초록 ▼

A data communications subsystem operates with a main host computer having a central processor and main memory. The subsystem comprises: A data communications processor having its own internal memory for storing data transfer routines; and autonomous memory dedicated to storing data transfer instruct

A data communications subsystem operates with a main host computer having a central processor and main memory. The subsystem comprises: A data communications processor having its own internal memory for storing data transfer routines; and autonomous memory dedicated to storing data transfer instructions and control data; and a basic control module which includes a basic control interface unit connecting a plurality of front-end controllers. The basic control interface unit provides memory access paths for the front-end controllers to access data communications memory resources. The data communications processor provides address pointers to each of the front-end controllers whereby the selected front-end controller may access data transfer instructions from a data communications memory resource and then execute these instructions. The data transfer instructions are stored in “command blocks”in a memory resource and are made accessible to the front-end controllers for execution of data transfer operations. In a “non-autonomous configuration”the host system main memory is used for storage of command blocks and control data. This configuration is used with the type of front-end controllers known as broadband controllers using high speed transmission lines connected to peripherals and adapter cluster module controllers. In an “autonomous” configuration, the command blocks are stored in autonomous memory and the front-end controllers may include, in addition, an added mix of a data communications disk controller (DCDC) for data storage on disk, and a store-to-store controller (SSC) for transfer of data between autonomous memory and the main memory independently of the data communications processor.

대표청구항 ▼

A data communications subsystem including a data communications processor, a data communications memory resource using an autonomous memory for autonomous configurations and main host system memory for non-autonomous configurations, and a basic control module which connects to remote peripheral unit

A data communications subsystem including a data communications processor, a data communications memory resource using an autonomous memory for autonomous configurations and main host system memory for non-autonomous configurations, and a basic control module which connects to remote peripheral units, said data communications subsystem operating in connection with a main host system having a main central processor and main memory, said data communications subsystem comprising: (a) said data communications processor being initiated by said main host system and including: (a1) a local internal memory for storage of data transfer routines; (a2) a plurality of cluster-interface hubs, each of which hubs is connected to either: (i) a plurality of adapter-cluster module controllers, or (ii) said basic control module having a basic control interface unit and a plurality of front-end controllers; (a3) means to initiate, stop or interrogate each of said plurality of front-end controllers in the subsystem; (a4) means to assemble and convey, to a selected front-end controller, an address of specific instruction-commands regarding data-transfer operations; (a5) means to sense any halt in the main host system and thereupon to operate the data communications subsystem in an autonomous self-running mode during such halt period wherein input messages from peripherals and output messages from the main system are stored on disk files, and wherein said output messages are transferred to their destinations even when the main system is off-line, and said input messages are transformed to the main system from disk files when the main system is on-line again; (b) said autonomous memory having direct access said basic control interface unit, said autonomous memory storing control data and information data dedicated to data transfer operations for use of said front-end controllers; (c) said basic control module including: (c1) a basic control interface unit, under control of said data communications processor, providing means to connecting said main host memory in non-autonomous subsystem configurations or means connecting said autonomous memory in autonomous subsystem configurations; (c2) a plurality of front-end controllers each of which connects, via transmission lines, to one or more peripheral units, each of said front-end controllers being linked to said basic control interface unit for access to main host memory or autonomous memory, each of said front-end controllers including: (c2a) means to receive data communication transfer instructions, after initiation by and receipt of instruction address-data from said data communications processor, said data transfer instructions being accessed from said main host memory, or said autonomous data communications memory; (c2b) means to execute data transfer instructions for data transfers from/to peripheral units connected to each of said front-end controllers; (c2c) program routine means for providing the specific line control disciplines and protocol required by the peripheral units connected to each of said front-end controllers; (c2d) connection means to one or more peripheral units.