JPS59215154A - Communication controller - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of communication control interconnecting one or more digital devices to one or more other digital devices. More specifically, this invention:
Constructed in a cohesive manner to create a flexible and cost-effective approach to data communications interfaces, specific to chain multiplexers, intelligent switches, and local area network (LAN) equipment. The present invention relates to a device for interconnecting a medium to large number of user terminal devices, remote digital devices within a computer system, etc., using some of the ideas described above. The communication control device of the present invention replaces the actual terminal connection of the computer interface, simplifies it, and substantially enhances the system for managers while preserving the transparent transmission mechanism of software and protocols. In this specification, the term "digital device" refers to a main computer, a minicomputer, a terminal device, a modem, and a printer.

The communication board is digital, such as a display and similar devices with digital interfaces.
Refers to any device that sends and/or receives data.

As the requirements of telecommunications companies, computer companies, and end-A-U users increase, the desire to improve data communication within computer systems grows at the same or even greater rate. Many of the problems associated with conventional systems when they are assembled or modified for expansion include increased utilization of many computer lines, heavy switching to configurations that include separate sets of terminal equipment, This is caused by the need to locate a large number of terminal equipment away from the computer room and the widespread use of a common medium (i.e., telephone company) for data transmission.

It is common to find communication lines associated with users of a body consisting of a collective control unit connecting a group of terminal devices. Data is transferred from this control device to a control location via a high-speed combined line. Unfortunately, such conventional control devices have not been available to minicomputer users. These user systems are developed as online systems rather than batch processing devices, so they are equivalent to a larger version of that system.
, the front-end processing unit, the collective control unit, and the lry special communication protocol.

Typically, systems using minicomputers with multiple terminals located far from the control location are simply interconnected using separate rental lines.

In an effort to minimize the line costs associated with communication along multiline lines between a computer interface and a collection of user terminals, data concentrators, commonly known by the name statistical multiplexers, have recently been developed. is now available. This statistical multiplexer is total! The machine interface accommodates a large number of lines, transmitting this information over one high-speed composite line and restoring it at the other end with a multiline system.

However, a statistical multiplexer connects two points that are 1 km apart in some cases, on one high-speed transmission line. In order to perform the D1 narrow conversion from line to multiline, complex and expensive signal processing equipment is required.

Unless a considerable number of lines are used in this system, there is a risk that the cost of the statistical multiplexer will not be offset by the savings in line cost.

A user of the main body may have a management circuit consisting of a large number of terminal devices and a large number of host computers.

Each user needs to be able to access different higher-level computers through his or her own terminal device.

At the same time, this shuttle system requires an operations manager to both control and manage the lines. To meet these conditions, digital data exchange systems have recently come into use on the market. This switching system allows a greater number of terminals to be interconnected to the system and helps manage the system, with a total of 8 boats available. Unfortunately, these systems are expensive, often costing more than the entire minicomputer system itself. Furthermore, because all lines from all devices must pass through the switching device, the number of lines in the system is often significantly increased rather than reduced to improve communications control. Switched circuits have other important drawbacks.

These circuits nearly double the number of interconnections in the system, increase the chance of mechanical damage, and do not allow bidirectional communication between all devices, resulting in the primary device being Any secondary device can be selected, but the destination cannot be selected for the secondary device. However, such systems set the basic guidelines for intelligent exchange devices, which became more and more prominent as the price of minicomputers and even superminicomputers rose. Still, for lines with fewer than 64 lines, controlling via intelligent switches is a luxury that most minicomputer users cannot afford.

Local Area Network (LAN) devices, defined as intelligent switching systems that can be located and interconnected at remote locations while remaining controlled from a single source, have introduced the idea of redundancy and distributed architecture. , entered. This idea has recently come to the attention of users of minicomputers and data communication systems regarding the 7i. However, the cost of such a device designed for general use is prohibitive for the casual minicomputer user.

Recently, systems with multiple terminals have grown significantly, and options to improve the performance of these systems, such as the statistical multiplexers, intelligent switching systems, and local area circuits mentioned above, have become commercially available. Use it! ), but the basic Kumini computer data communications multiplexer remained largely unchanged except for its physical size and cost were reduced.

Therefore, it is possible to support a large number of terminal connections, it is possible to place the boat connection of the terminal device at a long distance from the adapter of the host computer, and the functions and number of terminal connections can be expanded, allowing two or more terminals to be connected. upper needle P.

Allows for intercommunication between any two or even more digital devices, even in an online format, and allows for a record of all connections. Improved cost-effective computer/computer capable of having monitoring equipment and printer boats
Clearly, there is a need for a digital data communications multiplexer. This invention meets this need.

In the present invention, the problems and shortcomings of conventional devices discussed above are solved by providing an improved "communications controller" for interconnecting one or more digital devices to other digital devices.

The equipment consists of multiple synchronous or asynchronous line adapters, link interfaces, and supervisory and bus control equipment, all interconnected by a local communication bus to provide data signals and control within the control equipment. It is designed to send and distribute signals. A high speed data complex transmission line is provided to transmit and receive data between the controller and remote digital devices. The local end of the composite transmission line is coupled to a link interface and the remote end of the composite transmission line is coupled to a digital device interface adapter to connect the remote digital device, e.g.
Data is directly communicated to the processing unit bus line of the n upper needles. One control device for monitoring and control is linked with the line adapter.
I of the data on the local communication bus between the interfaces
ll Control location and destination routing. The choice of whether the line adapter is synchronous PL or asynchronous is a function of the particular application of the invention.

A preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates several rafts of asynchronous line adapters into one asynchronous multi-M line adapter card. Preferably, each such line card is mated to eight separate terminal devices at its terminal board connector. The other end of the asynchronous multiline adapter card is coupled to the local communication bus. Each device has an additional asynchronous multiplex I that accommodates eight terminal devices on its terminal port connector.
Can be expanded to include a 9-way adapter card. A typical complete system would connect as many as, but not limited to, eight asynchronous multiline adapter cards to the local communications bus, and thus, in the basic form of the invention, as many as 64, for example Terminal device is top n
1 can access a calculator. High speed composite transmission lines can have lengths up to 1 km without the aid of modems. HDLC with IMbps composite transmission line
Configure protocol datalinks.

