GB2277230A

GB2277230A - A voice and data network

Info

Publication number: GB2277230A
Application number: GB9312616A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Fallon; Frank Gernon
Original assignee: FLOREXPORT
Current assignee: FLOREXPORT
Priority date: 1993-04-14
Filing date: 1993-06-18
Publication date: 1994-10-19
Also published as: IE930284A1; BE1005682A6; GB9312616D0; GB9310452D0; IE70232B1

Abstract

A voice and data network (1) comprises a central node (2) and a plurality of remote nodes (3, 4). At the central node (2), a packet switching unit (10) automatically diverts data signals to a data switch (17), and voice signals to a voice switch (14) according to pre-set partitioning of the bandwidth of the incoming signals on the links (12). In addition, a network management system (11) carries out monitoring of the signals to determine cost allocation for all signals, even if they are transmitted outside of the network via a public switching network. A large amount of versatility is provided by the fact that a number of data processing devices may be connected remotely of each of the nodes via the data switches (17, 23, 34). <IMAGE>

Description

"A Voice and Data Network" The invention relates to an improved voice and data network for use in an organisation in which communication is extremely important between personnel located at geographically distance sites. An example of such an organisation, is a fruit buying and distribution organisation whereby it is essential that there is good communication between the sites so that the goods are bought at the best possible prices, are distributed in a timely manner and are of the correct quality.

Voice and data networks are described in PCT Patent Specification Nos. WO 87/01254 and WO 92/14320 (Republic Telecom Systems Corp.). In these specifications, there is no disclosure of a control method to provide in particular for ease of use by personnel, or of circuits for handling a large amount of data communication between distributed data processing devices.

The invention relates to an improvement in such systems whereby the particular needs of such an organisation are satisfied in an economical manner. In more detail, the objectives of the invention are as follows: (a) the provision of high quality voice communication, and the additional capability of data communication; (b) reliability of both the voice and the data communication; (c) expandability of the network to cater for business expansion; and (d) ease of use of the network by personnel.

According to the invention, there is provided a voice and data network comprising a central node and a plurality of distributed remote nodes connected in a star configuration, wherein each remote node includes a voice switch having an analog to digital converter and a packetising circuit; a plurality of local telecommunication devices connected to the voice switch via a branch exchange unit; a remote communication link having a bandwidth of a t least 48 Kbs connected to the voice switch; a data switch connected by a link to the voice switch; a plurality of data processing devices connected to the data switch;; control circuits in the voice switch for automatically separating out incoming signals according to pre-set portions of the bandwidth of the remote communication link for voice and for data, and for automatically switching the data signals to the data switch, and the central node comprises: a packet switching unit having input/output ports which are connected to the voice switches of the remote nodes via the remote communication links; a high speed serial link connecting the packet switching unit to a voice switch; a plurality of links connecting the voice switch to a branch exchange for a central site; a plurality of low-bandwidth links connecting the packet switching unit to a data switch; a plurality of data processing devices connected to the data switch;; means in the packet switching unit for automatically seperating voice and data signals according to pre-set partitioning of bandwidth of the signals transmitted on a remote communication link; means for routing separated voice signals via the high speed serial link to the voice switch, and for routing the separated data signals to the data switch via the low bandwidth links; and a network management system connected to the packet switching unit and being programmed to monitor source and destination for all transmitted signals to determine if a signal is transmitted outside the network and to determine a node allocation for the signal.

In one embodiment, at least some of the data processing devices connected to the data switch at a remote node are located remotely with respect to the node.

Preferably, the data switches are constructed for asynchronous communication with the associated data processing devices.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a voice and data network of the invention; Fig. 2 is a detailed view showing a central node of the network; and Figs. 3 and 4 are detailed views showing distributed remote nodes of the network.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a voice and data network of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. Briefly, the network 1 comprises a central node 2 to which there are five distributed remote nodes 3 and three distributed remote nodes 4 connected in a star configuration. The central node 2 is located at the headquarters of an organisation such as a fruit purchasing and distribution organisation, while the remote nodes are at various geographically distant locations within a country and internationally. The purpose of the network is to allow personnel of the organisation to communicate with each other in a reliable manner without delays in making connections, and also in an inexpensive manner. This is particularly true because some of the remote nodes are distributed internationally.There are various data processing and telephonic equipment at each of the nodes and it is essential that these communicate with each other effectively for efficient running of the organisation. There is also a requirement for communication with telephone and data processing devices not in the network nodes. Preferably, such communication is not always via public switching networks.

