United States Patent [19J
`de Nijs et al.
`
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US005568525A
`[Ill Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,568,525
`Oct. 22, 1996
`
`[54] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONNECTION
`OF MULTIPLE PROTOCOL TERMINALS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Richard H. J, de Nijs; Charles L.
`Haymes; Dale T. Ulmer, all of Raleigh,
`N.C.
`
`[73) Assignee: International Business Machines
`Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 109,185
`
`Aug. 19, 1993
`
`[22) Filed:
`Int. Cl.6
`........................................................ H04L 7/00
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. ....................... 375/356; 370/85.5; 370/85.14
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 375/106, 107,
`375/108, 359; 3701100.1, 103, 105.2, 95.1,
`95.3, 85.1 , 85.5, 85.12, 85.14
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`9/1987 Gagliardi et al ................. 370/100.1 X
`2/1989 Van Asselt ....................... 370/!00.1 X
`9/1990 Stone eta!. ......................... 375/107 X
`4/1991 Shobs ct al. ......................... 370/110.1
`7/1993 Dresher ............................... 375/108 X
`
`4,696,001
`4,805,169
`4,955,020
`5,012,470
`5,228,030
`
`Wiring Closet 52
`
`Terminal
`Controller
`
`Cabling 36
`
`32
`
`Networl< Port
`Configurator
`
`To/From
`Mainframe
`40
`
`To/From Token
`Ring Network 42
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`IBM, TDB, vol. 29, No.9, Feb. 1987, pp. 3776-3778.
`IBM, TDB, Jul., 1986, pp. 892- 900.
`
`Primary Examiner-Stephen Chin
`Assistant Examiner- Bryan E. Webster
`Attorney, Agent, or Finn-Stephen T. Keohane
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A network port configurator device for automatically con(cid:173)
`figuring a system having network workstations and corre(cid:173)
`sponding network equipment of various physical protocols.
`The network port configurator comprises a plurality of input
`and output ports for receiving physical wiring to which the
`workstations and network equipment arc attached. Detection
`circuitry attached to the input and output ports determine the
`physical protocol of the attached workstations and network
`equipment by determining a characteristic of the attached
`equipment. Examples of identifying characteristics include a
`characteristic impedance, a characteristic voltage, and a
`characteristic cable identification of the workstation. Logic
`circuitry uses this information to control a circuit switching
`mechanism that connects the input ports to the output ports.
`
`20 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
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`Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 22, 1996
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`5,568,525
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`Page 6
`
`

`
`5,568,525
`
`1
`SYSTEM Al'\'D METHOD FOR CONNECTION
`OF MULTIPLE PROTOCOL TERMINALS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`20
`
`25
`
`2
`Contemporary installation of wmng media utilizes a
`single multiprotocol cable that is electrically compatible
`with several network types. For example, data-grade,
`shielded-twisted pair wiring is being used to transmit data
`s conforming to the token ring, Ethernet lObaseT, and RS232
`serial protocols.
`The use of such a multiprotocol medium eliminates the
`need to wire facilities differently for each unique network. In
`addition, such a wiring system permits a device, equipped
`10 with one of many interfaces, connected to a nearby port
`wired with the single multi protocol medium to communicate
`with the appropriate controller, concentrator, multiplexor, or
`hub connected at the other end to complete the network
`connection. Furthermore, the use of such multiprotocol
`IS medium permits a device to be moved to another office, for
`instance, no matter which physical interface the device has
`if the office has a multiprotocol-wired port.
`An example of this is shown in FIG. 1A. The system 10
`comprises a wiring closet 12 for providing a centralized
`location for the network wiring to terminate, and two offices,
`Office 14 and Office 16, each having a wall port, Wall Port
`18 and Wall Port 20. Office 14 has a Terminal Workstation
`22 connected to Wall Port 18 while Office 16 bas a Token
`Ring Workstation 24 connected to Wall Port 20.
