Method and apparatus for initializing ISDN adapter cards in a workstation operating as an ISDN primary gateway

An ISDN adapter card installed within a workstation comprising a main processing means (260) for the connection of said workstation to an ISDN primary adapter (222) allowing the connection to an ISDN primary gateway of an ISDN network, said adapter card comprising:

• means (640-670) for handling at least one of 30 B-channels contained within an ISDN primary frame,
• first processing means (140) associated with a memory storage for controlling said handling means (640-670), said first processing means having a serial data bus,
• means (63, 64) for connecting said serial data bus of said first processing means to a second processing means of said ISDN primary adapter (222),
• means for detecting a polling pattern received from said ISDN primary adapter (222),
• means, operative in response to detection of said polling pattern, for transmitting a second pattern to said main processing means (260) in said workstation (500),
• means for monitoring the reception of a third pattern generated by said main processing means (260),
• means, operative in response to reception of said third pattern, for transmitting a fourth pattern to said second processing means (100) located in said ISDN primary adapter, the transmitting of said fourth pattern resulting in both the main processing means (260) and second processing means (100) acknowledging that said ISDN adapter card is a master ISDN adapter card which will be used for the management of a D-channel of the ISDN frame.

An apparatus for allowing the connection of a workstation (500) to an ISDN primary gateway of an ISDN network, said workstation comprising a main processing means (260) and having a plurality of ISDN adapter cards, each ISDN adapter card capable of handling at least one B-Channel or one D-channel of an ISDN primary 30B+D frame and including a first processing means (140) with associated storage, said apparatus comprising:

• second processing means (100) associated with a memory storage (300, 320), said second processing means having a serial data bus for exchanging control signals with said first processing means (140) of each ISDN adapter card,
• multiplexing (130) and demultiplexing means (110) for respectively multiplexing and demultiplexing the control signals which are transmitted between said second processing means (100) and each ISDN adapter card (210-240) installed within said workstation (500),
• means for sending a polling pattern to each ISDN adapter card (210-240), said polling pattern inducing the transmission of a corresponding second pattern to said main processing means (260) by one of said plurality of ISDN adapter cards (210-240),
• means for monitoring the reception of a fourth pattern generated by said first processing means in said one ISDN adapter card following the reception by said one ISDN adapter card of a third pattern which was generated by said main processing means (260),
• the reception of said fourth pattern resulting in both the main processing means (260) in said workstation and said second processing means (100) in said apparatus acknowledging that said one ISDN adapter card is a master ISDN adapter card which will be used for the management of the D-channel of the ISDN frame.