Scaleable network system for remote access of a local network
First Claim
1. A network system that couples a plurality of remote clients to at least one local area network (LAN), comprising:
- an access server for coupling to the LAN that executes a network operating system (NOS) to enable communication with the LAN;
an access bus;
an access device coupled to said access bus and for coupling to said access server that operates in cooperation with said NOS to establish a communication link between said access server and each of a plurality of clients coupled through said access bus; and
at least one multiport device coupled to said access bus and for coupling to a plurality of clients through corresponding wide area network (WAN) connections to establish a communication link between each client and said access device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network system that provides a scaleable and distributed architecture to enable a plurality of remote clients to access a local area network (LAN). The network system includes an access server that executes a network operating system (NOS), such as any standard NOS, to enable communication with the LAN, an access bus, an access device coupled to the access server and the access bus that cooperates with the NOS to establish a communication link between the access server and the clients, and at least one multiport device coupled to the access bus and coupled to one or more clients through corresponding wide area network (WAN) connections that cooperates with the access device to establish a communication link between clients and the access device. The access server is preferably implemented on an industry standard platform using industry standard components. The access bus is either a dedicated bus or a shared media bus, such as Ethernet. The multiport and access devices cooperate to link each client to the access server as though directly connected thereto. Each multiport device includes a plurality of port slots, each for receiving one of a plurality of communication cards coupled to a remote clients via corresponding WAN connections. Each communication card operates according to one of a plurality of different communication protocols.
121 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A network system that couples a plurality of remote clients to at least one local area network (LAN), comprising:
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an access server for coupling to the LAN that executes a network operating system (NOS) to enable communication with the LAN; an access bus; an access device coupled to said access bus and for coupling to said access server that operates in cooperation with said NOS to establish a communication link between said access server and each of a plurality of clients coupled through said access bus; and at least one multiport device coupled to said access bus and for coupling to a plurality of clients through corresponding wide area network (WAN) connections to establish a communication link between each client and said access device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A scaleable and distributed network system that provides a plurality of communication links between a plurality of remote client devices and at least one local area network (LAN), the network system comprising:
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an access server for coupling to the LAN that executes a network operating system (NOS) to enable communication between the LAN and client devices; an access bus; an access card coupled to said access bus and for coupling to said access server to establish a plurality of communication links to the LAN, wherein said access card receives port information associated with client devices coupled through said access bus to access the LAN, and establishes and maintains communication between the LAN and client devices via said NOS; at least one multiport configuration device coupled to said access bus, comprising; a plurality of port slots; and communication logic coupled to said plurality of port slots and said access bus for detecting connection of client devices through said plurality of port slots, for sending corresponding port information across said access bus, and for establishing and maintaining a communication link between client devices and said access card; and a plurality of communication cards, each configured to interface one of said plurality of port slots of said multiport configuration device, to communicate with at least one client device across a wide area network (WAN) connection and to transfer data between said communication logic and said at least one client device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A wide area network (WAN), comprising:
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a plurality of remote clients; a local area network (LAN); an access server, including; memory; at least one processor coupled to said memory that executes a network operating system (NOS); an expansion bus coupled to said at least one processor and including a plurality of expansion slots, each expansion slot configured to receive an expansion card; and a LAN card coupled to said LAN and configured as an expansion card for plugging into one of said plurality of expansion slots to enable communication between said NOS and said LAN; an access bus; an expansion access card coupled to said access bus and plugged into one of said expansion slots of said access server that cooperates with said NOS to establish a communication link between said access server and each of said plurality of remote clients; at least one multiport device coupled to said access bus, each comprising; a plurality of port slots; a system bus coupled to said port slots; and interface logic coupled to said system bus and said access bus; and a plurality of communication cards, each configured to plug into one of said plurality of port slots of said multiport device and each coupled to a corresponding one of said plurality of remote clients via a WAN connection.
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Specification