Multiplex communications – Communication techniques for information carried in plural... – Adaptive
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-07
2001-11-20
Olms, Douglas (Department: 2732)
Multiplex communications
Communication techniques for information carried in plural...
Adaptive
C370S401000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06320874
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This patent application may be related to the following commonly-owned U.S. patent applications:
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/167,916 entitled CONNECTION ESTABLISHMENT AND TERMINATION IN A MIXED PROTOCOL NETWORK, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,676 filed on even date herewith, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/167,950 entitled ERROR RECOVERY IN A MIXED PROTOCOL NETWORK, filed on even date herewith, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/167,746 entitled EFFICIENT RECOVERY OF MULTIPLE CONNECTIONS IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK, filed on even date herewith, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/167,811 entitled TRANSLATOR MEMORY MANAGEMENT SYS, filed on even date herewith, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to data communication networks, and, more particularly, to connection control in a mixed protocol network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In today's information age, data communication networks are becoming ever more pervasive as an ever-increasing number of communication consumers require access to on-line computer resources. To that end, many data communication networks are evolving to meet the needs of these communication consumers. As these data communication networks evolve, it often becomes necessary to combine or integrate network segments that support different communication protocols.
The most common problem that arises when integrating or combining network segments that utilize different protocols is that the devices on one network segment using a first communication protocol do not communicate with the devices on another network segment using a second communication protocol. One solution is to convert or replace devices so that all devices utilize a common communication protocol. Unfortunately, this is often expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive to the network users. Furthermore, such conversion or replacement often requires that end-user applications be changed, which can further complicate the integration process and force end-users to learn new applications. Thus, a need has remained for a translation function that allows the devices utilizing the first communication protocol to communicate with the devices using the second communication protocol.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method, translating apparatus, apparatus comprising a computer readable medium, and system for establishing an end-to-end connection in a mixed protocol communication network includes a translation function that communicates with a first device using a first communication protocol and a second device using a second communication protocol. In order to establish an end-to-end connection, the translation function receives a first control message from the second device initiating a connection between the second device and the translation function, completes a connection establishment procedure with the second device, receives a first data message from the second device, and transmits a second data message to the first device.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first communication protocol is an X.25 protocol. In such a preferred embodiment, transmitting the second data message to the first device involves transmitting an X.25 data packet to the first device.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second communication protocol is a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). In such a preferred embodiment, receiving the first control message from the second device initiating a connection between the second device and the translation function involves receiving a TCP SYN message from the second device. Also in such a preferred embodiment, completing the connection establishment procedure with the second device involves transmitting a TCP SYN message to the second device and receiving a TCP SYN/ACK message from the second device. Receiving the first data message from the second device involves receiving a TCP data segment from the second device.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method, translating apparatus, apparatus comprising a computer readable medium, and system for terminating an end-to-end connection in a mixed protocol communication network includes a translation function that communicates with a first device using a first communication protocol and a second device using a second communication protocol. In order to terminate an end-to-end connection, the translation function receives a first control message from the second device terminating the connection between the second device and the translation function, completes a link reset procedure with the first device, and then completes a connection termination procedure with the second device.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first communication protocol is an X.25 protocol. In such a preferred embodiment, completing the link reset procedure with the first device involves transmitting an X.25 reset message to the first device and receiving an X.25 confirm message from the first device.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second communication protocol is a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). In such a preferred embodiment, receiving the first control message from the second device terminating the connection between the second device and the translation function involves receiving a TCP FIN message from the second device. Also in such a preferred embodiment, completing the connection termination procedure with the second device involves transmitting a TCP FIN message to the second device and receiving a TCP FIN/ACK message from the second device.
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“TCP Connection Establishment and Termination,” TCP/IP Illustrated, vol. I, W. Richard Stevens, Dec. 1994, pp. 229-234.
Betsinger Donald F.
Crump Richard
Leary Mark F.
Shieh Shuching
Wong Ellis L.
Bromberg & Sunstein LLP
Nortel Networks Limited
Olms Douglas
Vanderpuye Ken
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