`In Wiring Closet 12, a Patch Panel26 connects Cabling 28
`from Wall Port 18 and Cabling 30 from Wall Port 20 to a
`Terminal Controller 32 and a Token Ring Multistation
`Access Unit (MAU) 34 via Cabling 36 and Cabling 38,
`respectively. Terminal Controller 32 and Token Ring MAU
`34 are respectively connected to their corresponding net(cid:173)
`works via Cabling 40 (to/from Mainframe) and Cabling 42
`(to and ftom token ring network).
`In the case where Cabling 28 and Cabling 30 are multi(cid:173)
`protocol wiring media, in this case, both supporting the
`token ring (for Token Ring Workstation 24) and synchro(cid:173)
`nous data link control (SDLC) (for Terminal Workstation
`22) physical medium protocols, Token Ring Workstation 24
`may be moved to Office 14 and connected to Wall Port 18
`as Cabling 28 supports the token ring physical protocol.
`Likewise, Terminal Workstation 22 may be moved to Office
`16 and connected to Wall Port 20. In .order for the network
`workstations to communicate with their respective net(cid:173)
`works, however, Cabling 36 and Cabling 38 must be
`swapped at Patch Panel 26, i.e., Cabling 36 must be discon(cid:173)
`nected from Patch Panel Port 46 and connected to Patch
`Panel Port 48 and vice versa with Cabling 38. This process
`is a manual one and requires that a technician, first, find the
`cable associated with the newly attached device, then dis(cid:173)
`connect the cable from its current point of attachment, and
`finally, reconnect it to a designated port on equipment that
`is compatible with the device being attached.
`Other communications equipment, known as media cen(cid:173)
`ters or intelligent hubs (IHUBS), have been devised to
`replace patch panels in wiring closets so that the networks
`connected thereto can be remotely managed. Similarly, in
`this system, the terminals or other devices are connected to
`wall ports which arc attached by various media, including
`multiprotocol media, to these hubs. Within the IHUBs,
`modules, or "blades", for each individual protocol type
`supported (such as token ring or Ethernet networks) are
`installed. The workstations are connected to these blades. It
`is possible to remotely reconfigure such an IHUB by means
`of a network manager so that a workstation of one type, such
`as a token ring workstation, may be disconnected from its
`port and reconnected to another port, so long as the other
`port is connected to a token ring blade within the !HUB.
`
`I. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to the interconnection of
`digital communications networks and, more particularly, to
`a system for automatically connecting a network worksta(cid:173)
`tion of a particular protocol type with network equipment of
`the same protocol type.
`2. Background and Prior Art
`Rapid changes in digital communications networks have
`generated a multiplicity of network types, many of which
`co-exist. For example, many times both host-centric and
`distributed communications networks arc used within a
`business environment. Each type of network has a useful
`function necessary in many business environments.
`A host-centric communications network is one in which
`all information transferred between connected devices is
`managed by a central host processor unit. An example of a
`host-centric network is one comprising a mainframe from
`International Business Machines (ffiM)® (such as a System/
`390®) having a plurality of display terminals (such as ffiM
`3270 Information Display Systems) connected via a control
`unit (such as an IBM 3174 terminal controller).
`A distributed communications network is one in which
`information is transferred between devices attached to the
`network without the intervention of a central host processor.
`These distributed networks can be constructed from local
`area network teclmologies, such as Ethernet (as defined by
`the IEEE 802.3 standard) or token ring (IEEE 802.5 stan(cid:173)
`dard).
`The ad hoc development and deployment of the various
`types of networks in earlier years has resulted in non(cid:173)
`compatibility for interconnection. Each network type has its
`own protocols under which it operates and communicates
`with other networks of the same protocol type. For instance,
`a networking protocol may define the manner in which the 40
`data is framed or in which errors are checked. Furthermore,
`a networking protocol normally defines the physical inter(cid:173)
`face, or the actual physical connectivity and medium used by
`the network. This physical interface definition is analogous
`to the physical layer of the seven-layer Open Systems 45
`Interface (OSI) reference model. Examples are the usc of
`unshielded twisted pair, coaxial or fiber optic cabling for the
`transmission of bit streams across the particular physical
`medium. Thus, a business having multiple networks, each of
`a unique protocol, many times has corresponding sets of 50
`wiring in its facility to accommodate them.
