International Business Machines Corporation

Didier Avargues

Jean-Francois Le Pennec

Patrick Michel

Marc Lamberton

Patrick Sicsic

Philippe Bazot

Jean-Louis Clara

Jean-Francois Bortolotti

A method and system for determining the best data path in a communication network is presented. A Least Cost Routing path between end users in a multi-network environment, including both public and private networks, is determined based upon a longest prefix match. At network activation time, the numbers or prefixes of numbers of end users attached to the public network (304, 305) are stored in entry node data bases A and C of the private network (303). Assuming an end user terminal U1 calls a target end user U3, an entry node B first checks for a longest prefix match between the called number and numbers already stored into its memory. If this is the first time U3 is called via node B, no match will occur and node B will then broadcast a Query to all nodes in the private network (i.e. Nodes A and C). Only those nodes providing possible access to U3 answer this Query. Node B then determines the longest prefix match with the called number amongst the various query answers, and sets the data path via that node having the longest prefix match.

Method and system for performing a least cost routing function for data

A method for initializing ISDN adapter cards installed within a workstation having a main processor and an ISDN primary adapter for connecting the ISDN adapter cards to an ISDN primary gateway. Each ISDN adapter card has circuits for handling at least one B-channel, and a first processor associated with memory storage. The ISDN primary adapter includes a second processor associated with a second memory storage. In response to the reception of a specific polling pattern transmitted to each adapter card by the primary adapter, a pattern is transmitted to the workstation processor for requesting the loading of the second memory storage with operational code transferred from the workstation to the ISDN adapter card. The ISDN primary adapter, in response to the request pattern received by the main processor, transmits a second pattern via the ISDN adapter card that transmitted the first pattern, so that the main processor in the workstation and the processor in the ISDN primary adapter recognize the ISDN adapter card that transmitted the patterns to the workstation and to the ISDN primary adapter as the master ISDN adapter card for transmission of control information on the D-channel.

Method and apparatus for initializing ISDN adapter cards in a

Growing community of inventors

Cagnes-sur-mer, France

Didier Avargues