US6463064B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus interconnection of local area networks with wide area networks
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1995-08-10
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Granted: 2002-10-08
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Expires: 2015-08-10
Abstract
Abstract The method and apparatus of the present invention may be utilized to interconnect multiple local area networks to a data processing network including both multiple network nodes having routing and functional capability within the data processing network and multiple endpoint nodes having only local address capability, while minimizing the amount of routing information which must be maintained within the data processing network. A concentrator node is established for interconnection between each of the multiple local area networks and the data processing network. The concentrator node includes a network node interface having routing and functional capability for an associated local area network and an endpoint node interface having local address capability. When interconnected between a local area network and a selected network node within the data processing network, the concentrator node emulates a network node within the local area network while appearing as an endpoint node within the data processing network. The concentrator node maintains routing information for communication between the local area network and the data processing network in two segments. The first segment details the route between the local area network and the concentrator node while a second segment details the route between the concentrator node and a node within the data processing network.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Charles Broockman
- 👤 David Barrett Bryant
- 👤 Lap Thiet Huynh
- 👤 Joseph L. McKinnon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:02
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/46; H04L12/4604
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for interconnecting a plurality of local area networks with a data processing network which includes both a plurality of network nodes having routing and functional capability within said data processing network and a plurality of endpoint nodes, each including only local address capability, while minimizing the amount of routing information maintained within said data processing network, said method comprising the steps of: establishing a concentrator node within each of said plurality of local area networks; establishing within each concentrator node a network node interface having routing and functional capability for an associated local area network; establishing within each concentrator node an endpoint node interface having local address capabilities; and linking said endpoint node interface of each concentrator node to a selected network node within said data processing network, identifying each concentrator node as an endpoint node having local address capability within said data processing network wherein routing information for each local area network is not maintained within said data processing network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for interconnecting a plurality of local area networks with a data processing network which includes both a plurality of network nodes having routing and functional capability within said data processing network and a plurality of endpoint nodes, each including only local address capability, while minimizing the amount of routing information maintained within said data processing network, said method comprising the steps of: establishing a concentrator node within each of said plurality of local area networks; establishing within each concentrator node a network node interface having routing and functional capability for an associated local area network; establishing within each concentrator node an endpoint node interface having local address capabilities; and linking said endpoint node interface of each concentrator node to a selected network node within said data processing network, identifying each concentrator node as an endpoint node having local address capability within said data processing network wherein routing information for each local area network is not maintained within said data processing network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method for interconnecting a data processing network and a plurality of local area networks according to claim 1 , further including the step of transmitting directory search requests from within a local area network to said data processing network via an associated concentrator node.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method for interconnecting a data processing network and a plurality of local area networks according to claim 2 , further including the step of adding local address information to each directory search request at said associated concentrator node prior to transmitting each directory search request to said data processing network, said local address information specifying at least said link between said concentrator node and said selected network node within said data processing network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method for interconnecting a data processing network and a plurality of local area networks according to claim 3 , further including the step of removing data processing network routing information from each directory search request response received at said concentrator node from said selected network node within said data processing network and storing said data processing network routing information within said concentrator node prior to returning said directory search request response to said local area network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method for interconnecting a data processing network and a plurality of local area networks according to claim 4 , further including The step of transmitting a bind request after a successful directory search request from said local area network to said data processing network via said concentrator node and said selected network node within said data processing network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method for interconnecting a data processing network and a plurality of local area networks according to claim 5 , further including the step of removing local area network routing information from said bind request received from said local area network at said concentrator node and storing said local area network routing information at said concentrator node prior to transmitting said bind request to said data processing network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method for interconnecting a data processing network and a plurality of local area networks according to claim 6 , further including the step of substituting data processing network routing information stored at said concentrator node into said bind request in place of said removed local area network routing information prior to transmitting said bind request from said concentrator node to said selected node within said data processing network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method for interconnecting a data processing network and a plurality of local area networks according to claim 1 , further including the step of transmitting directory search requests from within said data processing network to said local area network via said concentrator node.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
114 words
A concentrator node for interconnecting a local area network with a data processing network which includes both a plurality of network nodes having routing and functional capability within said data processing network and a plurality of endpoint nodes, each including only local address capability, while minimizing the amount of routing information maintained within said data processing network, said concentrator node comprising: a network node interface within said concentrator node having routing and functional capability within said local area network; an endpoint node interface within said concentrator node having local address capabilities; and means for selectively linking said endpoint node interface within said concentrator node with a selected network node within said data processing network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
114 words
A concentrator node for interconnecting a local area network with a data processing network which includes both a plurality of network nodes having routing and functional capability within said data processing network and a plurality of endpoint nodes, each including only local address capability, while minimizing the amount of routing information maintained within said data processing network, said concentrator node comprising: a network node interface within said concentrator node having routing and functional capability within said local area network; an endpoint node interface within said concentrator node having local address capabilities; and means for selectively linking said endpoint node interface within said concentrator node with a selected network node within said data processing network.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-10-07 | 2006-04-08 | 2006-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-07 | 2010-04-08 | 2010-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-07 | 2014-04-08 | 2014-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |