NETWORKED VARIABLES

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for communicating information in a networked system wherein variables are employed to accomplish such communication. Network variables allow for standarized communication of data between nodes (301-305) in a network. A first node (301) may be programmed, for example, to sense certain information and to report the information as a network variable X. A second node (302) may be programmed to receive the variable X and to control devices based on the current value of the variable. The present invention provides for defining connections (201) between the first and second node to facilitate such communication and for determining addressing information to allow for addressing of messages, including updates to the value of the variable X, between the nodes.

Description: NETWORKED VARIABLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of systems for distributed computing, communication and control and, more specifically, communication of information between devices in a distributed computing environment. 2. DESCRIPTIONOFTHE RELATEDART In distributed computer systems it is necessary to provide for communication of information between nodes in the system. A number of methods for providing such communication are known in the art. These methods include message passing techniques in which messages are passed, over a medium, from one node to another in a network. In message passing techniques, messages are built by a sender node and sent to one or more receiver nodes. The message is then parsed by the receiver node in order to correctly interpret the data. Message passing allows the advantage of passing large amounts of data in an expected format. Of course, over time the format of the message may be required to change to support new applications or features. This typically leads to compatibility issues between nodes on the network. A second technique involves remote procedure calls in which a first node, requiring data which exists on a second node, calls a procedure executing on the second node where the data exists and requests the procedure to manipulate the data and provide a result to the first node. Remote procedure calls are typically suited to passing small amounts of data; however, a separate procedure call is typically required for each interchange. Therefore, it is likely in any networking system that over time additional procedure calls will be required in the network as new functions are carried out by the network. The addition of new procedure calls to certain nodes of the network leads to incompatibility between nodes, because the existing nodes do not know of and cannot execute the new remote procedure calls. A third technique for communication of data in a network involves data sharing. Bal, Henri E., Steiner, Jennifer G., and Tanenbaum, Andrew s., Programming Languages for Distributed Computing Systems. ACM Computing Surveys, Vol. 21 , No. 3, September, 1989, pp. 261-322 (hereinafter Bal et al.) describes certain data sharing techniques. A discussion of data sharing may be found in the Bal et al. article at pages 280, et seq. ( It should also be noted that a discussion of messaging may be found in the Bal et al. article at pages 276, et seq. along with a general overview of interprocess communication and synchronization.) Bal et al. describes how parts of a distributed program can communicate and synchronize through use of shared data. Bal et al. states that, if two processes have access to the same variable, communication can take place by one processor setting the variable and the other processor reading the variable. This communication is described as being allowed to take place whether the two processors are both running on a host where the shared data is stored and thus can manipulate the shared data directly, or if the processes are running on different hosts and access to the shared data is accomplished by sending a message to the host on which the shared data resides. Two types of shared data are described: (1) shared logical variables; and (2) distributed data structures. Briefly, shared logical variables are described as facilitating a communication channel between processes through a "single-assignment" property. Initially, a shared logical variable is unbound, but once a value is assigned to the variable the variable is considered to be bound. An example is provided in which the three goals of conjunction: goal (X, Y), goal_2 (X, Y), and goal_3 (X) are assumed and solved in parallel by processes P1 , P2 and P3. The variable X is initially unbound and represents a communication channel between the three processes. If any of the processes binds X to a value, the other processes can use this value. Likewise, Y is a channel between P1 and P2. Processes synchronize by suspending on unbound variables. For example, if Y is to be used to communicate information from P1 to P2, then P2 may suspend until Y is bound by P1. It should be emphasized that in the described concept of shared logical variables, the term binding is used to describe a process of assigning a value to a variable. As will be seen below, the term binding is also used to describe the present invention, however, the meaning of the term is significantly different and the reader is cautioned to avoid confusion between the concepts represented by these two uses of this term. Generally, in the present invention, the term binding is used to indicate a process of associating a variable of one node with a variable of at least one other node. It is not necessary that the variable of either node has yet been assigned a data value. Distributed data structures are data structures which may be manipulated simultaneously by several processes. In concept, all processes share one global memory termed "tuple space" or TS. The elements of TS are ordered sequences of values, similar to records in a language such as Pascal. Three operations may take place on TS: (1) "OUT" adds a tuple to TS; (2) "READ" reads a tuple from TS; and (3) "IN" reads a tuple from TS and deletes it from TS. Thus, in order to change the value of a tuple in TS it is necessary to first perform an IN operation, then to manipulate the data, and then perform an OUT operation. The requirement that a tuple must first be removed by the IN operation makes it possible to build distributed systems without conflict between accesses by the various processes. Bal et al. contrasts distributed data structures with interprocess communication techniques noting that communication accomplished by distributed data structures is anonymous. A process reading a tuple from TS does not know or care which other process inserted the tuple. Further, a process executing an OUT does not specify which process the tuple is intended to be read by. Bal et al. states that in concept distributed data structures utilizing the tuple space implement conceptually a shared memory, although in implementation a physical shared memory is not required. However, as can be seen, in