Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Master/slave computer controlling – Master/slave mode selecting
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-21
2004-01-13
Jean, Frantz B. (Department: 2155)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Master/slave computer controlling
Master/slave mode selecting
C709S208000, C709S227000, C709S251000, C709S252000, C370S229000, C370S401000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06678721
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to communication systems, and more particularly, to a system and method for establishing a point-to-multipoint digital subscriber line (DSL) network.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In recent years, telephone communication systems have expanded from traditional plain old telephone system (POTS) communications to include high-speed data communications as well. As is known, POTS communications include the transmission of voice information, as well as PSTN (public switched telephone network) modem information, control signals, and other information that is transmitted in the POTS bandwidth.
Prompted largely by the growth in Internet usage, the provision of xDSL services to customer premises has proliferated over recent years. In this regard, the descriptor “x” preceding the DSL designator is used to broadly denote a variety of DSL services, including ADSL, RADSL, HDSL, etc. As is known, xDSL transmissions are sent to customer premises over the same twisted pair cabling as POTS transmission are sent. Since xDSL transmissions are communicated in a frequency band that is separate and distinct from the POTS frequency band, transmitting both types of signals over the same cabling (even at the same time), generally is not a problem. Specifically, the POTS frequency band is defined between approximately DC and approximately 4 kHz, while xDSL frequency bands (although they vary depending upon the specific service) are generally defined by a lower cutoff frequency of approximately 26 kHz, and an upper cutoff frequency that depends upon the particular xDSL service. As will be used hereinafter, the term DSL will be used interchangeably with the term xDSL, and should be construed to generically reference any of the of the various DSL services.
As is known, DSL is an additional service the customer typically purchases from its local service provider. The local service provider typically charges an additional service charge for the provision of the service. Until recently, the additional service charges have been somewhat substantial, resulting in a general limitation of the service to business enterprises. However, the services are now becoming more affordable, and therefore in higher demand. For many individuals, households, and even small businesses, installation charges have often provided a “barrier to entry,” in the past. However, with the development of standards like G.Lite, certain equipment requirements (e.g., pots splitters at the customer premises) have been eliminated, and therefore installation costs reduced.
Local area networks (LANs) have also helped reduce the “effective cost” of DSL services. In this regard, many small businesses (and even homes with multiple computers) implement LANs over which multiple computers can inter-communicate. In a LAN environment, a single DSL service/connection may be purchased and configured to allow all computers on the LAN to have access to the DSL service, and therefore access to the Internet or other wide area network (WAN). Although such computer configurations have increased the demand for DSL services, and effectively lowered the per computer cost for the DSL service, certain shortcomings exist, precipitating the desire for improvements in these systems.
To better illustrate, reference is made to
FIG. 1
, which is a block diagram illustrating a typical LAN configured for connection to a WAN. A typical LAN
10
may have a plurality of computers
12
,
14
,
16
, and
18
interconnected for inter-communication. To enable this communication across the LAN
10
, each computer typically contains a LAN card
13
,
15
,
17
, in
19
. As is well known, a LAN card provides the facilities in the lower-level's of the OSI model, to enable the computers to inter-communicate. Additional facilities and capabilities, however, are conventionally required in order for the computers to communicate over a WAN. These additional facilities are provided by way of a WAN card
20
. As is known, a WAN card provides similar functionality to a LAN card, but the voltage levels, protocols, and modulation schemes for communicating over a WAN are different than those for communicating over a LAN. Accordingly the hardware associated with the transmission in reception of signals over a WAN versus signals over a LAN are different, and therefore different hardware is required.
In a typical configuration, however, only a single WAN card
20
is required. A single DSL service may be purchased and configured between the wide area network and the computer
12
having the WAN card
20
. Nevertheless, communications from other computers, such as computer
14
,
16
, or
18
, may be made over the WAN. For example, if computer
14
desires an Internet connection, this connection may be established and maintained for the combination of communications between computer
14
and computer
12
over the LAN, then computer
12
to the WAN, via the DSL service. As is also known, each computer in the LAN may be uniquely identified by an IP address, and this EP address may be used to relate direct and channel communications between the WAN and a respective computer. Alternatively, computer
12
may be the only computer configured with an IP (Internet Protocol) address, and the remaining computers
14
,
16
, and
18
may be identified by sub-IP addresses, making them “invisible” to the WAN, but readily identifiable by computer
12
, or other computers on the LAN. Using protocols such as TCP/IP this communication flow may be established and maintained, in ways are well-known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, and therefore need not be described herein.
While a system, like the one broadly illustrated in
FIG. 1
, provides effective means for reducing the per computer cost of a DSL connection/service, there are nevertheless certain shortcomings in this system configuration. For example, this configuration is characterized by a single point of failure. Specifically, if the computer
12
having the WAN card
20
is shut down, or otherwise fails, then the remaining computers
14
,
16
, and
18
on the LAN
10
lose their ability to communicate over the WAN. Another problem relates to configurability and user-friendliness of the system. Particularly for home environments, and small business enterprises, which cannot readily afford a computer specialist, simplicity in system configuration and implementation is an important factor. It should be appreciated that the system in
FIG. 1
requires a certain level of sophistication in installing and configuring the computer
12
having the WAN card. Further, if operational problems arise, then troubleshooting such a system requires a certain level of user sophistication.
Accordingly, it is desired to provide a networked computer system having the single DSL connection/service benefits of the system
FIG. 1
, but providing greater simplicity and user-friendliness from the end-user perspective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Certain objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
To achieve the objects and advantages of the present invention, the present invention is directed to a system and method for establishing a point to multipoint communication network. Preferable, the point to multipoint communication network is established in the environment of a home of small office, and the invention is realized through a computer that may dynamically establish both LAN and WAN communications. Broadly, the system and method are realized by a computer that is configured to assume a role as either a Master or a Slave on a LAN. If the computer is the first (or only) computer powered up
Globespanvirata, Inc.
Jean Frantz B.
Nguyen Thu Ha
Thomas Kayden Horstemeyer & Risley
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