Method and system for partitioning an extended network of 1394b devices into subclusters of fully capable and partially capable nodes

摘要

A method and system for allowing a network of devices (nodes) which conform to standards with different physical interfaces and communication protocols to share a communication link. In one embodiment of the present invention, a 1394a compliant node is connected to a partially compliant bi-lingual 1394b node. The partially compliant bi-lingual 1394b node is connected to a fully compliant 1394b node. Thus, the partially compliant bi-lingual 1394b node provides a bridge between the 1394a node and the fully compliant 1394b node. The fully compliant 1394b node has a physical interface in compliance with the 1394b standard and arbitrates according to either the 1394b standard or the 1394a standard. The partially compliant 1394b node has a physical interface in compliance with the 1394b standard but arbitrates according to the 1394a standard. The 1394a node has a physical interface in compliance with the 1394a standard and arbitrates according to the 1394a standard.