a system utilizing such distributed data structures a single copy of the data is stored in tuple space whether or not such tuple space is implemented as a single physical shared memory. Separate copies of the data are not maintained for the various processes or on the various hosts, in fact, maintaining separate copies would lead to data conflict possibilities as the various nodes attempted to coordinate updates of the variable between the various process and hosts. Thus, the reason for requiring use of the IN command to delete a tuple before allowing manipulation of the data represented by the tuple. The present invention discloses a networked communication system which is perhaps closest in certain concepts to the described distributed data structures. However, it can, of course, be appreciated that certain advantages may be gained from development of a system which utilizes certain features of distributed data structures while retaining flexibility in allowing multiple copies of a data value to be stored on the various nodes. The present invention discloses certain improved programming language and data structure support for communication, sensing and control as may be used by nodes of the present invention. It is known in the art to allow for scheduling of tasks through use of a programming statement such as a "when" clause or the like. However, in known systems such tasks may only be scheduled to be executed on the occurrence of a predefined event such as may be defined by the compiler writer. Examples of such events typically include expiration of a timer or input pin state changes. Such known systems do not allow for definitions of events, other than such predefined events. It has been discovered that it is useful to provide for definition of events as any valid programming language statement which may be evaluated to a true or false condition. Of course, any number of known systems allow for declaration of variables and when declaring such variables certain parameters may be specified which may be set to a state indicative of a desired characteristic of the variable. For example, a variable may be declared as input or output, as a given variable type (e.g., boolean, numeric, etc.). However, once declared such characteristics are static and may only be changed by changing the source program which declares the variables, ft has been discovered that it would be useful to provide for a system in which the state of at least certain parameters may be changed during system configuration allowing for greater flexibility in optimizing the system of the preferred embodiment. Finally, in known systems it is necessary to call certain I/O library procedures to declare and use I/O devices. Such calls to I/O procedures may be quite complex and require significant skill on the part of the programmer to properly code and utilize the routines. The present invention discloses a system having improved methods for declaration and use of I/O devices. OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide for improved communication of information between nodes of a distributed network. It is more specifically an object of the present invention to provide for improved communication of information in a highly distributed computer system in which a problem may be broken down into small units in which each node accomplishes a small part of the entire application. In such a system, data communication may be typically accomplished in relatively small units of data — however, significant communication of data between nodes of the network is required. It is further an object of the present invention to provide for improved communication of information in a distributed computing system by allowing for standard communication techniques between nodes. ft is still further an object of the present invention to provide for improved communication of information by providing certain facilities, structures and tools for such communication. It is also an object of the present invention to provide improved data structures and programming language support for communication and other aspects of the present invention. As one aspect of providing such improved data structures and programming language support, it is one aspect of the present invention to provide for declaration of variables having configurable parameters leading to improved ability to maintain and optimize networks of the present invention. As another aspect of providing such improved data structures and programming language support, it is desired to provide for increased ease in declaring and communicating with I/O devices of the present invention. As still another aspect of providing such improved data structures and programming language support, it is desired to provide for improved scheduling functions allowing for use of programmer-defined or predefined events in scheduling of tasks to be executed. It is also an object of the present invention to provide simplified installation and ne work maintenance. Such an objective may be accomplished by storing in each node the node's application interface such that nodes may identify themselves and their application requirements to a network management node at installation time and when it is necessary to recover the complete network database. To accomplish such a simplified installation and maintenance objective, it is a further objective of the present invention to define an interface file format which may efficiently store and allow retrieval of such identification and application requirement information. These and other objects of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A network for communicating information having at least a first and second node is described in which each node includes data storage for storing data representing a variable V and further includes a processor coupled with the data storage. In the case of the first node, the processor may manipulate and write to new values to the variable V. After having updated the variable V with a new value, the processor then assembles and communicates a packet for transmission on the network. The packet includes the new data value for the variable V. The second node then receives the packet and stores the new value for the variable V in its data storage. In particular, during programming of the first node, it is declared as a writer of the variable V and likewise during programming of the second node, it is declared as a reader of the variable V. During configuration of the network, a communication connection between the first node and the second node is defined and during later communication of message packets, addressing of message packets between the various nodes is accomplished through use of address tables based on the definition of such connections. Further, it is disclosed to utilize a standardized set of variable types in accomplishing such communication. Use of a standardized set of variable types leads to increased compatibility between nodes of different manufacture as well as increased ease in configuring networks. Finally, certain extensions are provided to standard programming languages to provide for increased ease of use of the data communication features of the present invention. These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art with further reference to the below Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a logical view of a configuration of devices as may be networked using methods and apparatus of the present invention. