Hybrid access system having channel allocation and prioritized polling schemes

• US 5,818,845 A
• Filed: 01/18/1996
• Issued: 10/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BG Services Limited, Hybrid Patents Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hybrid Networks, Inc. (Iowave, Inc.)
• Inventors: Moura, Eduardo J., Gronski, Jan Maksymilian
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOM, SHICK C
• Application Number:
  US08/588,378
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 370/95.2, 370/85.8, 370/60, 370/94.1, 370/36, 370/37, 370/85.2, 370/85.13, 370/31, 370/84, 370/85.5, 370/60.1, 370/449, 370/296, 370/422, 370/232, 370/389, 370/352 , 370/394, 370/285, 370/275, 370/911, 370/276, 370/445, 370/404, 370/452, 379/59, 358/85, 340/825.08, 348/7, 348/10, 455/4.2, 455/5.1, 455/3.1
• US Class Current: 370/449
• 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 plural client devices. The network manager effects upstream channel allocation in response to channel allocation requests and prioritizes polling wherein the polling cycles or periods differ among respective groups of client devices, depending on their state of operation.

Claims

1. A method of accessing a wide area network from any of a plurality of client processors each in communication with an asymmetric hybrid network including high-speed downstream and lower-speed upstream channels, said method including the steps of:

providing a shared medium over which said plurality of client processors receive information transfers via said downstream channel,

providing two-way control of said high-speed downstream and lower-speed upstream channels in a network session by a hybrid system manager and a router server,

providing a polling signal from said hybrid system manager to poll said client processors over said high-speed downstream channel,

issuing an upstream channel allocation request via a lower speed channel, conducting login communications between said router server and the system manager,

verifying authorized user status at the system manager,

allocating an upstream channel to at least one of said client processors by a message sent via said high speed downstream channel, and

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

2. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of providing multiple states of operation of said client processors, and wherein the step of providing a polling signal includes polling representations of said client processors assigned to an idle state at a selected period of polling.

3. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of providing multiple states of operation of said client processors, and wherein the step of providing a polling signal includes polling representations of said client processors assigned to a blocked state at a selected periodicity of polling.

4. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of providing multiple states of operation of said client processors, and wherein the step of providing a polling signal includes polling representations of said client processors assigned to a non-responsive state at a selected periodicity of polling.

5. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of providing multiple states of operation of said client processors including an idle state and a blocked state, and wherein the step of providing a polling signal includes polling representations of said client processors assigned to idle and blocked states at selected first and second periods of polling, and polling of client processors assigned to an idle state occurs more frequently than polling of client processors assigned to a blocked state.

6. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of providing multiple states of operation of said client processors including an idle state and a non-responsive state, and wherein the step of providing a polling signal includes polling representations of said client processors assigned to idle and non-responsive states at selected first and second levels of frequency of polling, and polling of client processors assigned to an idle state occurs more frequently than polling of client processors assigned to a non-responsive state.

7. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of providing multiple states of operation of said client processors including an idle state, a blocked state and a non-responsive state, and wherein clients in an idle state are polled multiple times during a poll cycle and polling of clients in a blocked or nonresponsive state is distributed evenly over a poll cycle to assure that the latency for acquiring a channel for idle units is uniform.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein polling includes grouping clients by state and polling within each group on a round robin basis.

9. An asymmetric network communication system in which a representation of a remote client is polled at a selectable periodicity depending upon a state of said client, said system comprising a host server for communicating with said remote client over a shared medium and wherein said remote client includes an associated remote link adapter 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, and wherein said network communication system includes a hybrid access system for providing interactive network sessions in downstream and upstream communication channels, for assigning one of a plurality of states to said remote client and for polling said remote client at a selected one of multiple polling periods depending upon the assigned state of said remote client.

10. The system as in claim 9, wherein said plurality of states comprises at least two states selected from the group of states including active, idle, blocked and non-responsive states.

11. The system as in claim 10, wherein said client is assigned said idle state if said server has not received a channel request message from said client.

12. The system as in claim 11, wherein said client is transitioned from said idle state to said blocked state upon receipt by said server of said channel request message from said client.

13. The system as in claim 12, wherein said client is transitioned to said active state from said blocked state upon a channel becoming available and said server sending a channel allocation message to said client.

14. The system as in claim 12, wherein said client remains assigned to said blocked state when no channel is available and said server sends a no channel available message.

15. The system as in claim 12, wherein said client is transitioned to said idle state from said blocked state upon receipt by said server of a channel release message from said client.

16. The system as in claim 13, wherein said client is transitioned from said active state to said idle state upon said server receiving a channel deallocation message or detecting a predetermined inactivity time-out.

17. The system as in claim 13, wherein said client assigned to said active state provides said server with periodic messages.

18. The system as in claim 17, wherein said server sends a directed poll to said client if said server has not received signals from said client for a predetermined time period.

19. The system as in claim 18, wherein said directed poll instructs said client to utilize another upstream channel.

20. The system as in claim 18, wherein said server assigns said another upstream channel to said client if said client responds to said directed poll.

21. The system as in claim 18, wherein said client is transitioned to said non-responsive state if said client does not respond to said directed poll.