`Currently, as multiple networks are installed in facilities,
`the wiring and physical ports compatible with each type of
`network physical interface also are installed. That is, distinct
`sets of wiring media are routed throughout the facility to the 55
`points where the distinct network workstations (devices/
`terminals) and network equipment (such as hosts or host
`control units) arc located.
`Common practice is to install the various sets of wiring
`media in a star configuration from a wiring hub or termi- 60
`nation point to the network workstations and to the network
`equipment in a point-to-point manner. This method of wiring
`also facilitates the management of the networks by provid(cid:173)
`ing a central management point as well as resolving the
`architectural considerations to provide spaces, such as wir- 65
`ing closets, to house electrical wiring panels and commu(cid:173)
`nications equipment.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Page 7
`
`

`
`5,568,525
`
`3
`However, a workstation of one type may not be moved to a
`port configured for another type of workstation. This is
`shown in FIG. lB where Terminal Workstation 22 in Office
`14 is connected to Terminal Controller Blade 32' in IHUB 50
`and Token Ring Workstation 24 in Office 16 is connected to 5
`Token Ring Blade 34' in IHUB 50. If Terminal Workstation
`22 and Token Ring Workstation 24 were to exchange offices,
`Terminal Workstation 22 moving to Office 16 and connect(cid:173)
`ing to Wall Port 20 and Token Ring Workstation 24 moving
`to Office 14 and connecting to Wall Port 18, Cabling 28 and 10
`Cabling 30 would have to be manually exchanged. The
`IHUB 50 is only reconfigurable using Network Manager 52
`if the workstations are of the same protocol type and are
`connected to the same blade or different blades (if an
`additional bridging blade were available and installed).
`Presently, there is no system or method of automatically
`connecting a network workstation with its corresponding
`network equipment based upon physical interface protocol
`of the network. There is a need for such a system as network
`workstations become more portable as laptop and palmtop 20
`personal computers become more prolific in their use. This
`requirement is shown by the existence of these and other
`PCs having more than one network interface adapter
`installed therein.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`A network port configurator device for automatically
`configuring a system having network workstations and cor(cid:173)
`responding network equipment of various physical proto(cid:173)
`cols. The network port configurator comprises a plurality of 30
`input and output ports for receiving physical wiring to which
`the workstations and network equipment are attached.
`Detection circuitry attached to the input and output ports
`determine the physical protocol of the attached workstations
`and network equipment by determining a characteristic of 35
`the attached equipment. Examples of an identifying charac(cid:173)
`teristic include a characteristic impedance, a characteristic
`voltage, and a characteristic cable identification of the
`workstation. Logic circuitry uses this information to control
`a circuit switching mechanism that connects the input ports 40
`to the output ports.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`While the technical description concludes with claims
`particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which 45
`is regarded as the invention, details of a preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the invention may be more readily ascertained from
`the following technical description when read in conjunction
`with the accompanying drawings, where:
`FIG. lA is a block diagram illustrating a prior art instal- 50
`lation of two types of networks in a facility.
`FIG. lB is a block diagram illustrating a second prior art
`installation of two types of networks in.a facility.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an installation, in a
`facility, of two types of networks using the network port
`configurator of the present invention.
`FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are diagrams illustrating the char(cid:173)
`acteristic impedance of a terminal workstation, a token ring
`workstation and an Ethernet workstation, respectively.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the network configurator of
`the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`55
`
`60
`
`4
`rator 54 of the present invention installed therein. Facility 50
`comprises offices 14 and 16 having Terminal Workstation 22
`and Token Ring Workstation 24, respectively. Facility 50
`further has a Wiring Closet 52 connected to Offices 14 and
`16 via multi protocol Cabling 28 and 30, respectively. Wu'ing
`Closet 52 has a Terminal Network Controller 32 for com-
`municating with the Terminal Workstation 22 and a Token
`Ring Multistation Access Unit (MAU) 34 for communicat(cid:173)
`ing with the Token Ring Workstation 24. Terminal Network
`Controller 32 and Token Ring MAU 34 are connected to the
`Network Port Configurator 54 of the present invention via
`Cabling 36 and 38, respectively. Terminal Network Control(cid:173)
`ler 32 and Token Ring MAU 34 are connected to, respec(cid:173)
`tively, a mainframe and a token ring network via Cabling 40
`(to/from mainframe) and Cabling 42 (to/from token ring
`!5 network).