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the network of Figure 1 as may be accomplished by the present invention. Figure 3(a) is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the. network of Figure 1 as may be accomplished by the present invention. Figure 3(b) is a second diagram illustrating the second embodiment of Figure 3(a) and including a logical view of certain connections of nodes of the network. Figure 4 is an overall block diagram of a single node of the present invention coupled with a communication medium. Figure 5 is an overall flow diagram illustrating a method of programming and configuring a network as may be accomplished by the present invention. Figure 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for defining hardware requirements of a node as may be utilized by the present invention. Rgure 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for defining network and logical parameters of a node as may be utilized by the present invention. Figure 8(a) is a flow diagram illustrating a method for defining connections among network variables as may be utilized by the present invention. Figure 8(b) is a flow diagram illustrating a method for binding network variables as may be utilized by the present invention. Figure 9 is an illustration of certain data structures which may be utilized by the present invention. Figure 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of configuring a network using standard network variable types, as may be utilized by the present invention. Figure 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of declaring and configuring a network variable as may be used by the present invention. Figure 12 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of declaring and accessing I/O devices as may be utilized by the present invention. For ease of reference, it might be pointed out that reference numerals in ail of the accompanying drawings typically are in the form "drawing number" followed by two digits, xx; for example, reference numerals on Figure 1 may be numbered 1xx; on Figure 9, reference numerals may be numbered 9xx. In certain cases, a reference numeral may be introduced on one drawing, e.g., reference numeral 201 illustrating a communication medium, and the same reference numeral may be utilized on other drawings to refer to the same item. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An improved computer network including facility for communication of information between nodes in the network is described. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. OVERVIEW OF THE NETWORK OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The network of the preferred embodiment is of the type which provides for sensing, control and communication. The network of the present invention and nodes utilized within the network of the present invention are described in greater detail with reference to United States ' Patent No. 4.918.690 Markkula et al. titled "Network and intelligent cell for providing sensing, bi-directional communications and control", which patent is assigned to the assignee of the present invention (referred to herein as the '690 patent). In an exemplary network, the network of the present invention may provide for sensing of current environmental factors and control of apparatus affecting the environmental factors. Further, the network may allow for communication of information packets providing information on the environmental factors between nodes in the network. The present application will utilize, as an example, a network for control of fans based on sensing and communicating information regarding temperature in different zones in a controlled environment. It might be worthwhile noting that in an expected scenario, various manufacturers will include a node of the type defined by the present invention in their products. For example, a thermostat manufacturer may include such a node in its thermostats. A fan manufacturer may include such a node in its fans. The various nodes may be programmed for specific applications by their respective manufacturers and, when configured in an environmental control system, are useful for communication, sensing and control between various components of the system. A node of the preferred embodiment is illustrated in block diagram form with reference to Figure 4. Such nodes may be programmed, for example, using the "C" computer programming language. As one aspect of the present invention, certain extensions have been provided to the "C" language to facilitate network communications. As a further and important aspect of the present invention, network variables are described which provide for communication of information between nodes of the network. A network variable may be thought of as a data object shared by multiple nodes where some nodes are "readers" and some nodes are "writers" of the object. This will be discussed in greater detail below. A network as mav be implemented utilizing the present invention Referring now to Figure 1 , a logical view of a network as may utilize the present invention is shown. The network may, for example, include three separate temperature sensors 115-117 located in three separate zones of a building for sensing and communicating temperature information. The network may further include two control cells 101 and 121 coupled to receive temperature information from the sensors 115-117 and to control two fans 131-132 (by turning the fans 131-132 on and off). In the exemplary network, network variable temp_out 151 is coupled to a first network variable temperature input 102 of control cell 101. Network variable temp_out 152 is coupled with a second network variable temperature input 104 of control cell 101. In the illustrated embodiment, a third network variable temperature input 103 is not utilized. On/Off control network variable 105 of control cell 101 is coupled to control an input network variable, On/Off, of a fan 131. Thus, in this embodiment, sensing a temperature above a given level in the zone of the building sensed by temperature sensor 115 or by temperature sensor 116 will cause fan 131 to be turned on. Likewise, when the temperature in these zones is again lowered below a given level, the fan 131 may be turned off. Network variable temp_out 152 is also coupled to a first temperature input network variable 22 of control cell 121. In addition, network variable temp_out 153 is coupled to a second temperature input network variable 123 of control cell 121. A third temperature input 124 of control cell 121 is not utilized in this embodiment. Control cell 121 is coupled through an On/Off control output network variable 125 to control fan 132. Thus, sensing a temperature above a given level in the zone of the building sensed by temperature sensor 116 or by temperature sensor 117 will cause fan 132 to be turned on. Likewise, when the temperature in these zones is again lowered below a given level, the fan 132 may be turned off. As is appreciated, in the described configuration, when temperature sensor 116 detects a high temperature, both fan 131 and fan 132 are turned on. Figure 1 has been labeled to illustrate logical connections between the various components. Connection 141 is illustrated as the connection between temperature sensor 115 and control cell 101. Connection 142 is illustrated as the connection including temperature sensor 116, control cell 101 and control cell 121. Connection 143 is illustrated as the connection between control cell 101 and fan 131. Connection 144 is illustrated as the connection between sensor 117 and control cell 121. Connection 145 is illustrated as the connection between control cell 121 and fan 132. The connection of network variables will be discussed in greater detail below. However, ft may now be useful to introduce three new terms: network variables, readers, and writers. In addition, general definitions for certain other terms used in this specification may be found with reference to Table XV. As one important aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides for allocation and use of network variables by processes running on nodes in a network. As stated above, network variables may be thought of as a data object shared by multiple nodes where some nodes are "readers" of the object and other nodes are "writers" of the object. Additionally, a node may be both a reader and a writer with "turnaround". Writing with turnaround is discussed in greater detail below. Although the data object may be thought of as being shared by multiple nodes, as will be understood from the discussion below, the network variable of the preferred embodiment is not stored in shared memory but rather separate memory is provided in each of the multiple nodes to store a copy of the data object. A writer node may modify the value of the data object and all reader nodes of that network variable have their memories updated to reflect the change. Thus, for example, each of the temperature sensors 115-117 may run a process which declares a data object as follows: network output boolean temp_high. Each of the controller ceils 101 and 121 may declare data objects as follows: network input boolean temp_high network output boolean fan_on. Each of the fans 131-132 may declare a data object as follows: network input boolean fan_on. The complete syntax for declaration of network variables in the system of the preferred embodiment is given in Table VIII. The keyword "network" indicates the data object is a network variable. A network variable declared as output will result in transmission of the new value of the network variable on the ne work when the program stores the variable — hus, nodes having declared an output network variable are considered writer nodes for that variable. For example, each time a process running on temperature sensor 115 stores the variable temp iigh, a network message is generated communicating the new value of temp_high. The message is communicated to all reader nodes connected in connection_1 141, i.e., to control cell 101. In the case of temperature sensor 116 changing the value of its temp_high variable, a message is generated and transmitted to all nodes connected in connection_2 142, i.e., to both control cell 101 and to control cell 121. The process for configuring connections as disclosed by the present invention will be discussed in greater detail below. Although the preferred embodiment declares nodes as either writers or readers of network variables, ft should be noted that in an alternative embodiment a node may be declared as a both a reader and writer of a particular variable. Such an embodiment may be envisioned without departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It might be that the present invention in its preferred embodiment allows an output network variable to be initialized using an initialization command without causing a message to be transmitted on the network. Using this command, a node may be initially configured or reset without affecting other nodes on the network. Network variables declared as input may change values asynchronously with program execution — this declaration is used for "reader" nodes. In the preferred embodiment, input network variables may also change values at program initialization or at other points under program control; however, the changed value will not be transmitted on the network. At anytime, a reader node may force an update of its input network variables utilizing a polling function of the present invention. When this function is called, the specified network variables are updated by requesting over the network the current value from the writer node or nodes. This facility may be useful, for example, after a node reset to allow the node to determine the current value of network variables without need to wait until the next time the writer nodes update the value of those variables. Thus, temperature sensors 115-117 are writer nodes of the variable temp iigh. Control cells 101 and 121 are reader nodes of the variable tempjiigh and also are writer nodes of the variable fan_on. Fans 131-132 are reader nodes of the variable fan_on. Of course, many other applications and configurations are within the scope of the teachings of the present invention and the network described with reference to Figure 1 is merely exemplary. It should be noted that multiple readers and multiple writers may be provided within a single connection without departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Multiple readers are illustrated with reference to connection_2 142. Multiple writers have not been illustrated by Figure 1. However, variation in which multiple writers are employed will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the aft. Turning to Figure 2, an embodiment of the network of Figure 1 is illustrated in which each of cell 101, cell 121, temperature sensor 115, temperature sensor -116, temperature sensor 117, fan 131 and fan 132 are each coupled to communicate over common communication medium 201. The communication medium 201 may be, for example, twisted pair wiring, radio frequency, power lines, or other communication channels or multiple physical channels connected together with bridges and/or routers. In this embodiment, and in order to accomplish the connections illustrated by Figure 1 , temperature sensor 115 must be configured to address and communicate with cell 101 ; temperature sensor 116 must be configured to address and communicate with cell 101 and cell 121 ; temperature sensor 117 must be configured to address and