A table memory stores an address transformation table (AT table) which contains no address pairs therein before initialization of the system. A hash function memory stores a plurality of hash functions which are selectively used in correspondence with the sizes of a backbone network (BN) and a local area network (LAN), when an address pair consisting of a node address and a LAN address, of a LAN to which a node indicated by the node address belongs, is registered in the AT table. When a control unit receives frame data from the LAN or the BN, it automatically generates the above address pair consisting of the node address and the LAN address in the AT table by selecting one of the plurality of hash functions. During registration, if the AT table reaches the limit of its available storage space, and a new address is to be registered, the control unit then generates an AT table larger in size than the current AT table, using another hash function, and registers the already registered address pairs and the new address pair in the newly enlarged AT table.

Network adapter for connecting local area network to backbone network

An object interface is disclosed that supports three modes of inter-object communication--message processing (store and forward), conversational communication, and remote procedure call. A service broker manages service requests from, and responsive services provided by, a plurality of clients and servers, respectively, which may reside on different hardware platforms and operating systems and may be connected to computer networks having different network architectures and associated communications protocols. The broker manages the service offerings from servers and service requests from clients, and clients and servers communicate and exchange information with one another via the broker. The service broker includes different application programming interfaces for allowing participants to access the functionality of the service broker.

System for allocating adaptor to server by determining from embedded foreign protocol commands in client request if the adapter service matches the foreign protocol

Multiple different operational capabilities, such as data transfer rates or communication protocols, are selectable for use on a single LAN comprising a plurality of nodes (40). Enhanced nodes (21, 29, 30) of the LAN have the capability of utilizing either an enhanced capability or a common capability in communicating with other nodes. Those basic nodes (81, 153, 247) which are not of the enhanced variety have the capability of communicating utilizing the common capability. The enhanced nodes dynamically select the operational capability for the most efficient communication with other nodes.

Lan with dynamically selectable multiple operational capabilities

Two different communication protocols are interoperatively combined for use in a local area network (LAN). An enhanced protocol can be selected as an alternative to a common protocol during communication between enhanced nodes of the LAN. Signals communicated between nodes of the LAN in the first and second protocols create the appearance of valid activity in both protocols, and always communicate at least some valid information in one of the protocols and selectively communicate additional valid information in a second protocol. Preferably the signals applied in the second or enhanced protocol include signals which are inserted in such a way that they are transparent to the first protocol. Improved network management capabilities and data transfer rates are available as a result of the information communicated in the second protocol.

Lan with interoperative multiple operational capabilities

A method for handling data frames by a bridge between a first network which implements group addressing and a second network which implements functional addressing but does not permit multiple group addressing. A first memory within the bridge receives data frames from the first network and from the second network. The data frames each have a destination address. A system memory within the bridge includes an address table and a translation table. Each entry in the address table has a first field which is a destination address and a second field which indicates if the destination address addresses more than a single station. When the first memory receives from the first network a first data frame having a first destination address, a system processor within the bridge searches the address table for the first destination address to determine whether the first destination address addresses more than a single station. If so, the system processor searches the translation table for a first group address which matches the first destination address and substitutes for the first destination address a first functional address corresponding to the first group address before forwarding the first data frame on the second network.

Group address translation through a network bridge

A method is disclosed for implementing a token ring network on a token bus network. In accordance with the invention a token ring node is connected to each one of a plurality of token bus nodes such that the token ring node appears to the token bus node to which it is connected as station equipment and the token bus node appears to the token ring node as both the next token ring node and the preceeding token ring node in a ring network. A message is transmitted from a token ring node by forming a token ring frame and transmitting the token ring frame to the next token ring node which is the token bus node to which the token ring node is connected. The token bus node encapsulates the token ring frame that it receives in a token bus frame and transmits the resulting token bus frame to a destination bus node. The destination bus node receives the token bus frame, removes the token ring frame that is encapsulated therein and forwards the token ring frame to the token ring node connected to the destination bus node.

Michael H. Coden

Papers

Method for implementing a token passing ring network on a bus network