Another possibility for expansion with this invention is to use the second port of the link interface to connect the link interface to the same or another digital device, for example to the same or another host computer, or to an additional communication control device. It is possible to provide a pair of high speed data composite transmission lines for communication. In this way, the number of possible terminals is expanded to 128, and for example, 64 terminal devices are connected to two upper needles j!
Make it possible to communicate with the machine. Additional link interfaces can be added to further expand the number of terminal and host W-machine connections.

In order to make the detailed explanation of this invention easier to understand and simpler,
The term "node" refers to the part of the communication control unit that is comprised of the asynchronous multiline adapter, the link interface, and the supervisory and bus control unit. In this case, a complete communication control device, in its simplest form, consists of one node and one machine interface or host adapter.

That is, the node functionally couples the terminal boat to the local end of the composite transmission line, and the host adapter couples the composite transmission line to the processing unit bus of the host computer.

To complete the function as a communication control device, the monitoring and busbar control device has a pair of asynchronous ports. One communicates with the operator control terminal and the other communicates with the printer or modem. Of course, more than two asynchronous boats may be used.

This system can be expanded as described above with additional multiline adapter cards as well as additional link interfaces; equipment can be installed. With the addition of small processing and storage devices, the system can perform message storage and forwarding functions on the local communication bus. Accordingly, the stored information is sent to the upstream machine via the link interface at a convenient later point when traffic permits.

In the preferred embodiment, each link interface has two high speed composite transmission line possibilities;
The system may have a second host adapter for redundancy within the same host computer, or may be sent to the second host machine via a separate host adapter, or alternatively can be sent to the link interface in the second section for expansion. This expansion is only limited by the physical constraints of the housing on the device as well as the efficiency of the system in connecting additional nodes.

It is therefore understood that the present invention combines the specific capabilities of various data processing devices to be useful in a wide variety of applications and to produce benefits heretofore not available as a single packaged unit. Good morning. the idea of the particular configuration used, the use of long composite transmission links;
The shape of the internal communication bus, its expansion capabilities, the size, type, and price of a piece of hardware that combines these functions results in an unexpectedly low cost for a single line.

FIG. 1 shows a very basic multi-terminal/total n t+ system. The host computer 2 calculates f via the host computer 8
It is connected to the i-machine interface 4.

A total of n machine interfaces 4'' have ports 10 for several terminal devices 6, and perform control functions necessary for communication between the terminal devices and the host computer.The host computer 2 and the terminal device M6 The maximum distance between them is on the order of 50 to 100 feet.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 1, and a collection of terminal devices 6 can be placed at a location away from the host computer by means of a high-speed composite transmission line 18. A composite transmission line 18 is coupled between local statistical multiplexer 12 and remote statistical multiplexer 16. Statistical multiplexers 12 and 16 perform data aggregation and time sharing functions.

Basically, the statistical multiplexer fans out to as many logical lines within the computer as there are physical lines at the terminal end of the configuration. For this reason, both ends of the statistical multiplexer
2.14 can be provided with greater distances, such as those typically associated with modem transmission lines, but the only line savings are in the two halves that act as statistical multiplexers. The number of lines between the lines will be reduced. As will be explained later with reference to FIG.
It is functionally and structurally distinct from a statistical multiplexer in that it acts as an upper-level adapter with intelligence that knows the interface-specific protocols and node configurations. That is, the host adapter can communicate directly with the processor bus of the computer without fanning out to an equivalent number of lines, as is the case with conventional computer interface systems.

FIG. 3 shows another conventional configuration that is more elaborate in that two groups of terminal devices 6 are connected via an intelligent switch 20 to a pair of host computers 2A and 2B. FIG. 3 shows the terminal equipment of each group and the multiline cables 24A, 2.
Data link 18A, 1 joining data between 4B
Typical statistical multiplexer configuration with 8B 12A, 16
A, 12B and 16B are shown. Cable 24A
, 24B are passed through the intelligent switch 20, and the cable 22A
.

22B, respectively, totaling 1'1-tN Z
A or the interfaces 4A and 4B of the computer 2B, respectively. The computer interfaces 4A and 4B are typically connected to the respective host computers 2 via the mother@8A and 8B.
It is connected to A and 2B. By making all terminal connections go through one intelligent switch 20, the terminal device 60
The users at the location are 2 or 2B higher-ranking computers of their choice.
The operation manager acts on the operation control console 21 and controls the system load by controlling the line to a certain extent. Usually, the intelligent switch 20 is installed in a computer room separate from the terminal device.

The basic building blocks of this invention are shown in FIG. Several terminal devices 6 are connected to the asynchronous multiline adapter 30A via terminal ports 10. In Figure 4,
It is shown that a large number of asynchronous multiline adapters 30A, 30B and preferably eight multiline adapters for each node 26 can be connected. Node 26 can be configured with a programmable electronic switch, but is connected to a computer interface (
(shown as upper adapter 5 in FIG. 4).

Given that each asynchronous multiline adapter 30 preferably communicates with eight terminal boats 10, and that there are preferably eight asynchronous multiline adapters 30, in a typical system each node 2G has up to 64 can support terminal connections. Since the data transmission takes place via the high-speed composite link 28A, the node 26 is connected from the host adapter 5 to the
It can be placed up to a kilometer away.

Two such nodes 26 can be interconnected to one host adapter to support up to 128 terminals, or one ff526 can be interconnected to a separate high speed composite link 2.
It can be connected to two host adapters 5 via 8A and 28B.

Link interface 32A provides a data path between local communication bus 36 and high speed composite data transmission line 28A.

Optionally a second link interface 32
Adding B creates two additional high-speed composite links 44A,
44B can be used. Each of these can be connected to the second upper adapter or to the link interface of the second node. Clause 26 ili end control boat 40 and printer/change 0! Allows the instrumentation boat 42 to be on-line and to keep a hard copy record of all connections.

In the format shown in FIG. 4, each terminal user has access to at least two computers, and when making full use of the capabilities of the communication controller, ie, optional high-speed composite links 28B, 44A.

44B to additional remote host computers or other remote link interfaces of nodes 26, it has access to multiple remote computer systems.