Referring specifically to Fig. 2 the central node 2 is described in detail. This comprises a digital packet switching unit 10 vhich is connected via a high speed serial link to a network management system 11. There are eight input/out?ut ports of the packet switching unit 10 and these are connected to 64 Kbs Dassnet links 12. These are the links which connect the central node 2 to the remote nodes 3 and 4. The packet switching unit 12 is expandable by inclusion of additional circuits to provide additional ports for connection to remote nodes which are added to the network 1.

The packet switching unit 10 includes control circuitry which communicates with the network management system 11 via the high speed serial link and which carries out the following functions: (a) Automatic separation of the incoming communication signals on the links 12 according to bandwidth partitions for voice and for data; (b) Automatic monitoring of the node source and destination data for each signal; (c) Recording data relating to communications. This is automatically retrieved by the network management system 11 at periodic intervals and subsequentially processed for the generation of output information relating to operation of the network 1. The data which is logged in the unit 10 is in a raw format in ASCII code, all of the interfacing for further processing being carried out by the network management system 11. The data which is recorded includes presence of any of a set of digits indicating parameters such as breaking-out of the network, operator connections and network accesses. Each digit of a signal is checked, up to a maximum of thirty-eight; (d) Multiplexing the packets relating to the voice partItion of the 64 Kbs bandwidth and directing them via a 128 Kbs link to the voice switch 14.

The voice switch 14 has 16 output lines 14a which are connected to an external branch exchange 15 for the central location. Various telephonic devices are connected to the exchange 15, and these are not shown for clarity.

That portion of the bandwidth which is "sliced off" by the unit 10 because it contains data is automatically routed in packets through 9.6 Kbs links 16 to the data switch 17.

The data is routed in synchronous form to the data switch 17. The data switch 17 in turn transmits the data to a relevant data processing device such as a minicomputer 18 or a terminal 19. In total there are twenty eight 9.6 Kbs per second asynchonous links to various data processing devices. These links connect the data switch 17 to both local data processing devices at the central location, and also to remote devices not in a node of the network 1.

Accordingly, the network has a wide spread of devices for communication, without the need for public switching networks. In addition, however, data communication between two remote nodes is carried out via the unit 10, data coming in via one of the links 12 and being transmitted via another link 12 to the relevant remote node. Thus, there is versatility in operation of the network because data signals may be simply routed directly through the unit 10 or alternatively may be routed via the data switch 17 to provide a variety of other data processing devices which are not in specific nodes 3 or 4.

Referring to Fig. 3 the remote nodes 3 are illustrated in more detail. Each remote node 3 comprises up to four telephones 20 connected to a voice switch 21 via a branch exchange unit, not shown. The voice switch 21 is connected to one of the links 12 for communication with the central node 2. The voice switch 21 includes an A/D converter and packetising circuits. The voice switch 21 is connected by a 9.6 Kbs per second link to a data switch 23, which in turn is connected to five data processing devices, namely, four terminals 24 and a minicomputer 25.

The data processing devices 24 and 25 are located at the remote site, although it is envisaged that some of the links may connect the data switch 23 to remote devices which are not at a particular node of the network. Again, the control circuits of the voice switch 21 automatically separate the 9.6 Kbs partitioned section of the bandwidth for data from the 53.4 Kbs partition for voice communication.

It will be appreciated that because a single link 12 is used for both data and voice, and because the voice switch 21 automatically separates the signals according to bandwidth partitions, the equipment required for the network 2 is relatively simple and inexpensive and the network has a large amount of versatility. For example, each voice switch 21 may be constructed for separating out different bandwidth partitions according to the data and voice requirements of the particular node. This is carried out in conjunction with the packet switching unit 10. Because the voice switch 21 packetises both the voice and data inputs for communication on the link 12, voice and data communication may be integrated in the one network in a reliable manner.