communicate with cell 121 ; control cell 101 must be configured to address and communicate with fan 131 ; and control cell 121 must be configured to address and communicate with fan 132. Of course, providing for such addressing may be and typically is a significant task. It is appreciated that each of control cells 101 and 121 , temperature sensors 115-117 and fans 131-132 may be engineered, programmed and/or manufactured by different sources. Further, although the exemplary network is, in itself, complicated having 5 separate connections, 141-145, it can of course be imagined that other networks may be substantially more complicated having even hundreds or more connections. Therefore, the present invention implements methods and apparatus which allow for straightforward and efficient configuration of nodes in a network. Turning now to Figure 3(a), a modified embodiment of the configuration of Figure 2 is illustrated. In this embodiment, controller cells 101 and 121 have been removed from the configuration and each of temperature sensors 115-117 and fans 131-132 are illustrated as comprising nodes 301-305, respectively. These nodes are preferably of the type which are capable of sensing, communicating and controlling as have been described in the '690 patent and which are shown in greater detail with reference to Figure 4. Thus, these nodes 301-305 are capable of replacing certain control functions of the control cells 101 and 121, eliminating the need for separate control cells in the described embodiment. In the embodiment of Figure 3(a), and in order to accomplish the logical connections illustrated by Figure 1 , node 301 must be configured to communicate with node 304; node 302 must be configured to communicate with nodes 304 and 305; and node 303 must be configured to communicate with node 305. Again it is important to note that the temperature sensors 115-117 and fans 131-132 may be manufactured by different sources. It is preferable that the manufacturing sources are not required to have prior knowledge as to what devices their products will communicate with in a network. Thus, the manufacturer of temperature sensor 115 is preferably not required to be aware, during programming and manufacture of temperature sensor 115, whether temperature sensor 115 will be configured in a network to communicate with a controller cell, such as controller cell 101 (as shown in Figure 2), or to communicate directly with a fan, such as fan 131 (as shown in Figure 3(a)), or even with some other device (perhaps a heater, air conditioner, fire extinguishing equipment, etc.). Likewise, it is preferable that the manufacturer of fans 131-132 are similarly allowed to manufacture devices without requirement of prior knowledge as to the eventual uses of those devices in a network. In order to allow for such flexibility in configuring networks and to allow for efficient communication between nodes in a network, the present invention provides network variables which may be used to facilitate standards of communication between nodes in the network. Table I illustrates a temperature sensor control program as may be used to program nodes 301-303 coupled with temperature sensors 115-117. As can be seen, the program of Table I is written to communicate onto the medium 201 a network variable indicative of the state of tempjn. The value of this variable may be, for example, used by a control program runn.ng on a control cell, such as control cell 101 or 121 , or used directly by a control program running on a fan, such as fans 131-132. Table II illustrates a fan control program which may be used for controlling a fan such as fans 131-132 by turning the fan on and off responsive to receiving changes in state of a network variable on_off. As can be seen, the program of Table II is written to allow receiving from the medium 201 the network variable on_off as a binary network variable regardless of the source (e.g., whether from a control cell such as control cell 101 or 121 , or directly from a temperature sensor, such as temperature sensor 115-117). Table III illustrates a binding set which connects temperature sensors 115-117 with fans 131-132 as illustrated by Figure 3(a). Figure 3(b) is provided to further an understanding of the binding set. As can be seen, the binding set provides for three connections illustrated as tempi .controls 321 , temp2_controls 322, and temp3__controls 323 of Figure 3(b). The connection tempi .controls connects the output variable tempjiigh of temperature sensor 115 with the input variable fan_on of fan 131. The connection temp2_controls connects the output variable tempjiigh of temperature sensor 116 with the input variable fan_on of both fan 131 and fan_2 132. Finally, the connection temp3_controls connects the output variable tempjiigh of temperature sensor 117 with the input variable fan_on of fan _2 132. It should be noted that although tables I, II and III illustrate programs which are useful for illustrative concepts of the present invention, an attempt has not been made to ensure these programs are syntactically correct. Rather, these programs are provided for the exemplary teaching of concepts of the present invention, ft is understood from an examination of the programs of tables I and II that the program of Table I may write the variable tempjiigh without regard to the eventual recipient of the variable and likewise the program of Table II may read the variable fan_on without regard to the writer node of the variable. Thus, these programs work equally well in a network such as illustrated by Figure 2 including separate control cells 101 and 121 or in a network such as illustrated by Figure 3(a) which does not include such control cells. The binding set illustrated by Table III determines the relationship between the various nodes of the network. Table IV illustrates a binding set which may be used to establish connections in a network such as illustrated by Figure 2. A node of the present invention Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of a node such as nodes 301-305 as may be utilized by the present invention. The node 421 is coupled in communication with medium 201 through control 411 , clock and timer circuitry 412, and communication port 408. In addition, the node provides a general purpose I/O port 407 allowing for communication with various external devices. The node further comprises three separate processors 404-406, a read only memory (ROM) 403, a random access memory 402, and an EEPROM 401. The processors 404-406 are useful for executing programs such as the programs illustrated in Tables I and II, as well as other communication, control and operating programs. The ROM 403 may be useful for storing such programs. As will be seen, the EEPROM 401 may be useful for storing certain data values which, although configurable, are not subject to frequent changes in value. Each of the processors 404-406, ROM 403, RAM 402, EEPROM 401 , control 411 , clock 412, I/O port 407, and communication port 408 are coupled in communication through internal address bus 410, internal data bus 420 and timing and control lines 430. PROGRAMMING AND CONFIGURING A NETWORK OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Turning now to Figure 5, steps for programming and configuring a network of the present invention are illustrated. It should be noted that steps illustrated by Figure 5 are implemented in a development system which allows for development and management of networks such as may be implemented by the present invention. However, certain of these steps may also take place outside of the development environment (e.g., connection of network variables and binding). The development system is an integrated hardware and software environment that operates in conjunction with a host computer, an IBM PC/AT compatible in the currently preferred embodiment, allowing a manufacturer or other party to design and build components compatible for communication with a network of the present invention. The development system includes an IBM PC/AT-compatible computer having an interface adapter card for coupling with a control processor located in a separate card cage. In addition to the control processor, the card cage may hold other cards designed to emulate routing functions in a network and transceiver evaluation boards allowing evaluation of the physical interface with various media, e.g., twisted pair, power line, or radio frequency. Initially certain hardware parameters are defined for each node in the network, block 501. This step includes naming or otherwise identifying the node, block 601. A node type is specified, block 602. In the development environment, the node type may be specified as the control processor, an emulator board, or a custom node type. The location of the node is then specified— the location specifies whether or not the node resides in a card cage and, if the node resides in a card cage, the card cage number and slot number, block 603. Next, the channel to which the node is connected is specified, block 604, and the channel's priority is specified, block 605. If the node has been assigned the priority privilege, then the node's priority is set at this time. Finally, certain hardware properties may be specified, block 605. Hardware properties may include model numbers for the node, clock rates, operating system revision levels, ROM size, RAM size, EEPROM size, RAM start address, and EEPROM start address. Finally, the hardware definitions are downloaded to the node, block 606. Next, network and certain logical parameters are specified for each node, block 502. Currently, this step involves specifying a node name, block 701 , and then specifying a program file, block 702, and hardware device name, block 703 associated with the node. Hardware names were specified above in step 601. Program files will be discussed in greater detail below in connection with block 503. The definition of the node is then saved, block 704. The development environment provides an editor for developing and editing program code, block 503, such as the code illustrated in tables I and II. The preferred embodiment allows programming in the "C" language and, further, provides certain extensions to the "C" language which will be discussed in greater detail below. After developing program code, the programs are compiled, linked and loaded as executable programs, block 504, onto the nodes specified in definition of network and logical parameters, block 502. Connections are then specified for the network, block 505. This step is better illustrated with reference to Figure 8(a). Initially, a connection name is entered (for example, the connection names specified in the binder script of Table III are tempi .controls, temp2_controls and temp3_controls), block 801. In the preferred embodiment, the connection name is entered as a unique name having from one to 16 characters consisting of letters, numbers and underscores; no spaces are allowed. Next, a node name is selected, block 802. In the preferred embodiment, a list of defined nodes (i.e., nodes which have been previously defined as described in connection with block 502) is displayed and a valid node name may be selected from the displayed list. For example, the node temp_sensor_1 may be selected. After selecting a node name, block 802, a network variable name is selected, block 803. Again, a list of network variable names for the selected node are preferably displayed and a network variable name is selected from the displayed list. For example, the network variable tempjiigh may be selected. After completing this process for a first node, a second node may be selected, block 804. Again, a node list is preferably displayed and the second node is selected from the displayed node list. For example, the node fan may be selected. A network variable associated with the second node is then selected, block 805, again preferably from a displayed list. Continuing the example, the selected network variable may be fan_on. Finally, certain parameters may be set, block 806. In the preferred embodiment, settable parameters include the retry count set to the maximum number of times the message will be sent, the retry timer for acknowledged services, and the repeat timer for unacknowledged/repeated messages. This aspect of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail below. The connection is then added to a connection list using an add function, block 807. It is noted that if additional nodes are to be connected in the connection, they are specified in a similar manner to the first and second nodes after having specified the first and second nodes. An example of such a connection is illustrated in Table III as temp2_controls which includes three nodes: tβmp_sβnsor_2, fan and fan_2. The process of Figure 8(a) is repeated for each desired connection. In the case of the binding set of Table III, the process is repeated three times: (1) once for the connection named tempi _contro Is; (2) once for the connection named temp2_controls; and (3) once for the connection named temp3_controls. In the case of the binding set of Table IV, the process is repeated five times, once for each of connection_1, connection_2, connection_3, connection_4, and connection 5. ln the preferred embodiment, the output of the connection process is a binary script file that provides commands to drive the subsequent binding process. In order to provide a textual version of what this binary file looks like, Table III and Table IV have been provided. It is also within the power of one of ordinary skill in the art to develop a graphical user interface for drawing the connections between iconic representations of the nodes and creating a binder script based on such drawings. Finally, the network variables are bound, block 506, to their respective nodes in order to allow communication within the connections defined during execution of the steps of Figure 8(a). The preferred method of binding network variables is described in greater detail with reference to Figure 8(b). Initially, the