The operator terminal control boat 40 allows the system manager to define and change the number of boats attached to each digital device and to provide on-line terminal equipment to each boat on a one-to-one basis, thus allowing the system manager to Dynamically control the number and type of users joining. By coupling multiline adapters to a common local communication bus 36, end users can "talk" to each other or to remote computing systems without having to be connected to the host computer 2. become. lk from upper adapter 5
By allowing it to be placed in any number of locations, the node 26 can be placed wherever logically necessary, i.e., in a telephone room, in a terminal gathering area, or in any other desirable location. , thus reducing the need for short-range modems, statistical multiplexers, and large amounts of cabling. As previously mentioned, the intelligent switch 20 of FIG. 3 must necessarily be located in the computer room away from the terminal area.

Optional high speed compound links 28B, 44A and/or 4
4B is interconnected to the link interface of an additional remote node 26, the two interconnected nodes are under the control of one supervisory device via one of the supervisory terminal control boats 40. In other words, it deals with a collection of terminal devices located in remote locations.

Monitoring terminal control ports) 4 (l) allow managers to dynamically configure and control lines. For example,
In the format shown in FIG. 4, the manager can reconfigure the line by assigning terminals to different boats. Polling the node, multi-line adapter 3
The form of 0 as well as its number can be dynamically determined. The status of any fault test diagnostic circuits in both the node and the host adapter can be tested. Finally, the manager can limit or disable boat and/or terminal connections to limit access to the system.

Another feature of this system is that the monitoring boat 40 is not in the data path, but is a standard R8232 boat and can therefore be controlled remotely from the appropriate support center or from any terminal in the system. That's true. however,
It is a requirement that at least one terminal/boat is permanently connected to the monitoring boat 40 and that the operating system used allows certain users of the terminal to communicate with other terminal devices. .

One of the major drawbacks with any system that converges a large number of lines is the magnitude of the problem caused by hardware failure. By providing the present invention with relational redundancy and unique supervisory control capabilities, the effects of hardware failures are minimized. Two high speed composite links 28A.

28B is available, two host adapters 5 in the computer 2 can be connected to one node 26. The two host adapters 5 can be used in one computer (thus providing redundancy in case one of the host adapters 5 breaks down), or they can be used in separate systems, so that if a computer breaks down, there is no need for unused users. It can provide redundancy.

If the data channel to the system becomes "stuck" (hanged up), the end user can be reassigned to another boat without the monitoring equipment dropping the r-line.

Any computer system that can be accessed from a remote terminal is susceptible to abuse, and most operating systems, even with secret word functionality, are susceptible to abuse.
Often not enough to thwart a clever computer thief. However, with the present invention, the operations manager can "lock out" terminal connections that are not in use by simply not allocating ports to terminal connections that are not in use through the control boat 40, thus allowing the system to make it even safer. In addition, the printer boat records any changes and requests for changes to the format, increasing the security of the system.

Link interface 32A establishes a particular type of signaling protocol to condition the signals to enable transmission and reception over high speed composite link 28A. Composite link 28A is 2′ in total! A bit-serial protocol-dependent interconnection scheme is used.

A supervisory and bus controller 34 scans and polls the devices within node 26 to perform switching functions for the communications controller. In contrast to the functionality of such an intelligent switch, the cost of the intelligent switch 20 shown in FIG. Because of its location and proximity to the local communications bus 36, it is able to perform functions that were previously not possible. Therefore, (second composite link 28B
Assuming that the terminal device 6 is connected to the second host adapter in the second host computer 2, the monitoring and bus control device 34 Register on , and choose which top calculator 2 you want.
However, access to it is 'J[. At this time, supervisory and bus controller 34 establishes the appropriate connection to the appropriate one of links 28A, 28B, and all transfers thereafter occur directly without intervention.

5 through 9 show the internal functions of the blocks shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows local communication bus 36 coupled to bus interface 50 at link interface 32A. The local communication bus interface 50 is
Between the parts in the node, i.e. the multi-line adapter 30. Provides a conduit for data and control signals necessary to transmit information between link interface 32 and supervisory and bus control unit 340. Storage device 52 is used to store and examine data messages and device status information, and to enable information to be sent between one point in the system and another. The control engine portion 54 includes on-module components for transporting internal and external environments of the node.
Performs timing control and data movement sequencing.

The sequencer 56 is connected via interconnect lines 55, 57 to the engine part, which is central to determining what work has to be done and in what priority order it should be done in a given direction. supply information;

The synchronization ports 58A and 58B serve as communication paths between the link interface 32A and the upper adapter 5, or between the link interface 32A and the extension node 26 (not shown). The two synchronous ports 58A, 58B are data transport devices for the high speed composite link 28A.

Routing for control within link interface 3.2A is shown coupled to internal modules via control line 60, whereas data is coupled to data bus 62. Although control line 6o is shown as a single line in FIGS. 5-8, it should be understood that there may be multiple control lines. The reason why one line is used is to distinguish the control line from the data line, which is normally represented by two lines.

The host adapter 5 shown in FIG. 6 includes a synchronous boat 64A which acts similarly to the synchronous boat 58A, and a control engine which acts comparable to the control engine section 54 and sequencer 56 shown in FIG. Portion 68 and orderer T
I have an O. Control of the sequencer is via lines 82.84. Embroidery 84d, bus control emulation/
It is coupled to engine 72 . The emulation engine 72 characterizes the host adapter 5 so that it identifies the host processor as a particular type of product device. This consists of a control register that communicates with the host computer and a data path between the host computer and the host adapter. In this connection, busbar 88 and control ff&8
The busbar interface 14 receiving 6 is the electrical interconnection to the upper peripheral busbar 3.

A storage device 66, under control via line 78 from control engine portion 68, holds data for &)76.80.

Each 8-point asynchronous multiline adapter 30A (FIG. 7) is configured similarly to link interface 32A, but with two synchronous bauds (5 mA).

The difference is that there are eight asynchronous ports (78A to 78H) instead of 58B. Having the same functionality as in FIG. 5, each multiline adapter has a busbar interface 70. Storage device 72. Control engine part 74° sequencer 76, interconnection f17 between sequencer 76 and control engine part 4
5.77 and control I! iFi! It has an aO and data line 82. Asynchronous ports 78A to 78H
is coupled to the user terminal device 6 via a separate terminal port 0.