22. The system as in claim 18, wherein said client remains assigned to said active state if said client responds to said directed poll with a channel request message.

23. The system as in claim 18, wherein said client is transitioned to said idle state if said client responds to said directed poll with an idle poll response.

24. The system as in claim 12, wherein a client in said blocked or idle state is transitioned to a non-responsive state if said client fails to respond to a predetermined number of polls.

25. The system as in claim 12, wherein a client assigned to said non-responsive state is transitioned to said blocked state upon receipt by said server of a channel request message from said client.

26. The system as in claim 12, wherein a client assigned to said non-responsive state is transitioned to said idle state upon receipt by said server of an idle poll response.

27. The system as in claim 12, further including a plurality of remote clients that are assigned different states including an idle state, and wherein said remote clients assigned to said idle state are polled more frequently than all other clients.

28. The system as in claim 27, wherein clients assigned to said idle state are polled a plurality of times during each polling cycle.

29. A high speed communication system including a plurality of remote clients wherein status indications of states of respective ones of said clients are polled at a selected frequency depending on the respective states of said clients, said system comprising a shared medium, a host server for communicating with said plurality of remote clients over said shared medium and a hybrid access system for managing downstream and upstream communications between said host server and said plurality of clients, for assigning one of a plurality of states to respective ones of said remote clients and for polling representations of states of remote clients in a group in which clients have a common state at a selected one of multiple polling periods depending on the assigned state of said clients within said group.

30. The system as in claim 29, wherein said plurality of states comprises at least two states selected from the group of states including active, idle, blocked and non-responsive states.

31. The system as in claim 30, wherein a client in said active or idle state transitions to a connection request state when one of said clients transmitting a channel request message.

32. The system as in claim 30, wherein a client in said connection request state transitions to said idle state upon receipt of a no-channel allocation signal from said server.

33. The system as in claim 30, wherein a client in said connection request state transitions to said active state upon receipt of a channel allocation signal, said client also tuning to an allocated channel.

34. The system as in claim 30, wherein a client in said active state sends a channel deallocation request signal if it detects no activity from a client application for a predetermined time period, said client then transitioning to said idle state.

35. The system as in claim 30, wherein a client in an active state transitions to said idle state upon a request to transition to said idle state by a client application.

36. The system as in claim 30, wherein said server sends an unsolicited channel release message and cause a client to change from said active to said idle state.

37. A method of polling representations indicative of states of a plurality of remote devices in an asymmetric communication network including a server that communicates with said devices over a shared medium, comprising the steps of:

said server assigning a respective state of a plurality of states to respective ones of said plurality of remote devices;

said server polling said devices at different selectable periods based upon the respective states of said devices, and

said server enabling an information transfer from one of said devices to said server as a result of said polling.

38. The method as in claim 37, wherein said plurality of states comprises at least two states selected from the group of states including active, idle, blocked and non-responsive states.

39. The method as in claim 38, wherein said server polls representations of devices that are assigned to said idle state more frequently than other devices.

40. An asymmetric network communication system including a server, a plurality of remote clients and an information distribution facility for distributing data to said remote clients, said communication system comprising:

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

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

a hybrid access system including a network manager for effecting transfers of data between said server and said remote clients, for effecting the assignment of one of a plurality of states to respective ones of said remote clients, for effecting polling of states of remote clients within a group having a common state at a selected one of multiple polling periods depending upon the state of remote clients in said group and for enabling transfers of data from said remote clients as a result of said polling.

41. The network communication system as recited in claim 40 wherein one of said upstream channels and said downstream channel reside in different communication media.

42. The network communication system as recited in claim 40 wherein said shared medium comprises a hybrid fiber coaxial cable system and said remote clients physically connect in parallel to said hybrid fiber coaxial cable system to receive simultaneously broadcasted data whereby to facilitate efficient sharing of resources at said distribution facility by said remote clients.

43. The network communication system as recited in claim 42 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said at least one remote client to said information distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data to said server.

44. The network communication system as recited in claim 43 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said at least one remote client directly to said server.

45. The network communication system as recited in claim 42 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises an independent lower speed channel transmitted over said hybrid fiber coaxial cable, and said upstream router receives said data transmitted by said at least one remote client over said independent upstream channel and routes said data to said server.

46. The network communication system as recited in claim 40 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 transmitted over said shared medium so as to provide sharing of resources at said distribution facility by said remote clients.

47. The network communication system as recited in claim 46 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a lower speed cellular return channel routed through said distribution facility.

48. The network communication system as recited in claim 40 wherein said distribution facility comprises a direct broadcast satellite, said shared medium comprises electromagnetic transmissions from said direct satellite broadcast and said remote clients include a receiver for substantially simultaneously receiving data from said broadcast so as to provide sharing of resources among said remote clients.

49. The network communication system as recited in claim 48 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said remote clients directly to said server.

50. The network communication system as recited in claim 40 wherein each of said upstream and downstream channels resides in a communication medium selected from one of a transmission 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.

51. The network communication system as recited in claim 40 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 transmitted over said shared medium whereby to provide sharing of resources located at said distribution facility.

52. The network communication system as recited in claim 51 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said remote clients to said information distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data to said server.

53. The network communication system as recited in claim 52 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said remote clients directly to said server.