`The Network Port Configurator 54 of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion automatically connects a network workstation (i.e.,
`Terminal Workstation 22 and Token Ring Workstation 24)
`with its corresponding network equipment (Terminal Net(cid:173)
`work Controller 32 and Token Ring MAU 34) based upon
`physical interface protocol of the network workstation and
`corresponding network equipment. For instance, where Ter(cid:173)
`minal Workstation 22 is disconnected from Wall Port 18 and
`is moved to Office 16 and connected to Wall Port 20, the
`25 Network Port Configurator 54 senses that Terminal Work(cid:173)
`station 22 is connected at its Port 62 and automatically
`establishes a connection between Port 62 and Port 56. The
`Network Port Configurator 54 accomplishes this by detect-
`ing and determining a characteristic of the attached network
`workstations at Ports 60, 62. Because each type of network
`workstation has a unique characteristic, the Network Port
`Conligurator is able to determine which type of workstation
`is attached thereto. Similarly, each type of network equip-
`ment has a unique characteristic and, therefore, can be
`distinguished by the Network Port Configurator 54 from
`other types of network equipment. It is in this manner that
`the Network Port Configurator of the present invention is
`able to automatically reconfigure itself so that the network
`workstations are connected to their corresponding network
`equipment even where the network workstation is discon(cid:173)
`nected from its original location and reconnected elsewhere.
`This is accomplished without any manual intervention.
`The detectable unique characteristic of the various work(cid:173)
`stations can vary, depending upon the network protocol type.
`For example, the characteristic impedances of a token ring
`workstation, an Ethernet workstation and a terminal work(cid:173)
`station (a 3270-type terminal) are three distinct and detect(cid:173)
`able impedances. By detecting and determining the imped-
`ance of the attached device (if it is one of these three types),
`the Network Port Configurator may determine which type it
`is in order to connect it to its corresponding network
`equipment.
`Schematic diagrams of the characteristic impedance of a
`token ring, a 1 ObaseT Ethernet and a terminal workstation
`are shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C. As shown in FIG. 3A,
`the characteristic impedance of a terminal workstation, such
`as a 3270-type workstation, is indicated by Zu. Of a standard
`four-wire connector having wires R, G, 0 , and B, Connector
`51a uses only wires R and G. The impedance between these
`two wires is the transformer impedance of transformer Tl.
`There is nothing connected to Wires 0 and B and, therefore,
`the impedance between the two wires js open. The overall
`characteristic impedance of the 3270-type terminal is Zu.
`FIG. 3B illustrates the characteristic impedance of a token
`ring workstation. The characteristic impedance of this work(cid:173)
`station is Zv. The Connector 51b of the token ring worksta-
`
`65
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates a facility 50, similar to the facility shown
`in FIGS. 1A and 18, but having the network port configu-
`
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`5,568,525
`
`20
`
`35
`
`5
`Lion uses all four wires R, G, 0, and B and has transformers
`T2 and T3 connected therebetween. The token ring work(cid:173)
`station further has a Signal Circuit 53 connected between
`R/0 and G/B. The overall characteristic impedance of the
`token ring workstation is Zv.
`FIG. 3C illustrates the characteristic impedance of an
`Ethernet I ObaseT workstation. The characteristic impedance
`of this workstation is Zw. The Connector 51c of the Ethernet
`I ObaseT workstation uses all four wires R, G, 0, and B and
`has transformers T4 and T5 connected therebetween. As was LO
`noted above, the overall characteristic impedance of the
`Ethernet !ObaseT workstation is Zw.