The monitoring and busbar control unit M34 shown in FIG. 8 is configured similarly to the link interface shown in FIG. 9BBK! At the same time, the engine control section 54 and sequencer 56 are replaced by a microcomputer 94. Bus interface 90 and storage 92 with interconnected control lines 100 and data lines 102 to functional blocks within supervisory and bus control unit 34 function similarly, but with data from asynchronous supervisory console port 98A. The difference is that the lines convey routing information.

Asynchronous monitoring console port 98A inputs routing information for the module from terminal control port 40.

Printer port 42 allows a hard copy list of routing information to be obtained via asynchronous printer port 98B. Storage facility 92 receives routing information from the supervisory console port and the microcomputer. In this regard, the microcomputer interacts with routing tables located in the supervisory terminal and storage.

FIG. 9, like FIG. 4, shows a communication control device that can be connected between a number of user digital devices and a remote digital processing device 2. In FIG. This diagram illustrates the wide application of the invention; the basic idea is that the communication control device can communicate with any protocol between digital devices, whether synchronous, asynchronous, serial, or parallel. It is the transmission of messages characterized by Under the control of the monitoring and bus control device 34, any input port 38A,
The message arriving at B is sent via node 26 to digital processing device adapter 5. This adapter is connected to a remote digital processing device 2 via a busbar 3. Link 28A, B or 44A.

The communication protocol in B is unique to this invention. This is because the connection with the outside world is electronically isolated by the adapters 3o and 5. Electronically connecting one interrogated port to another attached port in a dynamically defined manner, either by scheduled mapping programming or upon request.
This is the effect of the device shown in the figure. The transfer of information within this invention need not be considered limited to a two-way connection between port 38 and mother a3. As explained later,
Data messages from user digital device 6 are routed via multi-M line adapter 38A to link interface 32A, via data link 28A to adapter 5, and via bus 3 to remote digital device M2.
You can send it to Alternatively, if desired, incoming messages from one user digital device 6 may be routed to another input port 38A, B, and from there to a second (or more) user digital device 6. I can send it. Connections of the type described later are used when one personal computer wishes to communicate with another, for example when the previous connection was between a keyboard terminal and one or more main computers ( e-mail,
Useful for inter-office electronic memos/files, etc.).

Even in small configurations, it is not uncommon to see circuits for computers and/or input/output devices and terminal equipment - these small systems are interconnected by short lengths of cable and may be located in the same room or separated by hundreds of feet. Good signal transmission is possible between devices in the room. However, as the configuration becomes larger and the computer system becomes larger, it becomes necessary to completely reorganize the management of small configurations in order to improve the operating efficiency of the larger configuration.
It is not surprising that computer systems must undergo similar reconfigurations in connection with their growth. That is, a larger scale computer system for an expanding configuration with more and more users and an increasing number of users is
Such demands cannot be met simply by expanding the input/output ports, the size of storage devices, the number of terminal devices, etc. In contrast, extending an artillery system beyond its limits imposes a completely different set of requirements on the system, creating a number of retrospective interconnect communication problems for the system design engineer. As the main computer, terminal equipment, and other equipment move further apart (up to 1 km and beyond), noise pickup, ground loop signal degradation,
Also, from a practical point of view, the amount of cable required renders standard cable interconnection schemes useless.

When passing a small number of lines from one device to another device within the same room, a relatively inexpensive multiline cable can provide adequate interconnection.

An intelligent switch can be installed to allow communication along the path of several pieces of equipment in the same room. Again, the total line length of the interconnect cables may not matter.

For large numbers (eg, 64 or more) of lines and/or long interconnections between several devices up to about 1 km in length, the problems addressed by this invention begin to occur. First, short-distance modems and statistical multiplexers began to appear in virtually every localized area, and in large computer systems, large numbers of modems and statistical multiplexers were "patch-ed". I have a view. That is, using modems and statistical multiplexers may treat the symptoms, but it will not cure the disease. The need to split each line connected to the equipment actually increases the number of cables and more than doubles the number of connection points, thus increasing the failure rate of the interconnecting equipment. As this increases, reliability decreases, which also results in longer system downtime. Additionally, incorporating redundancy into the system exacerbates this problem. Of course, these factors are in addition to obvious factors such as the high cost of line driving/receiving peripherals.

Intelligent switches are used that allow a limited number of communication paths to be selected between devices for interconnection by some intelligent terminal control, but these are limited to the number of lines used in large systems. Doesn't help reduce numbers. Although the advent of local area circuits has increased the pressure to reduce the number of lines within a system, such devices suffer from other drawbacks, as will be discussed below.

10-12, one can clearly see the impact that the present invention has on it N m systems of intermediate complexity. FIG. 10 shows the "before" line format, FIG. 11 shows an idealized and simplified functional use of the invention, and FIG. 12 shows the "after" version of the digital device line of FIG. Indicates the format.

Figure 10 shows separate areas 207 in a large computer system.
2 shows a conventional interconnection scheme of parts with local geographical locations designated as A to 201; The devices in each box 207X are assigned short pressure sections to each other. For example, in the same room. The separate geographic locations 207A-I are separated by a distance of one kilometer or more.

This is the main computer 201A, 201B and 201
This is a case where C is located in a campus-shaped building of a large company with a different structure. Similarly, a multiline asynchronous device is shown at 203 in FIG. This figure shows an intelligent control terminal 234 located in the same geographic area as the multiline desynchronizer 203. Furthermore, the 10th
The illustrated system has the character of a local area line, with location 1207I included in intelligent control terminal 234' and shown separate from all other areas. User terminals [2o7E-I] represent typical personal computers or user terminals, each located at a long distance from its neighbor. However, user terminals 286 and 288 are shown to be located within the same geographic area 201G.

The complex interconnection scheme of FIG. 10 represents the prior art prior to this invention. As mentioned earlier, this system meets two important requirements for large computer systems: the ability to communicate between devices over long distances, and the use of intelligent switch 240 to Functionally serves to satisfy the need to communicate with more than one destination.

However, using such a complex 7-stem system requires a total of Km within a room (one or more host computers 201A-C
In addition to the previously mentioned large number of tracks, both the stable 207I (which houses the intelligent switch 240) and the stable 207I in which the intelligent switch 240 is located, there are various disadvantages. These drawbacks will be discussed after a brief description of the operation and limitations of the apparatus shown in FIG.

