A method and apparatus for determining whether an alias (or entity name) is available for use in a communication system. A transmitting node or entity transmits a first signal including the alias over the communication system. The alias includes a zone name. If the transmitting node receives a reply signal to the first signal, then the alias is not available for use. Otherwise the alias is available for use. The transmitting node transmits the first signal to a first router connected to a first local network of the communication system. The first router forwards a second signal including the entity name from the first signal to other routers in the network until a second router connected to nodes having the zone name in the entity name is located. Each second router translates the second signal into a third signal which includes the alias, and using a first zone multicast address, multicasts the third signal to a first set of nodes. Each node of the first set of nodes determines whether the zone name contained within the alias is equal to a zone identifier for each node of the first set of nodes. Each node having the zone name determines whether the alias contained within the third signal is equal to alias information for the node. If an entity in the first set of nodes has the alias, then the entity transmits a reply signal, which includes its network address, to the transmitting node.
In an electronic network having a computer, a spooler and a printer, the network address of the printer is automatically detected by a method and a system in which a non-print job, which includes a job header identifying the sending computer, is generated by the computer and transmitted via the spooler to the printer. The printer responds by transmitting an acknowledgment which includes the network address of the printer, to the sending computer. The sending computer identifies and stores the printer address therein. Thereafter, the printer address stored at the computer can be used to provide direct communications with the printer, for purposes of certain printer related functions such as determining the printer configuration or set-up, or monitoring the printer.
A general type manager for managing connection addresses and connection types of a computer system, wherein the general type manager provides a first interface for interfacing between the general type manager and one or more application programs of the computer system, and the general type manager is adapted to perform a plurality of general type manager (gtm) functions called by the application programs. The general type manager also provides a second interface for interfacing between the general type manager and one or more type managers of the computer system, wherein a type manager supports at least one connection type, and each type manager is adapted to perform a plurality of type functions called by the general type manager in accordance with one or more gtm functions called by an application program. The plurality of gtm functions comprises a first gtm function for initializing the general type manager for use; a second gtm function for preparing the general type manager to be unloaded; a third gtm function for editing a connection address in accordance with a connection type of the connection address; and a fourth gtm function for creating and editing a new connection address of a connection type supported by the one or more type managers.
A method for joining and seceding from communications networks includes steps (a), (b) and (c). Step (a) is to register, at a first one of the communications networks indicated by first address information, second address information in first system definition information, the second address information registered in the first system definition information concerning the first one of the communications networks indicating a second one of the communications networks with which the first one of the communications networks requests to communicate. Step (b) is to register, at the first one of the communications networks, the second address information in second system definition information, the second address information registered in the second system definition information indicating that the first one of the communications networks is allowed to communicate with the second one of the communications networks. Step (c) is to assign, at the first one of the communications networks, a management number to the first address information and the second address information so as to be operatively linked together, whereby the first one of the communications networks can communicate with the second one of the communications networks by using the second system definition information referred to by the management number.
An electronic network system for implementing ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) and RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol) type communication. ARP type communication is facilitated by including within the ARP response packet an offset address indicating the memory location of the software application that is the subject of the ARP type communication. RARP type communication is facilitated by providing each network node with a network unique ID and using the unique ID when generating RARP requests.
An electronic network system for implementing ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) and RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol) type communication. ARP type communication is facilitated by including within the ARP response packet an offset address indicating the memory location of the software application that is the subject of the ARP type communication. RARP type communication is facilitated by providing each network node with a network unique ID and using the unique ID when generating RARP requests.