`Thus, as each of these workstations has a different char(cid:173)
`acteristic impedance which can be easily detected and
`determined, the Network Port Configurator of the present
`invention merely determines the characteristic impedance of
`the attached device in order to determine which particular
`device is attached to each particular port. Characteristic
`impedance is shown as but one example of a characteristic
`by which workstations may be distinguished. Other
`examples include characteristic voltage levels and cable
`identifications.
`FIG. 4 illustrates in detail one embodiment of the Net(cid:173)
`work Port Configurator 54 of the presem invention. Network
`Port Configurator 54 comprises a plurality of Network Port
`Configurator (NPC) Ports 64, 66, NPC Ports 64 for being
`connected to 110 Ports 61 (for network equipment) and NPC
`Ports 66 for being connected to 110 Ports 63 (for network
`workstations). 110 Ports 61, 63 are connected to the Network
`Port Configurator 54 by multiprotocol cabling 57, 59. Con(cid:173)
`nected between NPC Ports 64, 66 via cabling 65, 67,
`respectively, is a Switch 68. Switch 68 can be any type of
`switch which is capable of switching any of the l\rpc Ports
`66 to any of the NPC Ports 64, such as a cross-bar switch.
`Switch 68 is responsive to control signals transmined by
`Configuration (Config.) Logic 70 and conveyed by cabling
`72. Config. Logic 70 is further connected to Detection
`Circuitry 74 via cabling 76. Both Config. Logic 70 and
`Detection Circuitry 74 arc under the control of Program
`Control 78 via cabling 80. Detection Circuitry 74 is con(cid:173)
`nected to each of the NPC Ports 66 via cabling 82.
`In general, the Network Port Configurator 54 operates as
`follows. 110 Ports 63 are located in various offices through(cid:173)
`out a facility operating a number of different network
`protocols, such as token ring networks, Ethernet networks,
`and 3270-type networks. Connected to the JJO Ports 63 are
`network workstations for communicating on the various
`networks. Examples of such network workstations are token
`ring workstations, Ethernet workstations and 3270 termi(cid:173)
`nals. On the other side of the Network Port Configurator 54
`are connected the network equipment to 110 Ports 61.
`Examples of network equipment are a token ring multista(cid:173)
`Lion access unit (MAU), an Ethernet concentrator, and a
`3174 terminal controller. The network workstations are
`connected to the corresponding network equipment through
`Switch 68. Config. Logic 70, which consists of logic cir(cid:173)
`cuitry and switch drivers, generates and transmits control
`signals to the Switch 68 for setting the Switch in the proper
`configuration, i.e., so that network workstations communi(cid:173)
`cate with their respective and corresponding network equip(cid:173)
`ment. Config. Logic 70 generates these control signals based
`upon signals it receives from Detection Circuitry 74 and
`Program Control 78.
`Detection Circuitry 74, which is connected to each of 65
`NPC Ports 66, contains circuitry for detecting and deter(cid:173)
`mining the particular characteristic of the network worksta-
`
`6
`tions (such as characteristic impedance) connected to the JJO
`Ports 63. Based upon the characteristic of the respective
`network workstations (and further based upon the Program
`Control 78), the Detection Circuitry transmits signals to the
`5 Config. Logic 70 so that Switch 68 may be configured
`properly.
`Because the particular detected characteristic of each of
`the various types of network workstations is different from
`one another, the Detection Circuitry 74 can determine which
`type of network workstation is connected to the NPC Port
`66. The Detection Circuitry 74 forwards this information,
`i.e., which type of workstation is connecred to which NPC
`Port 66, to Config. Logic 70. Through Program Control 78,
`Config. Logic 70 knows which types of network equipment
`15 are connected to which NPC Ports 64. By knowing which
`type of network workstation is attached to which NPC Port
`66, the Config. Logic 70 is able to transmit the proper
`control signals to Switch 68 so that the Switch 68 is properly
`configured, i.e., the network workstations are connected to
`their corresponding network equipment.