Each host computer 201A-C, which may be an IBM computer, a Digital Equipment Corporation VAX machine, or any other computer (X brand), is referred to as a front end 200A-C. I have something to gain.

As the winner is aware, the front end is the part that communicates with the processing unit bus lines 205A-C of the total n machines, and this 'lN) line is the computer interface 204.2.
It communicates with a series of input/output boats called 10, 216, etc.

The IBM machine interface 206 connects a plurality of short distance modulators 24 to which a plurality of asynchronous lines 222 correspond.
8. Corresponding output lines 250 of these modems exit local area 207A.

At the local area line location 207I, the receiving multiplex modem 25B converts the same number of input lines to standard non-quaternary single computer lines that enter baud 81 of the intelligent switch 240. Of course, modems 248, 258 are necessary for transmitting over long distances between discrete local areas 201A and 207I.

As an alternative to large numbers of expensive, short distance modems, IB
Asynchronous line 22 from M computer interface 208
A statistical multiplexer 246 shown for combining 4 to 4 can be used. In this example, the output of statistical multiplexer 246 is coupled to modem 243 via one short line 252 and a long line 254 enters modem 244 in local area 207I. The output of the modem 244 is connected to the line 256
is applied to the baud) 82 of the intelligent switch 243.

The reason why modulators 243 and 244 are used is that the string multiplexer 246 cannot drive long lines. The attached device of the long line can be used in the statistical multiplexer consisting of the string reference multiplexer 2 in Fig. 10.
62 is exemplified.

This multiplexer or built-in line driver (not shown)
The long line 264 is driven by. A receiving statistical multiplexer 260 converts the information on one line 264 back to multiple asynchronous lines 266 and applies it to the baud 85 of the intelligent switch 240.

The upper computer 201B can be connected to the system in the same way as the computer 201A, or by any other known communication method. However, even if this is not the case, the drawing in FIG. 10 is already complicated, so in order to avoid further complication, the asynchronous line is removed. The upper 1iIW-machine 201C merely shows another example of a long line statistical multiplexer, in which the multiplexer 273.277 is connected to a long line 275.
It shows that they are interconnected by tapping. One information line 275 is converted into an asynchronous line 279 by a multiplexer 277.
and is applied to the baud) 83 of the intelligent switch 240.

Multiline asynchronous device 203 may be any of a variety of digital devices that output multiple asynchronous lines, shown in FIG. 10 as a pair of multiline cables 230, 232. Multiplexer 2T4゜modulator/demodulator 25T, long line 2
T2. Baud of modem 251 and intelligent switch 240)
A line 210 connected to 84 supplements the signal path from IBM fraudster interface 208 to port S2 of intelligent switch 240. Similarly, the intelligent control terminal device 234
Using a statistical multiplexer 255 that can drive a long line 236 without the aid of a modem, the multiplexer 253 transfers the asynchronous multiline signal to the control board of the intelligent switch 240.
to be applied. If desired and also applicable to the system, cables 230, 232 can be synchronous lines.

User personal computers 276 and 280 use modulators 261, 263 and 265, 267, respectively, to obtain +1j! It communicates with primary port P of intelligent switch 240 via lines 278C and 282C.

Multi-line cable 28 of user terminal equipment 286,288
4A, 290A are connected to multiplexer 281, which communicates with multiplexer 269 via line 284B.

Multiplexer 269 is connected to primary port P of intelligent switch 240 via lines 284C and 290B. A user terminal 292 is coupled to the main port P by a standard modem transmission.

The number of possible alternatives for any computer system is extremely large, as evidenced by the annoyingly large number of communication lines in Figure 10, so the communication between the boxes in Figure 10 is Draw a line to represent the channel. However, please note that all lines are future bidirectional signal lines. Furthermore, although communication lines between devices may be asynchronous or synchronous, for convenience in describing this invention it will be assumed that all lines controlled by intelligent switch 240 are asynchronous. However, the present invention is not limited by the selection of examples described below.

Regarding the general problem of enabling long distance communication between devices, the conventional arrangement shown in FIG. 10 accomplishes this objective. However, as can be readily seen, the need for multiple body interfaces and associated multi-line cable harnesses is a hassle for the installation personnel. This installation effort is geometrically proportional to the number of lines to be installed. The same is true for local area 207I where all cables must be interconnected for intelligent boat switching by switch 240. In this regard, one significant limitation of the system of FIG. However, the secondary boats S1-S5 cannot be interconnected to communicate with each other.

Another disadvantage of the system of FIG. 10 can be seen in view of the limitations of the statistical multiplexer on time division of signals along the signal line. Typically, statistical multiplexers operate at an information rate of 9,600 baud, which is comparable to the power of the device itself, so some inputs to the statistical multiplexer are Multiplexing in time means
This will inevitably reduce data communication speed. For this reason,
Multiplexer throughput constraints pose a practical limit to system expansion, even though hardware and cable problems can be overcome.

This invention is the main body! By eliminating multiline interconnects in the InIn interface and eliminating the need for statistical multiplexers and short distance modems when communicating signals over long lines, FIG. This solves all the drawbacks mentioned above for the conventional configuration shown in FIG. Furthermore,
By sending signals more directly and using high speed transmission lines over long distances, the overall data transmission rate of the system is not appreciably compromised.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified functional configuration of the present invention, illustrating the manner in which it solves the problems associated with conventional interconnect lines. Boxes 302 through 346 in FIG. 11 may be any digital devices A, -W, and these lines, indicated generally by the numeral 350, may be of the synchronous or asynchronous type and may be computer interface lines. It can be any commonly encountered protocol. The present invention is directed to the form and operation of individual sections I-H, shown as blocks 26A-C in FIG. Typically one clause is the tenth
It relates to the geographical location of each local area, shown as locations 207A through 207■ in the figure.

Because devices within each geographic location 207 are interconnected with nodes proximate to this location, and all nodes are interconnected by high-speed transmission lines 352, 353, any device throughout the system can It is possible to communicate with any other device throughout the system by passing that information through the associated node to the node attached to the device with which it wants to communicate. Note that there is no typical intelligence switch and there are no constraints on it. That is, in the configuration of this invention, the primary and secondary
There is no distinction between next ports, and any signal information mapping can be devised so that any device can communicate with any other device in the system. Of course, the protocols of the two devices communicating with each other must be the same. However, as far as the transmission of signals through the system is concerned, the protocol of the signals being transferred is not confirmed by the individual clauses or does not affect their operation.

