Star configuration network system

A star configuration network system comprising:

• a first node having a plurality of connected terminals for providing a signal switching function;
• a plurality of second nodes each providing a signal transmitting function and a signal receiving function and each being connected to said first node;
• a data processor for transmitting and receiving data in a form of packet data and line switched data between said first node and said plurality of second nodes;
• and
• a controller for assigning addresses to said first node, said plurality of second nodes, and the plurality of connected terminals of said first node, wherein nodes of the network system are assigned a single predetermined common address as viewed from respective nodes connected both thereto and downstream in a signal flow direction, and wherein the address of a more upstream one in a signal flow direction of two connected nodes as viewed from the other of the two connected nodes is represented by the single predetermined common address, said controller setting a line over which to transmit said line switched data between said first node and one of said plurality of second nodes by use of the packet data.

A star configuration data network system comprising:

• a first node having a plurality of connected terminals for providing a signal switching function;
• a plurality of second nodes each providing a signal transmitting function and a signal receiving function and each being connected to said first node;
• a data processor for transmitting and receiving data in a form of packet data and line-switched data between said first node and said plurality of second nodes;
• and
• a controller for assigning addresses to said first node, said plurality of second nodes, and the plurality of connected terminals of said first node, wherein nodes of the network system are assigned a single predetermined common address as viewed from respective nodes connected both thereto and downstream in a signal flow direction, and for switching said packet data and said line-switched data transmitted and received by said data processor, wherein any one of said plurality of second nodes first makes an inquiry using a packet to detect another of said plurality of second nodes continuously transmitting desired status data, establishes with said detected another of said plurality of second nodes a line over which to transmit status data, and receives the status data continuously transmitted over the established line from said detected another of said plurality of second nodes.