54. The network communication system as recited in claim 40 wherein said distribution facility comprises a broadband broadcast facility, said shared medium comprises electromagnetic broadcasts from said broadband broadcast facility, and said remote clients include receivers for substantially simultaneously receiving data transmitted over said shared medium whereby to provide sharing of resources located at said distribution facility.

55. The network communication system as recited in claim 54 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said at least one remote client to said information distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data to said server.

56. The network communication system as recited in claim 54 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said at least one remote client directly to said server.

57. The network communication system as recited in claim 43 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 ones of said remote clients communicating with said shared medium.

58. The network communication system as recited in claim 40 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.

59. The network communication system as recited in claim 45 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.

60. The network communication system as recited in claim 46 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.

61. The network communication system as recited in claim 50 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.

62. The network communication system as recited in claim 40 wherein said distribution facility comprises a CATV broadcast facility, said shared medium comprises broadband broadcasts from said CATV broadcast facility, and said remote clients include broadband receivers for substantially simultaneously receiving data transmitted over said shared medium so as to provide sharing of resources located at said distribution facility.

63. The network communication system as recited in claim 62 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said remote clients to said information distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data to said server.

64. The network communication system as recited in claim 62 wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said remote clients directly to said server.

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

a packet distribution facility in communication with said host computer for distributing data packets from said host computer to at least one of said plurality of remote clients,

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

at least one upstream channel for enabling said remote clients to transmit return data packets to said host computer, and

a hybrid access system including a network manager for effecting transfers of data packets between said host computer and said remote clients, for effecting the assignment of one of a plurality of states to respective ones of said remote clients, for effecting polling of states of respective ones of said remote clients at a selectable periodicity depending upon the state of said clients and for enabling transfers of data packets from said remote clients to said host computer as a result of said polling.

66. In an asymmetric network communication system including a host server and a plurality of remote clients, an information distribution facility that distributes information signals between said host server and remote clients, a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients to permit said plurality of remote clients to receive high speed information signals from said host server over a shared medium of said distribution facility in accordance with a downstream channel protocol, at least one upstream channel for enabling at least one of said remote clients to transmit return information signals to said host server at a lower rate than the rate of information signals transmitted over said downstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, a hybrid access system for implementing said downstream and upstream protocols including a network manager for effecting transfers of information signals between said host computer and said remote clients, for polling representations of respective ones of said remote clients at a selectable periodicity depending on the state of respective ones of said clients, for effecting the assignment of one of a plurality of states to respective ones of said remote clients and for enabling transfers of information signals from said remote clients to said host computer as a result of said polling, the combination of a respective remote link adapter associated with respective ones of said remote clients for receiving information signals transmitted from said host server in accordance with said downstream channel protocol implemented by said host server and for transmitting information signals from said remote clients to said host server in accordance with said upstream channel protocol implemented by said host server.

67. A packet delivery system for use in an asymmetric network including a host server and a plurality of remote clients 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 remote clients 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 upstream channel that enables said remote clients to transmit lower speed return data packets to said host server,

a hybrid access system for handling transfers of data packets between said host server and said remote clients over said shared medium in accordance with said upstream and downstream channel protocols, said hybrid access system including a network manager for effecting transfers of data packets between said server and said remote clients, for effecting the assignment of one of a plurality of states to respective ones of said remote clients, for polling a status register indicative of the state of respective ones of said remote clients at a selectable periodicity depending on the states of said clients and for enabling transfers of data packets from said remote clients as a result of said polling.

68. A wireless packet delivery system for use in a communication network that establishes a communications link between a host server and at least one remote client, said system comprising:

a downstream channel that is shared by said at least one remote client for receiving data packets from said host server over a shared medium,

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

a hybrid access system for handling transfers of data packets between said host server and said at least one remote client over said shared medium in accordance with upstream and downstream channel protocols, said hybrid access system including a network manager for effecting transfers of data between said server and said at least one remote client, for effecting polling of status indications of respective ones of said at least one remote client at a selected periodicity depending on said status indications, for effecting assignment of one of a plurality of states to respective ones of said at least one remote client and for enabling transfers of data from said at least one remote client as a result of said polling.

69. The wireless packet delivery system as recited in claim 68 wherein said network is asymmetric wherein downstream transfers of data packets are higher than upstream transfers of data packets.

70. An asymmetric network communication system including a server, a plurality of remote clients and an information distribution facility for distributing data to said remote clients, said communication system comprising:

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

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

a hybrid access system including a network manager for effecting transfers of data between said server and said remote clients, for effecting polling of status indications of respective ones of said remote clients at a selectable periodicity depending on said status indications, for effecting the assignment of one of a plurality of status indications to respective ones of said remote clients and for enabling transfers of data from said remote clients as a result of said polling.

73. The system as recited in claim 70, wherein said status indications reside at least at one of said hybrid access system and said remote clients.

76. The system as recited in claim 70, wherein said at least one upstream channel is carried by a public switched telephone network.