Furthermore, unlike the conventional configuration of FIG. 10, the system of FIG. 11 does not use a statistical multiplexer or short range modem. Interconnect line 350 may represent a single transmission line, or it may represent a cable consisting of multiple synchronous or asynchronous lines. long distance nk
For each digital device 302-346 that communicates with nodes 26A-C via (on the order of 1 km) the device (
A host) adapter 5 (FIG. 4) is connected to the digital device at that geographical location, and the digital adapter communicates with the corresponding node via a high speed composite link 28. Line control is performed by communication line controller 300 via cable 370. Line 350 is typically a short line, typically less than 30 meters sb, interconnecting the associated node with equipment within the same local area as the node.

While FIG. 11 illustrates the idea of the present invention, FIG. 12 incorporates the idea of the invention and shows the configuration of the system in a form similar to that of FIG. 10.

In FIG. 12, main computers 401A-C of the host computers are located at positions 408G, F, and E4C, respectively.As before, each main computer is equipped with front ends 40A-C, and as described above, each main computer has a processing unit. It is communicatively connected to buses 405A-C. By providing the host adapters 402A-C, a structural difference becomes apparent.

The communication interfaces 204-220 in FIG. 10 can be called "upper adapters" if the term is viewed in a broader sense. However, in contrast to conventional communication ink-faces that convert between a processor bus and multiple asynchronous communication lines, the host adapters 402A-C of the present invention convert between a processor bus and multiple asynchronous communication lines.
high speed composite links 407A-C. One of the main drawbacks of traditional communication distribution lines has been eliminated, namely:
It is readily apparent that the need for multiple lines and internal communication interfaces within the computer room is eliminated.

Upper adapters 402A-C typically operate asynchronously and directly with processing unit buses 405A-C, while high speed composite transmission links 407A-C operate synchronously with link interfaces 32A-C at node 26cmE. do.

As previously mentioned, each link interface 32
communicates with its node 26 via local communication bus 36. Each node 26C-E has a supervisory and bus control device for controlling the transmission of data for the node in which it is located! I have 34-A-C. Master monitoring and bus control system f! , 34D are located within node 26F and are coupled to communication line controller 434. The master monitoring device 34D is the monitoring device 3
Same as 4A-C, but with pine for the entire system
It is programmed to make all ping decisions.

In contrast, separate monitoring blocks for individual clauses
Controls data on its own local communications bus.

A number of line adapters 30A-F are coupled to local communication buses 36A-C of each node 260-E. Each of these line adapters is connected via 8478.462 with a relatively short, asynchronous, multi-line connection to user equipment, such as the user's personal computer 476.480. Similarly, user terminals 486 and 488 are asynchronously coupled to four asynchronous lines to line adapter 30 via lines 484 and 490, respectively.

Therefore, by using the three clauses 26C-E, the number of lines within the computer room is greatly reduced, but between the computers,
It will be appreciated that communication can occur between any computer and any user device, as well as between user devices, via long transmission lines between local areas 408A-H. User computers and terminal equipment are coupled to the nodes via short asynchronous lines, but there is no detrimental effect. This is because each user device is close to an associated node within the corresponding local area 408. The transmission of data in the system described so far is accomplished via one link interface 32 or by being coupled from one link interface to another and then to its final destination. , is performed between the user device and the main computer.

Although FIG. 12 shows six interconnected link interfaces 32A-F, there is no theoretical limit to the number of link interfaces that can be connected together; It is a matter of system design.

As explained above, - The system in Figure 12 shows a single transmission line between the main computer and the node9, which fans out to numerous asynchronous lines leading to the user's computer/terminal. There is. Positions W 408D and 4081■ illustrate the reverse case where user terminal 492 communicates with link interface 32D of node 26F via synchronous data link 28D. At this time, line adapter 30G at node 26F.

30H are coupled to multiline desynchronizer 403 via short lines 430, 432, respectively. Asynchronous device 403
Note that the example of using terminal device 492 as the corresponding device is entirely arbitrary.

Any other device can be mapped to communicate with device 403. For example, user terminal device 476 may include link adapters 32A, B, E, and C.

Via the interconnect between F and D, it can be mapped to device 403 and no additional hardware is required for this purpose. Such "reverse" connections demonstrate the great flexibility of the system of the present invention, and the determination of the connection points for the nodes is determined by the number of ports available for coupling each data line. It's just a matter of choosing one.

Of course, if more asynchronous lines than the 16 shown in FIG. 12 are required for each node 26, additional line adapters 30 can be easily added. This is because the system itself can be easily expanded by using local communication buses 36 for each node.

Another example of extending a basic clause is found in clauses 26D and 26E. A convenient practical design for the node is to provide a link interface with connections to two high speed composite data link ports and one connection to local communications bus 36.

However, if required, a second link interface (
It is easy to add another circuit board (another circuit board) to node 26D to provide a pair of link interfaces 32B, 32E. The former is connected to two high speed data links 28A, 407B, and the latter is connected to one data link 28B and communicates with data link 32C of node 26g. In this format, m26E also has two link interfaces 32c.

It has 32F, but its purpose is different. Interface 32C functions similarly to interface 32B, but
The link interface 32F' not only communicates with another link interface 32D, but is also coupled to the host adapter 402C via a long data link 407D, providing redundancy to the computer 401c. In other words, one pair of data is sent to the host adapter 402C.
By providing a link, section 26F to calculator 401
If one transmission line to C fails, the other link interface
Under the control of C and taking its action, computer 401C
Keep online. The additional hardware required to provide sufficient redundancy between node 26E and computer 401C is compared to the potentially daunting task of providing redundancy to the same computer 201C in FIG. Very few.

It is clear that the case of FIG. 10 would be extremely costly and would lead to significant confusion in the cable maze.

This was not possible with the conventional configuration, but with this invention, the user's personal computer 476 and the asynchronous line 41
8. Line adapter 30A, bus bar 36A.

