Wide area communication networking

Abstract

A wide area communications network ( 500 ) includes a first digital subscriber line ( 502 ). A first network interface device ( 504 ) connects to the digital subscriber line ( 502 ). The first network interface device ( 504 ) separates an ISDN channel ( 508 ) from a digital subscriber channel ( 510 ). An ISDN telephone ( 508 ) is connected to the network interface device ( 504 ). A protocol translator ( 512 ) is connected to the network interface device ( 504 ) by the digital subscriber channel ( 510 ). A hub ( 514 ) is connected to the protocol translator ( 512 ). A plurality of devices ( 516, 518 ) is connected to the hub ( 514 ). A digital subscriber line access multiplexer ( 506 ) is connected to the first digital subscriber line ( 502 ). The digital subscriber line access multiplexer ( 506 ) separates the digital subscriber channel from the ISDN channel ( 522 ). A public switched telephone network ( 523 ) is connected to the ISDN channel ( 522 ). An asynchronous transfer mode network ( 526 ) is connected to the DSLAM ( 506 ) by a first virtual circuit ( 524 ) of the digital subscriber channel. An ISP ( 528 ) is connected to the DSLAM ( 506 ) by a second virtual circuit ( 530 ) of the digital subscriber channel. A LAN 532 is connected to the ATM network ( 526 ) by the first virtual circuit ( 524 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A wide area communications network, comprising: 
 a first digital subscriber line;    a first network interface device connected to the digital subscriber line, the first network interface device separating an ISDN channel from a digital subscriber channel;    an ISDN telephone connected to the network interface device;    a protocol translator connected to the network interface device by the digital subscriber channel;    a hub connected to the protocol translator;    a plurality of devices connected to the hub;    a digital subscriber line access multiplexer connected to the first digital subscriber line, the digital subscriber line access multiplexer separating the digital subscriber channel from the ISDN channel;    a public switched telephone network connected to the ISDN channel;    an asynchronous transfer mode network connect to the digital subscriber line access multiplexer by a first virtual circuit of the digital subscriber channel;    an ISP connected to the digital subscriber line access multiplexer by a second virtual circuit of the digital subscriber channel; and    a local area network connected to the asynchronous transfer mode network by the first virtual circuit.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of devices include a computer.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of devices include a subscriber unit and a telephone connected to the subscriber unit.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further including a facsimile machine connected to the subscriber unit.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a digital facsimile machine connected to the hub.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a second digital subscriber line connecting the local area network to the asynchronous transfer mode network.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the local area network includes an ATM switch.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further including a plurality of computers connected to the ATM switch.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further including a second subscriber unit connected to the local area network.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further including a POTS telephone connected to the subscriber unit.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further including a facsimile machine coupled to the ATM switch.  
     
     
         12 . A wide area communications network, comprising: 
 a first subscriber location;    a first network interface device attached to the first subscriber location;    a first digital subscriber line connected to the first network interface device;    a first digital subscriber line access multiplexer connected to the first digital subscriber line;    an ATM network connected to the digital subscriber line access multiplexer;    a second digital subscriber line access multiplexer connected to the ATM network;    a second digital subscriber line connected to the second digital subscriber line access multiplexer;    a second subscriber location connected to the second digital subscriber line; and    a public switched telephone network connecting the first digital subscriber line access multiplexer to the second digital subscriber line access multiplexer.    
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further including a first ISP connected to the ATM network and a second ISP connected to the ATM network.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first subscriber location includes a first local area network.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first subscriber location includes a first telephone system.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first network interface device is connected to the first local area network, the first telephone system and the first digital subscriber line.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first local area network includes a subscriber unit and a telephone attached to the subscriber unit, the subscriber unit converting an analog telephone signal into a digital telephone signal.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the digital telephone signal is carried by a telephone virtual circuit.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the telephone virtual circuit terminates at the first ISP.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the telephone virtual circuit terminates at an interworking unit.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first local area network includes a facsimile machine.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the facsimile machine connects to the subscriber unit.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the facsimile machine is capable of receiving and sending a digitized facsimile transmission.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the digitized facsimile transmission is carried by a facsimile virtual circuit.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the telephone system receives a POTS signal from the first network interface device.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the telephone system receives an ISDN signal from the first network interface device.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the telephone system includes an ISDN compatible facsimile machine.  
     
     
         28 . A wide area communications network, comprising: 
 a first subscriber location having a first local area network and a first telephone system, the first local area network and the first telephone system connected to a first network interface device;    a first DSL line connected to the first network interface device;    a first DSLAM connected to the first DSL line, the first DSLAM separating a first DSL channel from a first telephony channel;    a public switched telephone network connected to the first telephony channel;    an ATM network connected to the first DSL channel;    a second DSLAM connected to the ATM network by a second DSL channel and connected to the public switched telephone network by a second telephony channel;    a second DSL line connected to the second DSLAM; and    a second subscriber location having a second network interface device connected to the second DSL line and connected to a second local area network and a second telephone system.    
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein a first virtual circuit is coupled between a first computer connected to the first local area network and a second computer connected to the second local area network.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the first virtual circuit is carried by the first DSL line, the ATM network and the second DSL line.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein a first switched circuit connects a first telephone in the first telephony system to a second telephone of the second telephony system.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the first switch circuit connects across the first DSL line, the public switched telephone network and the second DSL line.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein a network telephone is connected to the first local area network by a subscriber unit.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein a first hybrid circuit connects the first network telephone to the second telephone of the second telephony system.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the first hybrid circuit comprises: 
 a second virtual circuit connecting the first local area network to the first DSLAM and then to an interworking unit,    a second switched circuit connecting the interworking unit to the second DSL line through the public switched telephone network;    the second telephony channel of the second DSL line connecting to the second telephone.    
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the first hybrid circuit comprises: 
 a second virtual circuit connecting the first local area network to the first DSLAM and then through the ATM network to an ISP;    an internet telephony circuit connecting the ISP through the internet to an internet POP;    a second switched circuit connecting the internet POP to the second DSL;    the second telephony channel of the second DSL line connecting to the second telephone.    
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein a digital facsimile machine is connected to the first local area network.  
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein a second hybrid circuit connects the digital facsimile machine to a facsimile machine connected to the second telephony system.  
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the second hybrid circuit comprises: 
 a third virtual circuit connecting the first local area network to the first DSLAM and then to an interworking unit,    a third switched circuit connecting the interworking unit to the second DSL line through the public switched telephone network;    the second telephony channel of the second DSL line connecting to the facsimile machine.    
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the first subscriber location is in a first local access and transport area.  
     
     
         41 . The system of claim  40 , wherein the second subscriber location is in a second local access and transport area.