Referring specifically to Fig. 4 one of the remote nodes 4 is shown in more detail. In this case, there are six telephones 30 connected by four or two wire E and M links 31 to a branch exchange (not shown) and to a voice switch 32 which has A/D converter and packetising circuits. The voice switch 32 is also connected by a 9.6 Kbs link 33 to a data switch 34. The data switch 34 is in turn connected to a number of data processing devices, namely, ten terminals 35 and a minicomputer 36. Again, the 34 Kbs per second link 12 is connected directly to the voice switch 32. In each remote node 4 the control circuits of the voice switch 32 may also be constructed for separation out of a wider bandwidth than 9.6 Kbs for data, and indeed it is envisaged that 19.2 Kbs may be partitioned out for data.

The network management system 11 is programmed to filter out failed communication attempts and to transmit data relating to successful communication attempts to a report generator (not shown). The report generator processes the received data and generates pre-set reports, and subsequently retransmits the "raw" data to a database system (not shown). This may process the data in a variable manner to generate customised reports.

It has been found that the combination of a central node having a packet switching unit which automatically separates out the voice and data signals according to a bandwidth partition, and automatically switches the various signals to a data switch or a voice switch as appropriate is particularly effective at achieving the objectives of the invention. This is particularly true because similar operations are carried out at the voice switch of each remote node whereby the voice bandwidth partition is separated out from the data bandwidth partition. Because there is a network management system 11 connected to the packet switching unit 10 and because this operates via a high speed serial link for monitoring of all data, the network is very easy to use for personnel of the organisation.For example, the network management system 11 may set simple address codes for each of the telephonic or data processing devices in each of the nodes. Further, because it filters the raw data logged by the packet switching unit 10 complex data processing may take place to ensure that costs for communications are allocated to the correct centres and that error detection may be rapidly carried out. Because of operation of the network management system 11, a person at a remote node 3 may, for example communicate with a person at a remote node 4 via the packet switching unit 10 and may be in turn connected into the public telephone network at the remote node to a further address outside of the particular organisation. The network management system 11 is programmed to automatically monitor all of this data and to make cost allocation back from the remote node 4 to the remote node 3 and to the relevant telephone or data processing device within that node. This is an extremely important aspect of the invention as it provides for overall control of the organisation in an effective manner.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, but may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

1. A voice and data network comprising a central node and a plurality of distributed remote nodes connected in a star configuration, wherein each remote node includes: a voice switch having an analog to digital converter and a packetising circuit; a plurality of local telecommunication devices connected to the voice switch via a branch exchange unit; a remote communication link having a bandwidth of at least 48 Kbs connected to the voice switch; a data switch connected by a link to the voice switch; a plurality of data processing devices connected to the data switch; control circuits in the voice switch for automatically separating out incoming signals according to pre-set portions of the bandwidth of the remote communication link for voice and for data, and for automatically switching the data signals to the data switch; and the central node comprises: a packet switching unit having input/output ports which are connected to the voice switches of the remote nodes via the remote communication links; a high speed serial link connecting the packet switching unit to a voice switch; a plurality of links connecting the voice switch to a branch exchange for a central site; a plurality of low-bandwidth links connecting the packet switching unit to a data switch; a plurality of data processing devices connected to the data switch; means in the packet switching unit for automatically seperating voice and data signals according to pre-set partitioning of bandwidth of the signals transmitted on a remote communication link;; means for routing separated voice signals via the high-speed serial link to the voice switch, and for routing the separated data signals to the data switch via the low bandwidth links; and a network management system connected to the packet switching unit and being programmed to monitor source and destination for all transmitted signals to determine if a signal is transmitted outside the network and to determine a node allocation for the signal.

2. A network as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least some of the data processing devices connected to the data switch at a remote node are located remotely with respect to the node.

3. A network as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the data switches are constructed for asynchronous communication with the associated data processing devices.

4. A network as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the network management system is in turn connected to a report generator comprising means for retrieving data from the system and for generating reports having pre set layouts.

5. A network as claimed in claim 4, wherein the report generator is also connected to a database system, and comprises means for re-transmitting the received data to the database system.

6. A network substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.