Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Through a circuit switch
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-01
2001-01-30
Kizou, Hassan (Department: 2738)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Through a circuit switch
C370S398000, C370S422000, C379S242000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181696
ABSTRACT:
FIELD
The present invention relates to a network switching system for controlling analog and digital switches utilizing an architecture that allows control by a client through a central network controller to one or more switch controllers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling network switches which is independent of the type and manufacture of the switch.
BACKGROUND
Various types of networks involving switches are in common use such as public and private telephone networks, local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN). LAN and WAN networks are digital and generally use asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) signals whereas telephone networks typically use analogue or synchronous digital signals (SONET). In ATM systems, the transmitted signals themselves carry the information that defines the destination of its payload. Similarly, in telephone systems, either analogue multitone signals define the number being called which is used to set up the connection or, for digital lines, coded frames of data are transmitted synchronously to define the desired connection. In other networks, such as token ring systems, data is passed around sequentially from one station to the next until the header information in that cell is recognized. In telephone networks, a host of central offices control communications with groups of subscribers either on analog lines or digital lines. Transmissions can take place between subscribers under the control of the same central office or between subscribers controlled by different central offices.
Broadband telecommunications networks involve networks containing hardware switches of various types and, for a given type, of various manufacturers. Such a network could contain frame, ATM and/or baseband analogue switches. For example, the switches in one city could be primarily analogue switches while those in another city could contain ATM switches or a mixture of ATM and analogue switches. In addition, the ATM switches could be made by various manufacturers as could the analogue switches. In general switches of one manufacturer are controlled differently by different protocols from those of other manufacturers and, in addition, could be configured differently. In order to set up a call the switch controller would have to know the protocol for each of the different switches involved. Moreover, if a given switch were changed to a switch of a different manufacturer, the protocol for that switch and its configuration, i.e. by a serial port or parallel ports, would have to be changed. Obviously, such a system is complex and inefficient.
In order for a call from one location to be connected to another location the system must be able to control each different make and type of switch in the path.
Obviously, there is a need for a simpler, switch independent method of setting up such a call.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for controlling network switches which includes a central network controller node having a call task for booking and executing calls by setting up the switches that interconnect a first terminal and a second terminal and a switch master task for receiving commands to control all of the switches in the network, maintaining status information for all of said switches and distributing requests for particular connections. A switch controller task is coupled to the switch master task for converting input instructions to said generic switch into commands for hardware switches. In response to a client request, the switch master task communicates with the switch controller task to convert commands for the generic switch to commands for the hardware switch and to create a connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.
Preferably, the network is a broadband telecommunications network.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling hardware switches in a network, which includes generating a generic switch and inputting control information into the generic switch so as to request a particular hardware connection, and converting the control information into hardware specific instructions so as to cause hardware switches to interconnect a first terminal to a second terminal.
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Fielding William S.
Plater Christopher R.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Kizou Hassan
Pezzlo John
Seaman Kenneth A.
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