitted in said downstream channel,

a hybrid access system including a network manager for controlling both transfers of data packets from said host server to said remote clients via broadcasts over said shared medium in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol and transfers of lower speed return data packets from said remote clients to said host server over an independent upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, said network manager being operable to provide full-duplex point-to-multipoint communication between said host server and said plurality of remote clients, and

said hybrid access system further including a downstream router for enabling transmission of high speed data packets to said remote clients over said shared medium and an upstream router for receiving return data packets from said remote clients.

57. In an asymmetric network communication system including a host server and a plurality of remote clients wherein respective remote clients have associated remote link adapters that operate in accordance with predefined downstream and upstream protocols, said system including:

a headend facility that distributes information signals,

a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients so as to permit said plurality of remote clients to receive high speed information signals from said host server over a shared medium,

at least one upstream channel that is independent of said downstream channel to enable at least one of said remote clients to transmit return information signals to said host server at a lower speed than said information signals transmitted over said downstream channel,

a hybrid access system for controlling transfers of information signals transmitted from said host server to said remote clients over said shared medium in accordance with said downstream protocol and for monitoring communication over said independent upstream channels thereby to provide interactive communication between said host server and at least one of said plurality of remote clients over said downstream and upstream communication channels, and

said hybrid access system further including a backbone interface that enables connection with said host server, a downstream router for enabling transmission of high speed information to said remote clients over said shared media,

whereby said asymmetric network communication system provides full-duplex interactive asymmetric communication between said host server and said at least one of said plurality of remote clients in a shared medium environment.

58. A packet delivery system for use in an asymmetric network to provide full-duplex communication, said system including a host server and at least one remote client that has a remote link adapter operating in accordance with a high speed downstream and a lower speed upstream protocol, said packet delivery system comprising:

a downstream channel that is shared by said at least one remote client so as to enable said at least one remote client to receive high speed data packets from said host server over a shared medium,

at least one independent upstream channel that enables said remote client to transmit lower speed return data packets to said host server,

a hybrid access system for controlling transfers of data packets from said host server to said remote client over said shared medium in accordance with said downstream channel protocol and for monitoring communication over said independent upstream channel thereby to schedule upstream communication in accordance with predefined rules, and

said hybrid access system further including an interface that enables connection with said host server and a downstream router for enabling transmission of high speed data packets to said remote client over said shared media.

59. A packet delivery system as recited in claim 58 wherein said hybrid access system effects control of assignment of upstream channels to said remote client so as to assign either a shared channel or dedicated channel to a remote client.

60. A packet delivery system as recited in claim 59 wherein said hybrid access system effects switching of channel assignments among said remote client between shared and dedicated upstream channels.