list of connections developed during execution of the steps of Figure 8(a) is read, block 821. Then, certain type checking and message constraint checking is performed for each connection, block 822. The type and message constraint checking includes the following checks: (1) Ensure that there are at least two members in each connection; (2) Ensure that there is at least one output member and one input member for each connection; (3) In the preferred embodiment, no more than one input and one output network variable from the same node may appear in the same connection; (4) A warning is given if polled output variables are not attached to at least one polled input; (5) An estimate for message rates may be declared for network variables; a warning is given if the estimated message rates do not match for all members of a connection; (6) Network variables may be synchronized or non-synchronized — a warning message is provided if synchronized variables are bound to non-synchronized variables; (7) Network variables may be sent as authenticated— a warning is provided if some, but not all, members of a connection are declared as authenticated; and (8) Variable types are checked field-by-field for size and sign type matching and for type definition matching. The currently preferred list of type definitions are provided in Table V. After completing type and message rate constraint checking, the addressing mode for the network variable is determined, block 824. If there is only one destination (e.g., tempi _controls), subnet-node addressing is used using the subnetnode structure given below to create an entry in address table 901. Address table 901 will be discussed in greater detail below. The address entered in the address table 901 is the address of the destination node (e.g., in the case of tempi .controls, the address of fan is entered in the address table of temp_sensorJ ; conversely, the address of temp_sensorJ is entered in the address table of fan to allow for such functions as polling of the current status of the network variable). The address table index entry 912 is set to correspond to the location in the address table 901 corresponding with the address entered in the address table 901. For example, in the case of the bind set of Table ill, if the address of FANJ is entered as a network address 913 in the address table 901 at entry 001 , the address table index entry 912 of the network variable table 903 corresponding to the network variable id assigned to the connection tempi .controls is written with the address 001. In this way, whenever messages are sent on the network by temp_sensorJ indicating the value of tempjiigh has been updated, the address table index is used to lookup the address of the destination node of such a message. A message is then sent, addressed to the destination node, including the network variable id and the new value. The destination node then receives the message and is able to update the value of its corresponding network variable "fan_on". If there is more than one destination node (e.g., temp2_controls), group addressing is used using the above group address structure to create an entry in the address table 901. In the case of group addressing, a set of sender and destinations for the network variable is constructed. For example, in the case of the connection temp2_controls, the set of sender and destinations includes temp_sensor_2, fanj and fan_2. Other optimization steps are also provided by the binder of the preferred embodiment and are described in further detail below. After determining an addressing mode, for each unique set of sender and destinations (unique without respect to which nodes are senders and which nodes are receivers), a group address is assigned to the set, block 825. The group address is propagated to the address table of each of the nodes in the set and stored in their respective address tables 901. The address table index value 912 for the entry corresponding to the group address is updated to index the address table 901 at the new entry. For example, groupl is defined to include temp_sensor_2, fanj and fan_2 and the group address is stored at entry 002 of the address table 901. Then, the address table index 912 for each of the three nodes tβmp_sensor_2, fan_1 and fan_2 is updated to point to the new address table entry. For group address table entries, as described above, only the output network variable nodes actually set their network variable table entries to index the address table. The nodes with input network variables will not index the address table. This allows the same network variable to reside in several network variable connections, and many network variable groups. When an incoming message arrives for one of these input network variables, the correct network variable table entry is found using the network variable ID (the software matches the network variable ID in the message to one in the table). This "intersecting connection" ability makes the network variable concept more powerful by allowing the same variable to be updated by several groups, thus reducing both the overall network traffic and reducing network variable table space by sharing the same table entry among several connections. Finally, a single network variable identification number (netvarJD) is assigned to each network variable in the connection, block 823. This may be better understood with reference to Figure 9 which illustrates a network variable table 902 having a network variable identification field 911 and an address table index field 912. Further, an address table 901 is illustrated having a network address field 913. It should be noted that these tables preferably reside in each individual node's EEPROM 401 and have additional fields in the preferred embodiment. However, for simplicity only the above-mentioned fields are illustrated in Figure 9. The network variable table is preferably of a structure as follows: struct nv able { unsigned priority :1 ; / * 1 -priority network variable, O-non-priority nv7 unsigned dir:1 ; /"direction 0-input, 1 -output * / unsigned kJhi:6; Λnetwork variable id, most significant bits * / unsigned kilo; Tnetwork variable id, least significant bits * / unsigned ta:1; Λturnaround: 1- turnaround * / unsigned st:2: "service*/ unsigned auth:1 ; / * authenticated: 1 -authenticated * / unsigned addr:4 /"address table index * / }: where the priority field indicates whether messages to update the network variable are to be sent as priority or non-priority messages; direction indicates the direction of the target ID, for example, a network variable update going from an output variable to an input variable would have the direction bit set to a 0; the network variable id is a 14 bit identification number allowing for a maximum of 16,384 unique network variables per domain in the network and corresponds to the network variable id 911 of Figure 9; turnaround indicates an output network variable may be connected to an input network variable of the same node; service indicates