71. In an asymmetric communication system which includes a host server and a plurality of remote clients, an information distribution facility that distributes information signals between said host server and remote clients, a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients to permit said plurality of remote clients to receive high speed information signals from said host server over a shared medium of said distribution facility in accordance with a downstream channel protocol, at least one upstream channel for enabling said remote clients to transmit return information signals to said host server at a lower speed than the speed of said information signals transmitted over said downstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, and a network manager for implementing said downstream and upstream protocols for effecting transfers of information between said host server and said remote clients, for effecting polling of status of respective ones of said remote clients at a selectable frequency for a given number of remote clients depending upon a detected status, for effecting the assignment of one of a plurality of states to respective ones of said remote clients and for enabling transfers of data from said remote clients to said host server in response to an assigned state, the combination including a remote link adapter associated with respective ones of said remote clients for receiving information transmitted from said host server in accordance with said downstream channel protocol implemented by said host server and for transmitting information from said remote client to said host server in accordance with said upstream channel protocol implemented by said host server.

74. The system as recited in claim 71, wherein the status indications of respective ones of said remote clients are located in a register of at least one of said network manager and said remote clients.

77. The system as recited in claim 71, wherein said at least one upstream channel is carried by a public switched telephone network.

78. The system as recited in claim 71, wherein said remote link adapter includes a receiver for receiving downstream information and whose channel frequency is controlled by said network manager.

72. In a network communication system which includes a host server, a plurality of remote clients, an information distribution facility that distributes information signals between said host server and remote clients, a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients to convey information from said host server to said remote clients over a shared medium of said distribution facility in accordance with a downstream channel protocol, at least one upstream channel for said remote clients for conveying return information signals from said remote clients to said host server in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, and a network manager for implementing said downstream and upstream protocols for effecting transfers of information between said host server and said remote clients, for effecting polling of representations of status indications of respective ones of said remote clients at a selected polling cycle, for effecting the assignment of one of a plurality of status indications to respective ones of said remote clients and for enabling transfers of data from said remote clients to said host server in response to an assigned status, the combination of a remote interface associated with respective ones of said remote clients for receiving information signals transmitted from said host server in accordance with said downstream channel protocol implemented by said host server and for transmitting information signals from said remote client to said host server in accordance with said upstream channel protocol implemented by said host server.

75. The system as recited in claim 72, wherein the status indications of respective ones of said remote clients is located in a register of at least one of said network manager and remote clients.

79. The system as recited in claim 72, wherein said at least one upstream channel is carried by a public switched telephone network.

80. An asymmetric network communication system comprising a host server and a plurality of remote clients, an information distribution facility that transfers information signals between said host server and remote clients, a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients to permit said plurality of remote clients to receive high speed information signals from said host server over a shared medium of said distribution facility in accordance with a downstream channel protocol, at least one upstream channel for enabling said remote clients to transmit return information signals to said host server via said distribution facility at a lower rate than the rate of information signals transmitted over said downstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, and a network manager for providing transfers of information signals between said host server and remote clients, for polling of representations of remote clients on said high-speed downstream channel to detect requests for upstream channel allocation by respective ones of said remote clients, for allocating an upstream channel to respective ones of said remote clients for the transmission of information signals to said host server via said lower rate upstream channel, and for effectuating receipt of information from said remote clients via said lower rate upstream channel.

82. The asymmetric network communication system as recited in claim 80, wherein respective ones of said remote clients are assigned an operating state in accordance with the status of operation thereof and said network manager polls said remote clients in accordance with a prioritized polling scheme such that certain groups of remote clients are polled at selected higher frequencies depending on the assigned state of remote clients within said group.

81. An asymmetric network communication system comprising a host server and a plurality of remote clients, an information distribution facility that transfers information signals between said host server and remote clients, a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients to permit said plurality of remote clients to receive high speed information signals from said host server over a shared medium of said distribution facility in accordance with a downstream channel protocol, at least one upstream channel for enabling said remote clients to transmit return information signals to said host server via said distribution facility at a lower speed than the speed of information signals transmitted over said downstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, and a network manager for effectuating transfers of information signals between said host server and said remote clients via said distribution facility, for polling representations of remote clients on said high-speed downstream channel to detect requests for upstream channel allocation by respective ones of said remote clients, for verifying whether a respective one of said remote clients is authorized, for allocating an upstream channel to a respective one of said remote clients to transmit information signals to said host server via said lower speed upstream channel, and for effectuating receipt of information signals from said remote clients via said lower speed upstream channel.

83. The asymmetric network communication system as recited in claim 81, wherein respective ones of said remote clients are assigned an operating state in accordance with the status of operation thereof and said network manager polls said remote clients in accordance with a prioritized polling scheme such that certain groups of remote clients are polled at selected higher rates depending on the assigned state of remote clients within said group.

84. The asymmetric network communication system as recited in claim 81, wherein said network manager allocates a specific upstream data channel frequency on which one of said remote clients is to transmit on said lower speed upstream channel.

85. The asymmetric network communication system as recited in claim 84, wherein said network manager allocates the specific upstream channel frequency according to one of quality of an available upstream channel, type of service required by one of said remote clients, operating characteristics of one of said remote clients and configuration restrictions of one of said remote clients.

