EP0567217A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System of extending network resources to remote networks
Assignee: 3Com Corp
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Filing: 1993-03-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A system for interconnecting networks transparently extends the multiprotocol routing functionality of a router across a communication link to a remote LAN, while requiring a device on the remote LAN which operates independent of the higher layer protocol suites. A boundary router, having a local routing interface coupled to the first network, and a remote routing interface coupled to the communication link, provides the higher level protocol suite services for routing frames of data to terminals in the first and second networks. A routing adapter extends the remote routing interface of the boundary router transparently across the communication link to the second network.
Inventors
- 👤 John H. Hart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:50
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/46; H04L12/4604; H04L12/462; H04L2212/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for connecting a first network and a second network, comprising: a communication link; means, having a local interface coupled to the first network and a remote interface coupled to the communication link, for providing network services to frames of data in the first and second networks through the local and remote interfaces; and means, coupled to a second network and to the communication link, for extending the remote interface transparently to the second network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for connecting a first network and a second network, comprising: a communication link; means, having a local interface coupled to the first network and a remote interface coupled to the communication link, for providing network services to frames of data in the first and second networks through the local and remote interfaces; and means, coupled to a second network and to the communication link, for extending the remote interface transparently to the second network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network resources include routing services and the local and remote interfaces have respective network addresses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the routing services apply the network address of the local interface as source address to frames routed to the first network and the network address of the remote interface as source address to frames routed to the second network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for providing network resources includes means for maintaining end system directories for the first and second networks for support of routing of frames received from the first and second networks.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network resources include routing services supporting routing algorithms of a plurality of higher level protocol suites, and the means for extending means operates transparent to the higher level protocol suites.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for extending includes management resources for responding in the event that the communication link is inoperable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication link comprises a point-to-point channel, connecting the remote interface and the means for extending.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for connecting a first network and a plurality of other networks, comprising: a plurality of communication links; means, having a local interface coupled to the first network and a plurality of remote interfaces coupled to respective communication links in the plurality of communication links, for providing network services to frames of data in the first and plurality of other networks through the local interface and plurality of remote interfaces; and a plurality of adaptor means, coupled to respective networks in the plurality of other networks and to respective communication links in the plurality of communication links, for extending respective remote interfaces in the plurality of remote interfaces transparently to the respective other networks.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for connecting a first network and a plurality of other networks, comprising: a plurality of communication links; means, having a local interface coupled to the first network and a plurality of remote interfaces coupled to respective communication links in the plurality of communication links, for providing network services to frames of data in the first and plurality of other networks through the local interface and plurality of remote interfaces; and a plurality of adaptor means, coupled to respective networks in the plurality of other networks and to respective communication links in the plurality of communication links, for extending respective remote interfaces in the plurality of remote interfaces transparently to the respective other networks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the network resources include routing services and the local interface and the plurality of remote interfaces have respective network addresses.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the routing resources apply the network address of the local interface as source address to frames routed to the first network and the network address of the respective remote interface as source address to frames routed to networks in the plurality of other networks.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for providing network resources includes means for maintaining end system directories for the first network and the plurality of other networks for support of routing among the first network and the plurality of other networks.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the network resources include routing services supporting routing algorithms of a plurality of higher level protocol suites, and the plurality of adaptor means operate transparent to the higher level protocol suites.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plurality of adaptor means include management resources for responding to frames on the respective other network in the event that the respective communication link is inoperable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of communication links comprises a point-to-point channel, connecting the respective remote interface and the respective adaptor means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the network resources comprise a multiprotocol router for routing frames among the plurality of remote networks and the local network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the multiprotocol router includes resources for routing frames between respective remote interfaces in the plurality of remote interfaces, and resources for routing frames between the local interface and respective ones of the plurality of remote interfaces.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for connecting a first network to a second network, comprising: a communication link; routing means, on the first network and coupled to the communication link, for routing frames of data to systems in the first and second networks in response to frames received from the first network and by way of the communication link from the second network; and routing adaptor means, on the second network and coupled to the communication link, and responsive to destination addresses in frames within a programmed set, for forwarding frames of data having a destination address within the programmed set from the second network across the communication link to the routing means, and forwarding frames received from the routing means by way of the communication link to the second network.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for connecting a first network to a second network, comprising: a communication link; routing means, on the first network and coupled to the communication link, for routing frames of data to systems in the first and second networks in response to frames received from the first network and by way of the communication link from the second network; and routing adaptor means, on the second network and coupled to the communication link, and responsive to destination addresses in frames within a programmed set, for forwarding frames of data having a destination address within the programmed set from the second network across the communication link to the routing means, and forwarding frames received from the routing means by way of the communication link to the second network.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the routing means applies a first source address to frames routed to the first network and a second source address to frames routed to the second network.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the routing adaptor means has a routing adaptor address, and the programmed set includes the routing adaptor address.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the routing means applies a first source address to frames routed to the first network and the routing adaptor address to frames routed to the second network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the programmed set includes a list of group addresses which identify frames to be processed by the routing means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the routing means includes means for maintaining end system directories for the first and second networks for support of routing in the first and second networks.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the routing means includes routing resources supporting routing algorithms of a plurality of higher level protocol suites, and the routing adaptor means operates independent of the higher level protocol suites.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the routing adaptor means includes management resources for responding to frames having destination addresses within the programmed set in the event that the communication link in inoperable.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the communication link comprises a point-to-point channel, connecting the routing means and the routing adaptor means.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
