Distributed data processing system

• US 5,974,048 A
• Filed: 01/23/1997
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Corporation
• Inventors: Godse, Dhananjay Damodar, Gage, William Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Kizou, Hassan
• Assistant Examiner(s): TOWNSEND, CLEMENT G
• Application Number:
  US08/786,948
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 370/395, 370/396, 370/397, 370/420, 370/465, 370/471, 395/652, 395/200.51
• US Class Current: 370/396
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5616 Terminal equipment, e.g. codecs, synch.
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/563 Signalling, e.g. protocols, reference model
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections

Abstract

An arrangement for connecting a device or end system to an ATM network incorporates a device controller coupled to the end system via first and second virtual channels across the network. The device controller discovers and boots the end system via the first virtual channel and performs proxy signalling means via the second virtual channel for on behalf of the end system.

Claims

1. A method of connecting a device or end system via a device controller to an ATM network, the method comprising providing first and second virtual channels between the device controller and the end system, discovering and booting the end system via the first virtual channel, and providing proxy signalling for the end system via the second virtual channel, wherein said discovering and booting incorporates downloading of software and configuration data from the device controller to the end system so that the end system appears to the network as an intelligent ATM end system.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said proxy signalling employs a metasignalling protocol.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said metasignalling protocol comprises accepting a single cell from a single cell connection set up request on the second virtual channel and providing in response thereto a virtual channel indicator for standard ATM signalling.

4. An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) communications network having a plurality of ports for coupling end systems to the network, wherein at least some of said ports are shared ports each arranged to provide shared access to the network from two or more said end devices coupled to that port;

wherein the network incorporates a device controller coupled to a said end system via first and second virtual channels across the network, wherein the device controller has means for discovery and booting of said end system via the first virtual channel and proxy signalling means coupled to the end system via the second virtual channel for performing a signalling function on behalf of that end system, and wherein each said port incorporate broadcast means for broadcasting ATM cells in a downstream direction to all end systems coupled to that port, and wherein said port incorporates multiplexer means for sequentially multiplexing cells in an, upstream direction from the end systems to the network.

5. A network as claimed in claim 4, wherein each end system incorporates;

ATM network services control means arranged to provide end system registration, connection set-up and ATM cell transport;

an operating system providing operating system functionality; and

an ATM driver providing an interface to the ATM network.

6. A network as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least some end systems incorporate system communications means providing transport and locator services over the ATM network.

7. An arrangement for connecting a device or end system to an ATM network, the arrangement comprising a device controller coupled to the end system via first and second virtual channels across the network, wherein the device controller has means for discovery and booting of the end system via the first virtual channel and proxy signalling means coupled to the end system via the second virtual channel for performing a signalling function on behalf of the end system, wherein the end system is coupled to the network via a port shared with a plurality of other end systems, wherein said port incorporates broadcast means for broadcasting ATM cells in a downstream direction to all end systems coupled to that port, wherein said port incorporates multiplexer means for sequentially multiplexing cells in an upstream direction from the end systems to the network, and wherein each end system incorporates;

ATM network services control means arranged to provide end system registration, connection set-up and ATM cell transport;

an operating system providing operating system functionality; and

an ATM driver providing an interface to the ATM network.

8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least some end systems incorporate system communications means providing transport and locator services over the ATM network.