Virtual local area network
AssigneesAmerican Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Information Systems Inc.
InventorsKenneth K. Chan, Philip W. Hartmann, Scott P. Lamons, Terry G. Lyons, Argyrios C. Milonas
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Abstract
A system is disclosed for completing communication connections from end-users served by a connectionless (broadcast) type system in a manner which allows expansion of the calling area beyond the immediate physical limitations of the broadcast media. The system is based upon a device for mediating between the connectionless system and a connection oriented system. The device creates logical local area networks interconnectable by the connection oriented system. Calling user identification is used in conjunction with call completion data stored in a central memory for controlling all interconnections.
Claims10
A device for controlling communications between a plurality of end-systems, said device comprising
- means for establishing one or more groups of end-systems, each of said established groups identifying each end-system authorized to be a member thereof,
- means for receiving first information from a calling one of said end-systems, said first information including an identification of this end-system and a request for membership in one of said established groups,
- means responsive to said first information and to said one or more established groups for granting said request if and only if said calling end-system is an authorized member of the group requested, and
- means responsive to second information from said calling end-system and to the granting of said request for controlling communications between this calling end-system and called one of said end-systems identified in said second information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.