86. In an asymmetric network communication system comprising a host server and a plurality of remote clients, an information distribution facility that transfers information signals between said host server and remote clients, a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients to permit said plurality of remote clients to receive high speed information signals from said host server over a shared medium of said distribution facility in accordance with a downstream channel protocol, at least one upstream channel for enabling said remote clients to transmit return information signals to said host server via said distribution facility at a lower speed than the speed of information signals transmitted over said downstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, and a network manager for providing transfers of information between said host server and remote clients, for sending a polling signal on said high-speed downstream channel to detect representations of respective ones of said remote clients indicative of a request for a channel allocation on said upstream channel, for allocating an upstream channel for respective ones of said remote clients to transmit information signals to said host server via said lower speed upstream channel, and for effectuating receipt of information from said remote clients via said lower speed upstream channel, the combination of a remote link adapter associated with respective ones of said remote clients for interfacing said asymmetric communication network, said remote link adapter including a controller for receiving information signals over said downstream channel in accordance with said downstream channel protocol and for transmitting information signals over said upstream channel in accordance with said upstream channel protocol.

87. In an asymmetric network communication system comprising a host server and a plurality of remote clients, an information distribution facility that transfers information signals between said host server and remote clients, a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients to permit said plurality of remote clients to receive high speed information signals from said host server over a shared medium of said distribution facility in accordance with a downstream channel protocol, at least one upstream channel for enabling said remote clients to transmit return information signals to said host server via said distribution facility at a lower speed than the speed of information signals transmitted over said downstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, and a network manager for providing transfers of information between said host server and remote clients via said distribution facility, for polling representations of remote clients on said high-speed downstream channel to detect requests for upstream channel allocation by respective ones of said remote clients, for verifying whether said remote client is authorized, for allocating an upstream channel to respective ones of said remote clients to transmit information signals to said host server via said lower speed upstream channel, and for effectuating receipt of information signals from said remote clients via said lower speed upstream channel, the combination of a remote link adapter associated with respective ones of said remote clients for interfacing said asymmetric communication network, said remote link adapter including a controller for receiving information signals over said downstream channel in accordance with said downstream channel protocol and for transmitting information signals over said upstream channel in accordance with said upstream channel protocol.

88. An asymmetric network communication system including a host server, a plurality of remote clients and a data distribution facility for distributing data to said remote clients, said communication system comprising:

a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients to receive downstream data from said server over a shared medium at a high rate,

a plurality of upstream channels that enable said remote clients to transmit upstream data to said server at a lower rate, and

a network manager for effectuating transfers of data between said host server and remote clients, for effecting polling to detect representations of respective ones of said remote clients on said downstream channel wherein said representations are indicative of requests for allocation of an upstream channel, for allocating one of said plurality of upstream channels to one of said remote clients for the transmission of data to said host server via said upstream channel, and for effectuating receipt of data from said one of said remote clients via said upstream channel.

89. The network communication system as recited in claim 88 wherein one of said upstream channels and said downstream channel reside in different communication media.

90. The network communication system as recited in claim 88 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 whereby to facilitate efficient sharing of resources at said distribution facility by said remote clients.

91. The network communication system as recited in claim 90 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said at least one remote client to said information distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data to said server.

92. The network communication system as recited in claim 91 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said at least one remote client directly to said server.

93. The network communication system as recited in claim 90 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises an independent lower speed channel transmitted over said hybrid fiber coaxial cable, and said upstream router receives said data transmitted by said at least one remote client over said independent upstream channel and routes said data to said server.

94. The network communication system as recited in claim 88 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 transmitted over said shared medium so as to provide sharing of resources at said distribution facility by said remote clients.

95. The network communication system as recited in claim 94 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a lower speed cellular return channel routed through said distribution facility.

96. The network communication system as recited in claim 88 wherein said distribution facility comprises a direct broadcast satellite, said shared medium comprises electromagnetic transmissions from said direct satellite broadcast and said remote clients include a receiver for substantially simultaneously receiving data from said broadcast so as to provide sharing of resources among said remote clients.

97. The network communication system as recited in claim 96 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said remote clients directly to said server.

98. The network communication system as recited in claim 88 wherein each of said upstream and downstream channels resides in a communication medium selected from one of a transmission 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.

99. The network communication system as recited in claim 88 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 transmitted over said shared medium whereby to provide sharing of resources located at said distribution facility.

100. The network communication system as recited in claim 99 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said remote clients to said information distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data to said server.

101. The network communication system as recited in claim 100 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said remote clients directly to said server.

102. The network communication system as recited in claim 88 wherein said distribution facility comprises a broadband broadcast facility, said shared medium comprises electromagnetic broadcasts from said broadband broadcast facility, and said remote clients include receivers for substantially simultaneously receiving data transmitted over said shared medium whereby to provide sharing of resources located at said distribution facility.

103. The network communication system as recited in claim 102 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said at least one remote client to said information distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data to said server.

104. The network communication system as recited in claim 102 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said at least one remote client directly to said server.

105. The network communication system as recited in claim 91 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 ones of said remote clients communicating with said shared medium.

106. The network communication system as recited in claim 88 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.

107. The network communication system as recited in claim 93 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.

108. The network communication system as recited in claim 94 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.

109. The network communication system as recited in claim 98 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.

110. The network communication system as recited in claim 88 wherein said distribution facility comprises a CATV broadcast facility, said shared medium comprises broadband broadcasts from said CATV broadcast facility, and said remote clients include broadband receivers for substantially simultaneously receiving data transmitted over said shared medium so as to provide sharing of resources located at said distribution facility.