Link interface 32A, high-speed composite transmission line 2
8A, link interface 32B.

It will be appreciated that the communication path of local communication bus 36B, line adapter 30C and asynchronous line 482 allows for direct communication with another user's personal computer 480. Assuming that the monitoring equipment has preset the communication path between these two users, a long transmission line (1
direct communication between the two computers is also possible via a transmission line between the two link interfaces 32A, 32B. This data path can be used without affecting the υ connected to the main computer or its communication path, and furthermore, it can be used without the need for complex intelligent switches, without the need for extra modems, and for statistical purposes. Note that this is possible without slowing down due to the multiplexing process of the multiplexer.

As previously mentioned, one supervisory and bus control block 34D
is selected and programmed as the primary monitor, and all other monitors 34A-C are secondary. The master monitoring device 34D is predetermined when the system is assembled/initialized.

However, when the master monitoring device is unable to perform its function, any one other monitoring device (also preconfigured) can take over the function of the primary monitoring device. As a result, a portion of the system (multiline desynchronizer 403
) can be removed from the system, but the rest of the system remains in place. For example, if the monitoring device 34C is selected as the second priority and the monitoring device 34D fails,
It is possible to take over the functions of the entire system. Via link interfaces 32F and 32D, user terminals 492 and asynchronous devices 403 can also continue to function without the aid of monitoring device 34D. For this reason,
Through the use of multiple link interface 32 and supervisory programming, a significant amount of redundancy can be built into the system without the use of large amounts of hardware.

Referring to FIG. 13, there is a unique address associated with each device that makes up the system. In this sense, devices are defined as main computers, asynchronous devices, personal computers, user terminal devices 9 communication line controllers 5, and any other digital devices that can be added to a typical computer system. As far as upper-level dividers are concerned, and more precisely, upper-level adapters 402A-C are devices to which specific device addresses are associated, rather than computers themselves. Although I do not intend to limit it, a typical system is 3
It is possible to have two different device addresses.

Since the ni calculator's software determines the number of lines for a particular device with which it wishes to communicate, it is preferable to choose between the software-verifiable apparent line addresses for each device. As an example, a total of 4 machines, 4 and 6, send a request for communication with the host computer 401C to the line adapter 30A.
, and after an inquiry by the monitoring device 34A,
A determination is made by monitoring device 34A that the data path through high speed data link 28A should continue.

This is because the device number in the message sent to line adapter 30A is not the number of host adapter 402A (to which node 26C is directly connected), or the asynchronous 1iliiP3 connected to line adapters 30A and 30B.
This is the result of confirming that it is not the number of any device connected to. Upon reaching link interface 32B, the data is transferred to local bus 36B and similar decisions are made by monitoring device 34B with similar results. That is, the appropriate data link 28B will further convey this message to link interface 32C. Similarly, monitoring device 34C verifies that the device number is the one for which it is providing the routing information;
This data is coupled to high speed composite line 407C (or alternatively 4G70 in redundant fashion) to arrive at host adapter 402C with the correct device number address. The message communicated to the host adapter 402C also carries an apparent line address, which is used to send this information to the appropriate location within the host computer 401C.

The message address unit in FIG. 13 consists of a protocol envelope. For example, HDLC, message number and line message number. All of these are based on a common message format. A line message packet consists of a number of structural parts. Box number (
1 byte) serves as the identifier of the box (digital device) to which the message is being sent. Upper and lower (
The 2-byte address allows for multiple addresses identifying the desired line (actual or apparent) number at that destination. Next, one byte is allocated for the type of message to be sent, control action 9 diagnostic function or data function. The control function message can set the desired map coordinates, or simply pass the message to another device. The diagnostic function is a diagnostic test for the receiving device (
system tests), diagnostic tests (self-tests) on the transmitter, or any of a number of known diagnostic routines. Of course, the data function is the actual message structure.

When a message packet arrives at the supervisory and bus controller 34, it is first checked to determine whether the box receiving it has the correct destination address. If not, the supervisory and bus controller 340 action is to pass the message to its proper destination.

Assuming that the box is to receive this message, the message is placed into storage 92 by microcomputer 94. The microcomputer also determines what kind of configuration of control 9 diagnostics or data this message has and responds accordingly. The supervisory and bus controller 34 monitors this message and determines whether the message is good or bad.
It also determines whether the connection is unavailable, whether the destination device takes too long to respond, or whether the user is not following the rules of the protocol, and follows the rules predetermined during system initialization. Take alternative measures.

Messages sent over the lines interconnecting the link interfaces need not be asynchronous. This may be synchronous or X,25; the link interface electronics and other blocks of the node are unaffected by the difference. The overall function of each node is to ensure that a message is to be sent to a particular location, then select the appropriate route under supervisory control, and transmit the received information.

The underlying idea of this invention remains the same whether the form of connection changes from asynchronous to synchronous (or vice versa) or from series to parallel (or vice versa), but of course the hardware is compatible. It has to be something.

As can be seen from the foregoing description, the present invention provides an improved computer that has sufficient functional flexibility to solve various computer/terminal interface problems with substantial savings. / By providing a terminal communication control device, the objective stated at the beginning of the specification is achieved. This line of invention has been demonstrated to reduce or eliminate manual batching due to its unique supervisory control capabilities. Since node 26 can be located at a remote location, less computer room space is required. It is clear that the wiring between the telephone room/terminal cluster and the computing room is significantly reduced, and the short distance modems normally required to connect the terminal equipment to the computer room are substantially reduced or It disappears. By tailoring each functional component to the specific task described in
General-purpose shelved parts are eliminated, resulting in lower computer power, space, and bus load. By improving the access of terminal devices to the computer system, it is possible to easily improve work efficiency. Furthermore, better up-time due to the design of redundant functions is an inherent feature of this system.

The basic idea of this invention is to provide an apparatus for transmitting digital messages over lines that interconnect digital devices, without imposing the usual constraints on the placement of communication channels or the direction of data transfer, Provides users with an almost inexhaustible matrix of interconnections to equipment. Data integrity is maintained by the data link over long distances, and redundancy can be achieved at a fraction of the cost.

