Protocol conversion system for data communication between different types of open networks

• US 6,400,729 B1
• Filed: 09/11/1998
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Fukuda, Takashi, Nishimura, Satoshi, Matsukawa, Yoshinobu, Sakaguchi, Taiichirou, Shimadoi, Toru
• Primary Examiner(s): Cangialosi, Salvatore
• Application Number:
  US09/152,177
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• Field of Search: 370/466, 370/467, 370/469
• US Class Current: 370/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/085 specially adapted for interworking of IP-based networks with other networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/32 Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level

Abstract

A protocol conversion system is provided to secure a highly reliable and smooth data communication between different two types of networks whose protocols differs in types from each other. A protocol conversion between such networks is realized by replacing headers added to communication data. Information indicating that sending data was success or failure in transmission is included in the headers, thereby sending results being recognized. A serial interface intervenes between the self and party systems in order to detect states of the party system. Further, for data communication, without processing (or terminating) layers up to an application layer, only lower layers, that is, a transport layer and layers lower than it, are processed (or terminated) to raise reliability in data communication.

Claims

1. A protocol conversion system intervening, between a first open type communication network system conforming a first protocol and a second open type communication network system conforming a first protocol and being responsible for sending and receiving communication data therebetween, comprising:

header adding means for adding to the communication data a header having protocol converting information; and

information including means for including information about success and failure in communication into the header.

2. The protocol conversion system of claim 1, further comprising interface means for reading a communication state of one of the first and second communication network systems from the other of the first and second communication network systems.

3. The protocol conversion system of claim 1, further comprising a network having an OSI reference model, and means for performing one of processing and termination in a transport layer and a layer lower than the transport layer.

4. A protocol conversion system intervening between different types of networks and being responsible for sending and receiving communication data therebetween, comprising:

a first node performing communication of data based on a first protocol defining a communication system of a first network;

a second node performing communication of data based on a second protocol defining a communication system of a second network, said second node including a protocol converting means for adding conversion information for conversion to the first protocol, adding control information for control of the first node, and terminating conversion information, for conversion to the second protocol; and

a protocol converter for mutually relaying the communication data between the first and second nodes and for controlling the first node, comprising;

first communication data processing means for processing the communication data to the first node layer by layer;

second communication data processing means for processing the communication data to the second node layer by layer;

node control means not only having serial interface means but also having means for controlling the first node using the serial interface means, monitoring a state of the first node, and notifying the second node of a monitored state of the first node; and

further protocol converting means for terminating the conversion information for conversion to the first protocol, converting to frames recognized by the first node based on the terminated conversion information, terminating the control information for control of the first node, and adding the conversion information for conversion of the communication data from the first node into the second protocol.

5. The protocol conversion system of claim 4, wherein each of said first and second communication data processing means is constructed to terminate only lower layers of a protocol implemented in each processing means.

6. The protocol conversion system of claim 4, wherein said first protocol is an HDLC.

7. The protocol conversion system of claim 4, wherein said second protocol is a TCP/IP.

8. The protocol conversion system of claim 4, wherein said further protocol converting means includes means for replacing a header composed of a first identifier for identifying a type of the communication data, a second identifier indicating an origin from which the communication data are sent, a third identifier indicating a destination to which the communication data are sent, a fourth identifier indicating sequential information, and a fifth identifier indicating details of the first identifier.

9. The protocol conversion system of claim 8, wherein said further protocol converting means includes means for classifying the communication data by identifying the header.

10. The protocol conversion system of claim 4, wherein said node control means includes mean for monitoring the state of the first node through the serial interface means, and means for notifying the second node of the state of the first node when the monitoring means detects changes in the state of the first node.

11. The protocol conversion system of claim 10, wherein said node control means further includes means for storing information about the monitored state of the first node, and said notifying means is constructed to notify the second node of the state of the first node in response to a request originated from the first node.

12. The protocol conversion system of claim 4, wherein said first node has means for receiving a physical address sent by the serial interface means and setting the physical address in the first protocol.

13. The protocol conversion system of claim 12, wherein said receiving and setting means is constructed to be performed responsively to a request-to-start of operation sent from the second node.

14. The protocol conversion system of claim 4, wherein said protocol converter further comprises means for determining an abnormal state of a connection with the second node, means for cutting off the connection if the abnormal state is determined, means for performing a reconnection operation with the second node, and means for notifying the first node of the reconnection when the reconnection has been achieved.