Protocol processor

An apparatus for communication of information in a computer network system comprising:

• a unit of information comprising a plurality of subsections of information which are transmitted in serial fashion from said computer network system;
• checksum value associated with said subsections of information for said unit of information, said checksum value transmitted, in serial fashion, trailing said unit of information;
• means for accepting said subsections of information from a first computing device and for accepting said checksum value;
• means for computing checksum information for said unit of information as each of said subsections of information arrive at said means for accepting said subsections of information;
• and
• means for comparing said computed checksum value, after said unit of information arrives, to said checksum value associated with said unit of information.

A method for communicating information in a networked computer system, said computer system comprising a plurality of host devices coupled to a network system, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) said network system receiving a request from a first of said host devices;
• (b) said network system analyzing said request to determine a request type;
• (c) if said request is a network management request, said network system processing said network management request;
• (d) if said request is an information transfer request, said network system allowing information to flow-through said network system.

An apparatus for communication of information in a computer network system comprising:

• a transmission means for transmitting data;
• a data frame of information comprising individual packets of information such that a plurality of said packets of information processed in a serial manner are within said data frame of information, said data frame transmitted by and from said transmission means;
• a sending checksum value associated with said data frame of information, said sending checksum value transmitted with said data frame of information by said transmission means;
• receiving means for accepting said data frame of information from said transmission means, said receiving means accepting each of said individual packets of information as said individual packets of information arrive;
• computing means for computing an intermediate receiving checksum value for said individual packets of information as each of said individual packets of information arrive at said receiving means, said intermediate receiving checksum value becoming a final receiving checksum value upon the last of said each of said individual packets of information arriving;
• comparing means for making a comparison of said final receiving checksum value to said sending checksum value, said comparing means for generating a indicator signal indicating the result of said comparison.

A network for allowing communication between a plurality of computing devices comprising:

• a central bus means for communicating information, said central bus means comprising a plurality of receiving stations for accepting connection to other communication means;
• and
• one or more adapter means coupled with said central bus means at one of said receiving stations, each of said adapter means further coupled to at least a first of said computing devices, said adapter means for allowing communication of information between said central bus means and said first computing device, each of said adapter means;
• comprising:
• (a) determining means for determining type of information communicated from said first computing device coupled with said adapter means, said determining means for receiving time-critical commands and non-time-critical commands from said first computing device;
• (b) first processing means for processing said time-critical commands received from said first computing device, said time-critical commands being directed to said first processing means by said determining means;
• (c) second processing means for processing said non-time-critical commands received from said first computing device, said non-time-critical commands being directed to said second processing means by said determining means;
• and
• (d) first transferring means for transferring information to be communicated to a second of said computing devices, said information being directed to said transferring means by said determining means.

A method for communicating information in a networked computer and peripheral system, said method for communicating information comprising the steps of:

• providing a central bus means for communicating information, said central bus means comprising a plurality of receiving stations for accepting connection to other communication means;
• providing one or more adapter means coupled with said central bus means at one of said receiving stations, each of said adapter means further coupled to at least a first of said computing devices, said adapter means for allowing communication of information between said central bus means and said first computing device;
• determining the type of information communicated from said first computing device to said adapter means and receiving time-critical commands and non-time-critical commands from said first computing device;
• first processing said time-critical commands received from said first computing device, said time-critical commands being directed to said first processing step by said determining the type of information step;
• second processing said non-time-critical commands received from said first computing device, said non-time-critical commands being directed to said second processing step by said determining the type of information step;
• and
• transferring information to be communicated to a second of said computing devices, said information being directed to said transferring means by said determining step.