111. The network communication system as recited in claim 110 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said remote clients to said information distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data to said server.

112. The network communication system as recited in claim 110 wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by said remote clients directly to said server.

113. A two-way asymmetric communication system for effecting communications with at least a single remote data processor, said asymmetric communication system comprising:

a network including;

a shared medium including a downstream channel, and

an upstream channel which is independent of said downstream channel, said upstream channel conveying information at a lower speed that said downstream channel;

a downstream router in communication with said network to send information over said shared medium;

an upstream router in communication with said network to receive lower speed return information over said upstream channel;

a common network management system operating on a unitary control platform and in communication with said downstream router and said upstream router to effect transmission of information over said shared medium in an interactive session in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol, and to enable transfer of return information over said network in accordance with a lower speed upstream channel protocol;

a broadcast unit connected to said downstream router and in communication with said downstream channel, said broadcast unit being capable of providing point-to-multipoint broadcast links on said network over said shared medium; and

remote interface equipment associated with said single remote data processor to enable said single remote data processor to communicate over said upstream channel and said downstream channel.

114. The two way asymmetric communication system according to claim 113, wherein said common network management system communicates with said upstream router and downstream router over a common physical link for controlling transmission of information by said upstream router and said downstream router.

115. The two way asymmetric communication system according to claim 114 further including a host server and said common network management system enables interactive two way communication between said host server and said at least one remote data processor.

116. The two way asymmetric communication system according to claim 115 wherein said independent upstream channel includes at least one of a telephone network, direct broadcast satellite network, a cable TV network and a wireless transmission path.

117. The two way asymmetric communication system according to claim 113 wherein said network further includes a switch.

118. The two way asymmetric communication system according to claim 113, 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.

119. A two-way asymmetric communication system for providing interactive communication between a server and a plurality of remote clients, said system including an information distribution network for distributing information signals to said plurality of remote clients, said system comprising:

a shared downstream medium that is shared by said plurality of remote clients to receive high-speed data packets from said server via a downstream channel;

an independent upstream channel independent of said downstream channel, to enable at least one of said plurality of remote clients to convey lower-speed return data packets to said server; and

a network management system that effects control at a common communication layer of network sessions between said server and said at least one of said plurality of remote clients of both high-speed data packets from said server to said plurality of remote clients via broadcasts over said shared downstream medium in accordance with a high-speed downstream channel protocol and lower-speed return data packets from said at least one of said plurality of remote clients to said server over said independent upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, said network management system being operated with a point-to-multipoint communication path between said server and said plurality of remote clients.

120. The two-way asymmetric communication system according to claim 119, wherein:

said common network management system has control of both said high-speed data packets over said shared downstream medium and said lower-speed return data packets over said independent upstream channel at a common physical layer.

121. The asymmetric communication system as recited in claim 120, further comprising:

a downstream router in communication with said shared downstream medium and responsive to said common network management system to establish a link with said at least one of said plurality of remote clients over said shared downstream medium; and

an upstream router responsive to said common network management system that sends information signals over said independent upstream channel to establish a link with said at least one of said plurality of remote clients;

said plurality of remote clients including respective remote interfaces.

122. The asymmetric communication system as recited in claim 121, wherein said independent upstream channel lies in a communication medium that is different from said shared downstream medium.

123. The asymmetric communication system as recited in claim 119, wherein:

said shared downstream medium comprises a hybrid fiber coaxial cable; and

said plurality of remote clients connect physically in parallel to a cable portion of said hybrid fiber coaxial cable to receive simultaneously broadcast data packets to facilitate efficient sharing of resources at a distribution facility by said plurality of remote clients.

124. The asymmetric communication system as recited in claim 121, wherein said independent upstream channel comprises a PSTN network that routes data packets transmitted by said at least one of said plurality of remote clients to said information distribution network which, in turn, routes said data packets to said server.

125. The asymmetric communication system as recited in claim 121, wherein each of said independent upstream channel and said downstream medium lies in a communication medium selected from one of a CATV distribution network, a cell site, a radio transmission medium, a television transmission medium, a hybrid fiber coaxial cable network, an over-the-air wireless network, a direct broadcast satellite communication network and a telephone network.

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

a downstream channel shared by said plurality of remote users to receive information signals transmitted from said host over said shared medium at a high speed,

at least one independent upstream channel independent from said downstream channel to enable said plurality of remote users to convey information signals to said host at a lower speed than said high speed of said downstream channel; and

an access system to enable a transfer of information signals from said host to said plurality of remote users over said distribution network via broadcasts over said shared medium in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol, and to enable a transfer of information signals from said plurality of 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 access system being operable to provide a two-way session between said host and at least one of said plurality of remote users including a point-to-multipoint path between said host and said plurality of remote users, said access system including;

an interface in communication with said host,

a downstream path for conveying high speed information to said plurality of remote users over said shared medium,

an upstream path for conveying return information from said plurality of remote users, and

a network management system for managing communications over both said downstream path and said upstream path, respectively, at physical layers so that said network management system may handle transferred data irrespective of one of a link layer and network layer protocol employed by said plurality of remote users and said host.