`Alternatively, Detection Circuitry 74 may be connected to
`NPC Ports 64, as shown by dashed lines 67a. (For clarity,
`only one dashed line 67a is shown. Not shown are the other
`dashed lines between the remaining NPC Ports 64 and the
`25 detection Circuit 74.) In this case, Detection Circuitry 74 is
`able to detect a characteristic of the attached network
`equipment, in addition to being able to detect a characteristic
`of the network workstations. Because the various types of
`network equipment have unique characteristics (as do the
`30 workstations), the Network Port Configurator of the present
`invention is able to distinguish them and automatically
`configure itself so that the network workstations are properly
`connected with their corresponding network equipment.
`Thus, it can be seen that the method and system of the
`present invention allows network workstations connected to
`the system to be disconnected, moved and reconnected to
`another port of the system and be automatically connected to
`its corresponding network equipment for communication.
`40 This is accomplished through the unique utilization of a
`detection circuit which detects a characteristic of the
`attached workstations, such as characteristic impedance, so
`that the system may determine the type of network. It is in
`this manner that the workstation may be automatically
`45 connected to its corresponding network equipment without
`manual intervention. While the invention has been particu(cid:173)
`larly shown and described with reference to preferred
`embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled
`in the art that various other changes in form and detail may
`50 be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
`invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. For use with a plurality of network workstations and a
`plurality of network equipment, each workstation and each
`55 network equipment being a protocol type of a set of protocol
`types, a system for automatically connecting a workstation
`of a particular protocol type with a networ·k equipment of the
`same protocol type, each workstation of a particular protocol
`type having a unique physical characteristic as compared to
`60 workstations of other protocol types, said system compris(cid:173)
`ing:
`a plurality of workstation ports for connecting to one or
`more workstations;
`a plurality of network equipment ports for connecting to
`one or more network equipment, at least one of said one
`or more network equipment being of the same protocol
`type as at least one of said one or more workstations;
`
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`5,568,525
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`7
`means connected to said workstation pons for determin(cid:173)
`ing the protocol type of said set of protocol types of
`each of said workstations connected to said workstation
`pons by determining said unique physical characteris(cid:173)
`tic of said workstation, said protocol determining 5
`means generating an output indicative of each said
`protocol type; and
`means, connected between said workstation ports and said
`network equipment pons, for establishing connections
`between said workstation ports and said network equip- 10
`ment pens, said establishing connections means being
`responsive to said protocol determining means output.
`2. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said unique
`physical characteristic is a characteristic impedance and said
`protocol determining means comprises an impedance detec(cid:173)
`tion means for detecting the characteristic impedance of said 15
`workstations.
`3. The system defined in claim 1 further comprising
`means connected to said network equipment ports for deter(cid:173)
`mining the protocol type of said network equipment, said
`network equipment protocol determining means generating 20
`an output indicative of said network equipment protocol and
`means, connected between said workstation ports and said
`network equipment ports, for establishing connections
`between said workstation ports and said network equipment
`ports, said establishing connections means being responsive 25
`to said network equipment protocol determining means
`output.
`4. The system defined in claim 3 wherein said unique
`physical characteristic is a characteristic impedance and said
`network equipment protocol type determining means com- 30
`prises a detection circuit for determining the characteristic
`impedance of said network equipment.
`5. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said connection
`establishing means is responsive to said protocol determin(cid:173)
`ing means output so that a workstation of a particular
`protocol type is connected with a network equipment of the
`same protocol type.
`6. For use with a system for configuring networks, said
`networks comprising a plurality of network workstations
`and a plurality of network equipment, each workstation and 40
`each network equipment being a protocol type of a set of
`protocol types, a method for automatically connecting a
`workstation of a particular protocol type with a network
`equipment of the same protocol type, each workstation of a
`particular protocol type having a unique physical character(cid:173)
`istic as compared to workstations of other protocol types,
`said method comprising the steps of:
`determining the protocol type of said set of protocol types
`of a first workstation by determining said unique physi-
`cal characteristic of said workstation, said protocol
`determining means generating an output indicative of
`said protocol type; and
`establishing a connection, based upon said output,
`between said first workstation and a network equipment
`having the same protocol type of said set of protocol
`types as said first workstation.
`7. The method defined in claim 6 wherein said unique
`physical characteristic