This invention should not be equated with local area lines for the reasons stated above. Having provided a detailed description of the invention, other disadvantages of local area lines will become apparent. Rather than being a line suitable for a total of n machines, a local area line requires that the computer on which it is installed have software that is compatible with the line's requirements. If the vendor of the device does not provide software that is compatible with the line, the user cannot have a transparent mechanism for the software.

To this end, the present invention provides a relatively simple, cost effective, and software transparent method for interconnecting a medium to large number of digital devices into a communication line.

Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims that follow.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 shows the conventional simple form of a high-level machine with a typical terminal connection to a computer interface; Figure 2 shows the addition of a statistical multiplexer to remotely connect a collection of terminals. Figure 3 shows a conventional configuration of a typical intelligent switch for communicating between separate groups of terminal devices and separate host computers. 4 are functional block diagrams of the communication control device of the present invention, in which a plurality of terminal devices and an upper needle 7v are shown.
, shows a node that is connected to a host adapter on board, and the adapter is separated from the node by a high-speed composite link. Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the link interface shown in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal operation of the host adapter shown in Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 is a function of the asynchronous multi-line adapter shown in Fig. 4. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the monitoring and bus control device of FIG. 4, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram similar to FIG. FIG. 10 shows a known statistical multiplexer. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a conventional computer interconnection scheme using intelligent switches and short distance modems; FIG. Figure 12 is a diagram showing the same system as shown in Figure 10 but interconnected using the ideas of the invention instead of interconnection using known devices; Figure 13; is a diagram showing the format of a message unit used in connection with this invention. (Explanation of the king code) 20...Intelligence switch, 26...Section, 28A, 28
B... High-speed composite link, 32... Link interface, 40... Monitoring terminal control boat, 50...
Busbar interface. ■551292 0 Inventor Leslie J.A. Unilinton 18391 Villa Park Adams Ranch Road, California 92667 0 Inventor Uniin Earl Dieter 6 Elkton P. O. Box 162 Route 3, Oregon 9743, United States 0 Inventor Larry Dee Starnaman San Chuan Capistrano Calle Bonita, California 92675, United States of America 22 72 Proceedings Phase 1 Official (self-motivated) 1. Indication of Case 1980 Patent Application No. 47284) 2 , Name of the invention In-control device 3, Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment Patent applicant name Aple Computer 4, Agent 2-2-21-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107, Subject of amendment

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) In a communication control device that interconnects a plurality of digital devices in a digital data communication circuit, a local communication bus that passes digital data and control signals within the control device; at least one digital data line adapter for transmitting and receiving digital data to and from a corresponding line port coupled to a respective user digital device; and means for selectively applying said digital data to said local communication bus; a high speed data composite transmission link for transmitting and receiving data between a control device and a remote digital data processing device; and a high speed data composite transmission link at the local end of the composite data link between the local communication bus and the composite transmission link. link interface means for creating a communication path; and a digital link at the remote end of the composite transmission link for communicating data between the high speed composite transmission link and the processor bus of the digital data processing device. a communications control device comprising a data processing device interface adapter and monitoring and bus control means for controlling the source and destination routing of data on the local communications bus between the line adapter and the link interface means; . 2. In the communication control device according to claim 1), each line adapter is asynchronous. 3) In the communication control device according to claim 1), each line adapter is of a synchronous type. 4) The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the high-speed data composite transmission line is a full-duplex bit-serial protocol-dependent interconnect. 5) In the communication control device according to claim 1), the monitoring and busbar control means includes first and second asynchronous ports, and the first port has the function of a terminal operator control boat. , said second port having the function of a printer output port for generating a hard copy of said source and destination routing control data. 6) In the communication control device according to claim 2), the plurality of asynchronous line adapters are configured into one asynchronous multiline adapter device, and the multiline adapter device is configured to include the plurality of asynchronous line adapters. A communication control device comprising an asynchronous line adapter and means for applying input data to the local communication bus. 7) The communication control device according to claim 6) has additional asynchronous multiline adapter devices, and each additional multiline adapter device connects another plurality of asynchronous line adapters and the A communications control device including further means for applying input data from another asynchronous line adapter to said local communications bus. 8) A communication control device according to claim 4, including a second high-speed data composite transmission line, and a remote control device at a remote end of the control device and the second composite transmission line. transmitting and receiving data between the digital devices;
a remote digital device interface adapter is provided at the remote end of the composite transmission line, the second
A communication control device that communicates data between a high-speed composite transmission line and a data bus line of a remote digital device. 9) The communication control device according to claim 8), wherein the remote digital device is a link interface means of a similar communication control device. 10) The communication control device according to claim 4, further comprising: at least one additional high-speed data composite transmission line for transmitting and receiving data between the control device and a remote user digital device; a second link interface means, which is located at a local end of a composite transmission line and serves as a communication path between the local communication bus and the second composite transmission line. 11) The communication control unit according to claim 4) stores data to be transmitted along the high-speed data composite transmission line, and stores and sends the data along the composite transmission line. A communication control device including a digital processing device having a sending means. 12) at least one digital computer having at least one user digital device and an associated processor bus;
In a communication control device that interconnects a plurality of digital devices to a digital data communication line, including a data processing device, the user digital device is asynchronously connected to the user digital device.
programmable electronic switch means connected asynchronously to a processor mother n of said digital data processing apparatus and synchronously connected to said data link; A communication control device comprising a host adapter to be connected, and means in the switch means for controlling selection of route designation and dynamically reconfiguring connections within the switch means. 13) The communication control device according to claim 9, wherein the data processing device is a digital computing device. 14) In the communication control device according to claim 11), the storage and transmission means stores data to be transmitted, and also converts the data into the composite data under the control of the monitoring and bus control means. A communication control device having circuit means for sending along a transmission line. 15) In a communication control device that interconnects a plurality of digital devices to a digital data communication line, a local communication bus that sends digital data and control signals within the control device, and a local communication bus that sends digital data and control signals to each user digital device. at least one digital data line adapter for transmitting and receiving digital data with a coupled corresponding line port;
means for selectively applying said digital data to said local communication bus; a high speed data complex transmission link for transmitting and receiving data between said controller and a remote digital data processing device; and a local side of said complex transmission link. link interface means at the end of the local communication bus and serving as a communication path between the local communication bus and the composite transmission link; and a source of data on the local communication bus between the line adapter and the link interface means; and a monitoring and busbar control means for controlling destination routing.