127. The network communication system as recited in claim 126, wherein said system includes asymmetric media wherein a medium for each of said downstream channel and said at least one independent upstream channel is selected from one of a CATV distribution network, a cell site, a television transmission medium, a hybrid fiber coaxial cable network, an over-the-air wireless network, a direct broadcast satellite communication network and a telephone network.

128. The network communication system as recited in claim 127, wherein:

said upstream channel protocol effects operation of said at least one independent upstream channel at multiple speeds; and

said access system selectably effects control of speeds of data transfers on said at least one independent upstream channel.

129. A client-server network including a host server, a plurality of remote clients and a distribution facility for distributing data packets to said plurality of remote clients, said client-server network comprising:

at least one 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 carries lower speed return data packets from said plurality of remote clients to said host server;

a network management that effects within a common control unit transfers of data packets from said host server to said plurality of remote clients via broadcasts from said distribution facility over said shared medium in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol, and that effects within said common control unit transfers of lower speed return data packets from said plurality of remote clients to said host server over an independent upstream channel located on a physical medium that is different from said shared medium of said downstream channel, said independent upstream channel being assigned in accordance with an upstream channel protocol and channel control information transmitted on said downstream channel, said common network management system being operable to provide two-way communication between said host server and said plurality of remote clients;

an interface that enables communications between said common network management system and said host server;

downstream routing equipment that conveys high speed data packets to said plurality of remote clients over said shared medium; and

upstream routing equipment that receives return data packets from said plurality of remote clients and that effects conveyance of said return data packets to said host server.

130. The client-server network as recited in claim 129, wherein said common network management system effects control of assignment of upstream channels to said plurality of remote clients in accordance with scheduling information including at least one of a channel request signal, a channel availability signal, a priority status signal and a class of service signal.

131. The client-server network as recited in claim 129, wherein said network includes asymmetric media where a communication medium for each of said downstream channel and said at least one independent upstream channel is selected from one of a CATV distribution network, a cell site, a television transmission medium, a hybrid fiber coaxial cable network, an over-the-air wireless network, a direct broadcast satellite communication network and a telephone network.

132. The client-server network as recited in claim 129 wherein:

said upstream channel protocol enables operation of said at least one independent upstream channel at multiple speeds; and

said common network management system selectably effects control of speeds of data transfers on said at least one independent upstream channel.

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

a host server;

a plurality of remote users;

a distribution network for distributing information signals to said plurality of remote users;

a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote users to enable said plurality of remote 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, to enable said plurality of remote users to convey return data packets to said host server at a lower speed than a data packet rate transmitted in said downstream channel;

an access system that directly controls, at a network layer or lower, both a transfer of data packets from said host server to said plurality of remote users via broadcasts over said shared medium in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol, and a transfer of lower speed return data packets from said plurality of remote users to said host server over said at least one upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, said access system being operable to provide two-way 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, said access system comprising;

a host interface that enables communication with said host server,

a downstream path to route high speed data packets to said plurality of remote users over said shared medium,

an upstream path for conveying return data packets from said plurality of remote users, and

a common network management system operating on a unitary control platform for managing information flow over said downstream path and said upstream path, respectively, at a selected one of a common network layer and link layer.

134. 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 network in communication with said at least one host computer for distributing data packets from said at least one host computer to said plurality of remote clients;

a downstream channel residing in a medium shared by said plurality of remote clients to enable said plurality of remote clients to receive high speed data packets from said at least one host computer;

at least one upstream channel that is independent of said downstream channel, to enable said plurality of remote clients to convey return data packets to said at least one host computer at a speed that is lower than a data packet rate transmitted in said downstream channel;

a downstream switching path to enable transmission of high speed data packets to said plurality of remote clients over said shared medium;

an upstream switching path for conveying return data packets from said plurality of remote clients; and

a common network management system operating on a unitary control platform without internal link layer or network layer control paths, located at a headend facility of an information distribution network to effect conveyance of data packets from said at least one host computer to said plurality of remote clients via broadcasts over said shared medium in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol, and conveyance of lower speed return data packets from said plurality of remote clients to said at least one host computer over said at least one independent upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, said common network management system being operable with a two-way network that includes a point-to-multipoint communication path between said at least one host computer and said plurality of remote clients.

135. 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 remote RF interfaces associated with said plurality of remote clients in communication with said shared medium and tuned to receive high speed transfers of data packets for conveyance to said plurality of remote clients;

at least one independent upstream channel that carries lower speed return data packets to said host server from a respective at least one of said plurality of remote clients;

a common network management system operating on a unitary control platform without internal link layer or network layer control paths, located at a central headend facility of a data distribution network to effect conveyance of data packets from said host server to said plurality of remote clients via broadcasts over said shared medium in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol, and conveyance of lower speed return data packets from said plurality of remote clients to said host server over said at least one independent upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, said common network management system being operable to provide two-way communication with a network that includes a point-to-multipoint communication path between said host server and said plurality of remote clients in a session wherein transmission of upstream information is at least one of monitored and controlled, at least in part, by said common network management system, said common network management system including;

an interface that communicates with said host server,

a downstream routing path to enable transmission of high speed data packets to said plurality of remote clients over said shared medium at one of a network layer and a link layer, and an upstream routing path for conveying return data packets from said plurality of remote clients at one of a network layer and a link layer.

