US6185218B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Communication method and apparatus for use in a computing network environment having high performance LAN connections
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1997-08-29
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Granted: 2001-02-06
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Expires: 2017-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for establishing communication between a first initiating host and a second communicating host in a computing environment having a gateway device. The gateway device is electronically connected from one side to a plurality of initiating hosts and on another side to at least one local area network, further connecting a plurality of receiving hosts to said gateway device. During an initialization step, all connected hosts and the local area network(s) is identified and their addresses and information obtained and stored in a port-sharing table in a memory location accessible to the gateway device. Upon receipt of a special command for establishing communication between a first initiating host and a second receiving host, all information required for establishing of a successful communication between the two hosts is then obtained from the port-sharing table. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention the computing network environment uses Multi-path channel communication protocol.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce H. Ratcliff
- 👤 Stephen R. Valley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:45
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2854; H04L12/2856; H04L12/2869; H04L12/287; H04L12/2872; H04L61/00; H04L61/09; H04L61/10; H04L67/00; H04L67/14; H04L67/34; H04L67/50; H04L67/56; H04L67/568; H04L69/00; H04L69/16; H04L69/163; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329; H04L9/00; H04L9/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
In a computing environment having a plurality of hosts, a method of establishing communication between a first initiating host and a second receiving host, said computing network environment also having at least one local area network, said method comprising the steps of: providing a gateway device and electronically connecting said gateway device to at least one initiating host, said host(s) being potentially associated with one or more local area networks; electronically connecting said gateway device also to at least one receiving destination host, said host(s) being potentially associated with one or more local area network(s); providing in said gateway device configuration information, information used for communication, information pertaining to functions supported by said gateway device, and information pertaining to functions provided by said gateway device for each host, as said information relates to said hosts and any of their potentially associated local area networks; and establishing said gateway device as central point of communication between all hosts so that said destination host(s) can obtain all necessary information about said initiating host(s) directly via said gateway device without involving any of said potentially associated local area network(s).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a computing environment having a plurality of hosts, a method of establishing communication between a first initiating host and a second receiving host, said computing network environment also having at least one local area network, said method comprising the steps of: providing a gateway device and electronically connecting said gateway device to at least one initiating host, said host(s) being potentially associated with one or more local area networks; electronically connecting said gateway device also to at least one receiving destination host, said host(s) being potentially associated with one or more local area network(s); providing in said gateway device configuration information, information used for communication, information pertaining to functions supported by said gateway device, and information pertaining to functions provided by said gateway device for each host, as said information relates to said hosts and any of their potentially associated local area networks; and establishing said gateway device as central point of communication between all hosts so that said destination host(s) can obtain all necessary information about said initiating host(s) directly via said gateway device without involving any of said potentially associated local area network(s).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said information used for communication includes communication platform, communication protocol and local area network type information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said communication platform is a channel attached platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said communication platform is an integrated platform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said communication platform is an open systems adapter platform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said computing environment uses TCP/IP communication protocol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said computing environment uses UDP/IP communication protocol.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of local area networks are associated with said hosts and each said local area network are of a different type and use a different communication protocol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein said local area network(s) are of different type with associated independent communication platforms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said gateway device modifies and alters its information based on addition, deletion or disablement of said hosts and any of their associated local area networks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein said communication connections between said hosts and any of their associated local area networks and said gateway device is monitored by said gateway device at preselected intervals and any inactive or problematic connections are reported and appropriate modifications made.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of said hosts are potentially connected to at least one wide area network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said gateway device uses LAN Channel Station communication protocol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said computer environment uses a Multi-path channel communication protocol.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said communication platform is an integrated platform.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said communication platform is an open systems adapter platform.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said computing environment uses Novell IPX communication protocol.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said computing environment uses VTAM communication protocol.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein any associated local area network(s) are of different type and with different and independent communication platforms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein one or more of said hosts are also connected to at least one wide area network.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a computing environment having a plurality of hosts, an apparatus used for establishing communication between a first initiating host and a second receiving host, said computing network environment also having at least one local area network, said apparatus comprising: a gateway device electronically connected to at least one initiating host, said host(s) being potentially associated with one or more local area networks; said gateway device also being in electronic communication with at least one receiving destination host, said host(s) being potentially associated with one or more local area network(s); a central location provided in said gateway device for retaining configuration information, information used for communication, information pertaining to functions supported by said gateway device, and information pertaining to functions provided by said gateway device for each of said hosts, as said information relates to said hosts and any of their potentially associated local area networks; means for establishing said gateway device as central point of communication between all hosts so that said destination host(s) can obtain all necessary information about said initiating host(s) directly via said gateway device without involving any of said potentially associated local area network(s).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a computing environment having a plurality of hosts, an apparatus used for establishing communication between a first initiating host and a second receiving host, said computing network environment also having at least one local area network, said apparatus comprising: a gateway device electronically connected to at least one initiating host, said host(s) being potentially associated with one or more local area networks; said gateway device also being in electronic communication with at least one receiving destination host, said host(s) being potentially associated with one or more local area network(s); a central location provided in said gateway device for retaining configuration information, information used for communication, information pertaining to functions supported by said gateway device, and information pertaining to functions provided by said gateway device for each of said hosts, as said information relates to said hosts and any of their potentially associated local area networks; means for establishing said gateway device as central point of communication between all hosts so that said destination host(s) can obtain all necessary information about said initiating host(s) directly via said gateway device without involving any of said potentially associated local area network(s).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein said information used for communication includes communication platform, communication protocol and local area network type information.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein said communication platform is an integrated platform.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein said communication platform is an open systems adapter platform.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein said computing environment uses TCP/IP communication protocol.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein said computer environment uses a Multi-path channel communication protocol.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein said communication platform is an integrated platform.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein said communication platform is an open systems adapter platform.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein said computing environment uses TCP/IP communication protocol.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein said gateway device modifies and alters its information based on addition, deletion or disablement of said hosts and any of their associated local area networks.
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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) | 2004-02-06 | 2004-08-07 | 2005-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | 2009-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-06 | 2012-08-07 | 2013-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |