A local area network for intercomputer, interprocess data communications

With the ever increasing number of computers being used at Montana State University, a mechanism for exchanging data between these computers was needed. A local area network to interconnect mainframe, mini, and micro computers for the purpose of allowing programs running on different computers to intercommunicate was to be designed and implemented. The techniques of structured analysis and design were to be employed to provide a top-down hierarchical design for this network. This entailed reviewing the present systems used for interprocess communications, modeling a new system for intercomputer, interprocess communications, designing this system and implementing it on a number of computers. A local area network called STARNET, acronym for STAR topology NETwork, was designed to meet this need. STARNET consists of a set of computer programs which connect their computers together in a star shaped topology. One program resides on the star's central computer and performs the packet-switching functions to route packets between their origin and destination computers. The other programs reside on the star's point computers and provide network access to user programs running on these computers. An asynchronous RS-232 line is used to connect each point computer to the central computer, providing a cost effective network