136. The improvement as recited in claim 135, wherein communication media for each of said shared medium downstream channel and said at least one independent upstream channel is selected from one of a CATV distribution network, a cell site, a television transmission medium, a hybrid fiber coaxial cable network, an over-the-air wireless network, a direct broadcast satellite communication network and a telephone network.

137. The improvement as recited in claim 136, wherein:

said upstream channel protocol enables operation of said at least one independent upstream channel at multiple speeds; and

said common network management system selectably effects control of speeds of data transfers on said at least one independent upstream channel.

138. In combination with a satellite broadcast facility, the improvement comprising:

a host computer;

a plurality of remote clients;

an information distribution facility in communication with said host computer, to distribute information from said host computer to said plurality of remote clients;

a shared broadcast medium including a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients to receive high speed data packets from said host computer;

at least one upstream channel that is independent of said downstream channel, to enable said plurality of remote clients to convey return data packets to said host computer at a lower speed than an information transfer rate of said downstream channel; and

a common network management system that effects a transfer of information from said host computer to said plurality of remote clients via broadcasts over said shared broadcast medium in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol and a transfer of lower speed return information from said plurality of remote clients over said at least one upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, said common network management system being operable in a two-way network that includes a point-to-multipoint communication path between said host computer and said plurality of remote clients.

139. A packet delivery system for use in an asymmetric network to provide two-way communication, said packet delivery system including a host server and at least one remote client, said at least one remote client including an RF interface operating in accordance with a high speed downstream protocol and a low speed interface operating in accordance with a lower speed upstream protocol, said packet delivery system comprising:

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

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

an access system to effect control of data packets from said host server to said at least one remote client over said shared medium in accordance with said high speed downstream protocol, and to monitor communication over said at least one independent upstream channel thereby to schedule upstream communication in accordance with a predefined rule, said access system including;

an interface that enables communication with said host server, a downstream routing device to send high speed data packets to said

at least one remote client over said shared medium,

an upstream routing device to receive return data packets from said at least one remote client, and

a common network management system located at a headend facility of a data distribution network for managing said downstream router and said upstream router.

140. The packet delivery system as recited in claim 139, wherein said access system effects control of assignment of said at least one independent upstream channel to said at least one remote client to assign one of a shared channel and a dedicated channel to said at least one remote client.

141. The packet delivery system as recited in claim 140, wherein said access system effects switching of channel assignments of said at least one remote client between shared and dedicated upstream channels.

142. A method of two-way asymmetric communication comprising:

providing a shared downstream channel;

providing an independent upstream channel independent of said shared downstream channel;

transmitting information over said shared downstream channel in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol;

receiving lower speed return information over said independent upstream channel in accordance with a lower speed upstream channel protocol, said lower speed upstream channel carrying information at a lower speed than that of said shared downstream channel;

effecting management of both said transmission of information over said shared downstream channel and said reception of said lower speed return information over said independent upstream channel by a network management system operating on a unitary control platform that effects control of said upstream and downstream transmissions at a network layer or lower;

providing point-to-multipoint broadcast links over said shared downstream channel; and

enabling said single remote data processor to communicate over said independent upstream channel and said shared downstream channel.

143. A method of two-way asymmetric communication with a plurality of remote clients in an information distribution network including a server, said method comprising:

sharing a downstream medium among said plurality of remote clients;

receiving high-speed information signals from said server by at least one of said plurality of remote clients via said downstream medium;

conveying lower-speed return data packets to said server from said at least one of said plurality of remote clients over an independent upstream channel independent of said downstream medium; and

controlling, in a common network management system, both a conveyance of said high-speed data packets from said server to said at least one of said plurality of remote clients via broadcasts over said shared downstream medium in accordance with a high-speed downstream channel protocol, and a conveyance of lower-speed return data packets from said at least one of said plurality of remote clients to said server over said independent upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol; and

whereby a point-to-multipoint communication path is provided between said server and said plurality of remote clients.

144. A method of managing the conveyance of upstream and downstream data packets in an asymmetric communication system, comprising:

distributing data packets from a host computer to a plurality of remote clients;

enabling said plurality of remote clients to receive high speed data packets from said host computer over a shared downstream channel shared by said plurality of remote clients;

enabling said plurality of remote clients to convey return data packets to said host computer over an upstream channel that is independent of said shared downstream channel at a speed that is lower than a data packet rate transmitted in said downstream channel;

managing, in a common network management unit operating on a unitary control platform, both the conveyance of data packets from said host computer to said plurality of remote clients via broadcasts over said shared downstream channel in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol, and the conveyance of lower speed return data packets from said plurality of remote clients to said host computer over said upstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, said common network management system being operable with a two-way network that includes a point-to-multipoint communication path between said host computer and said plurality of remote clients;

enabling a downstream routing device at a network layer or lower to transmit high speed data packets to said plurality of remote clients over said shared downstream channel; and

enabling an upstream routing device at a network layer or lower to convey return data packets from said plurality of remote clients.