65 words
An apparatus for connecting a first network through a communication link to a system in a second network, the system providing network resources, comprising: means, coupled to the communication link and the second network, for providing an extended interface to the network resources in the system transparently to the first network; and means for managing communication across the communication link transparently to the first network.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
65 words
An apparatus for connecting a first network through a communication link to a system in a second network, the system providing network resources, comprising: means, coupled to the communication link and the second network, for providing an extended interface to the network resources in the system transparently to the first network; and means for managing communication across the communication link transparently to the first network.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for extending includes: means, coupled to the communication link and the first network, and responsive to destination addresses in frames within a programmed set, for forwarding frames of data having a destination address within the programmed set from the first network across the communication link to the system; and means, coupled to the communication link and the first network, for forwarding frames received from the system by way of the communication link to the first network.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first network includes a plurality of local area networks, and further including: a bridge coupling the plurality of local area networks to the extended interface.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the network resources in the system comprise a multi-protocol router.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the system includes a local interface to the second network, and the local interface and the extended interface have respective network addresses.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the network resources apply the network address of the local interface as source address to frames relayed to the first network and the network address of the extended interface as source address to frames relayed to the second network.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 26, further including: management resources for responding on the first network to frames in the event that the communication link is inoperable.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for connecting a first network through a first communication link to a first system in a second network and through a second communication link to a second system in a third network, the first and second systems providing network resources, comprising: means, coupled to the first communication link and the first network, for providing a first extended interface to the network resources in the first system transparently to the first network; means for managing communication across the first communication link transparently to the first network; means, coupled to the second communication link and the first network, for providing a second extended interface to the network resources in the second system transparently to the first network; and means for managing communication across the second communication link transparently to the first network.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for connecting a first network through a first communication link to a first system in a second network and through a second communication link to a second system in a third network, the first and second systems providing network resources, comprising: means, coupled to the first communication link and the first network, for providing a first extended interface to the network resources in the first system transparently to the first network; means for managing communication across the first communication link transparently to the first network; means, coupled to the second communication link and the first network, for providing a second extended interface to the network resources in the second system transparently to the first network; and means for managing communication across the second communication link transparently to the first network.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the first means for extending includes: means, coupled to the communication link and the first network, and responsive to destination addresses in frames within a programmed set, for forwarding frames of data having a destination address within the programmed set from the first network across the communication link to the first system; and means, coupled to the communication link and the first network, for forwarding frames received from the first system by way of the communication link to the first network.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the first network includes a plurality of local area networks, and further including: a bridge coupling the plurality of local area networks to the first and second extended interfaces.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the network resources in the first and second systems comprise multi-protocol routers.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the first system has a first local interface to the second network, and the second system has a second local interface to the third network, and the first local interface, second local interface, first extended interface, and second extended interface have respective network addresses.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the network resources in the first system apply the network address of the first local interface as source address to frames relayed to the second network and the network address of the first extended interface as source address to frames relayed to the first network; and wherein the network resources in the second terminal apply the network address of the second local interface as source address to frames relayed to the third network and the network address of the second extended interface as source address to frames relayed to the first network.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 33, further including: management resources for responding on the first network to frames in the event that the first communication link is inoperable, and for responding on the first network to frames in the event that the second communication link is inoperable.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for connecting a system on a first network through a communication link to a second network, the system providing network resources, comprising: means, coupled with the system, for providing a local interface to the network resources for the first network; means, coupled with the system, for providing a remote interface to the network resources for the second network through the communication link; and means for managing communications serving the remote interface across the communication link transparently to the second network.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for connecting a system on a first network through a communication link to a second network, the system providing network resources, comprising: means, coupled with the system, for providing a local interface to the network resources for the first network; means, coupled with the system, for providing a remote interface to the network resources for the second network through the communication link; and means for managing communications serving the remote interface across the communication link transparently to the second network.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the network resources comprise: means for routing frames of data to systems in the first and second networks through the local and remote interfaces.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the local and remote interfaces have respective network addresses.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for connecting a system on a first network to a plurality of remote networks through respective communication links, the system providing network resources, comprising: means, coupled with the system, for providing a local interface to the network resources for the first network; means, coupled with the system, for providing a plurality of remote interfaces to the network resources for respective remote networks through the respective communication links; and means for managing communications serving the plurality of remote interfaces across the respective communication links transparently to the plurality of remote networks.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for connecting a system on a first network to a plurality of remote networks through respective communication links, the system providing network resources, comprising: means, coupled with the system, for providing a local interface to the network resources for the first network; means, coupled with the system, for providing a plurality of remote interfaces to the network resources for respective remote networks through the respective communication links; and means for managing communications serving the plurality of remote interfaces across the respective communication links transparently to the plurality of remote networks.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the network resources comprise: means for routing frames of data to systems in the first network and the plurality of remote networks among the local interface and the plurality of remote interfaces.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the local interface and each of the plurality of remote interfaces has a respective network address.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the network resources comprise a multiprotocol router.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the multiprotocol router includes resources for routing frames between respective remote interfaces in the plurality of remote interfaces, and resources for routing frames between the local interface and respective ones of the plurality of remote interfaces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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