whether acknowledged or unacknowledged services is utilized; auth indicates whether message are authenticated prior to being accepted and processed by identifying the sender node through an authentication process; priority indicates whether messages are transmitted as priority or normal messages; and the address table index corresponds to address table index 912 and is an index into the address table 901. The Address Table preferably follows one of two formats given below; the first format is for group address table entries and the second format is for single destination node address table entries: struct group { unsigned type:1 ; /"indicates whether the structure is for a group or single node*/ unsigned size:7; /"group size (0 for groups > 128 members * / unsigned domain:"!; domain reference * / unsigned member:7; Λ node's member # (0 for groups > 128 members*/ unsigned rpttimer:4; /"unacknowledged message service repeat timer * / unsigned retry:4; Λretry count * / unsigned rcvtimer:4; /"receive timer index*/ unsigned tx_timer:4; /"transmit timer index 7 int group; /"group id*/ struct subnetnode { unsigned type ; /"indicates whether the structure is for a group or single node*/ unsigned domain:1 ; Λdomain reference*/ unsigned node:7; Λnode's #7 unsigned rpttimer:4; Tunacknowledged message sen/ice repeat timer*/ unsigned retry:4; /"retry count*/ unsigned rsvd:4; "reserved*/ unsigned tx_timer:4; /"transmit timer index 7 int subnet; Λsubπet*/ } It should be noted here that many of the present invention's concepts of groups, domains, subnets, acknowledged messages, etc. are described in greater detail with reference to United States Patent Application Serial Number 07/621 ,737 filed December 3, 1990 titled Network Communication Protocol (the 737 application) which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and which is incorporated herein by reference. Continuing with the description of assigning a network variable id to a connection, block 823, the first unassigned network id is assigned to the connection and the network variable id is written to the network variable table 902 for e_ch node using the network. Thus, in the above example, the network variable id 000000000000002 may be assigned to the connection tempi .controls of Table III; the network variable id 000000000000012 may be assigned to the connection temp2_controis of Table III; and the network variable id 000000000000102 may be assigned to the connection temp3_controls of Table III. It should be noted that network variable ids need not be unique domain wide, but only need be unambiguous within the nodes involved. Certain advantages gained through use of network variables have now been described such as the ability to automatically generate network addressing schemes from application level connections. In addition to allowing for such ease of use, network variables lead to generally smaller and less complicated application programs over other forms of network communication, such as prior art messaging techniques. Tables V and VI better illustrate differences between and certain advantages of use of the present invention's techniques over, for example, prior messaging techniques. Table V is a program written using network variables of the present invention. Table VI is a functionally equivalent program written using prior art messaging techniques. It is useful to note the comparative program statistics at the end of each program listing in which it is shown that the message program requires 626 bytes of ROM; 177 bytes of EEPROM; and 1314 bytes of RAM. By way of comparison, the network variables program requires only 335 bytes of ROM while using 231 bytes of EEPROM and only 1126 bytes of RAM. SELF-IDENTIFYING STANDARD NETWORK VARIABLE TYPES it is desirable to provide for interoperability between nodes in a network. To provide for such interoperability, it is necessary to assure compatibility between network variables in the various nodes of a network. To facilitate such compatibility, as one feature of the present invention, a list of standard network variable types is provided by the assignee of the present invention. The currently preferred list of standard network variable types is provided as Table VII. By utilizing the list of standard network variable types, nodes in the network may be interrogated for information on the network variables employed by the node and the network may then be configured based on this information. This process is better illustrated with reference to Figure 10. Initially, a node which must be configured is coupled to the network medium, block 1001. After the node is coupled to the medium, an address of the node may be determined through any number of methods. At least one of such methods is described with reference to the 737 application. After having determined an address for the node, messages may be communicated to the node over the medium. In the preferred embodiment, a network management node is coupled to the medium which is useful for configuring the network. The network management node may communicate a command to the new node requesting its information on the network variables employed by the node, block 1002, or may alternatively read such information from a file which has already been placed in the network management node's memory. In the preferred embodiment, in order to allow for the information to be stored in the network management node's memory, such information is made available for importation into the network management node via a binder interface file (BIF). The BIF file is a byproduct of the compilation process for each node, and contains all the information necessary to install the node on the network. This information is also referred to as the exposed interface of the node. The BIF file for a new node may by provided to the network management node prior to installation of the new node on the network in order to allow a complete network database to be constructed in advance of, and separate from, the physical installation of the new node on the network. For example, the BIF file may be supplied to the network management node on diskette, over phone lines, or on through other computer readable media. Information equivalent to the information stored in the BIF file is also preferably stored in the memory of the node. In this case the preferred embodiment confines the application writer to use of a list of standard network variable types when developing an application program designed to run on the node. The list of standard network variable types used by the system of the preferred embodiment is enumerated in Table VII. Use of the list of standard network variables minimizes the required space for storing the exposed interface in the node's memory. Storing the exposed interface in the node's memory offers the advantage of allowing the information to be retrieved without need for the network management node to include a floppy disk drive or other device for receiving externally communicated computer readable information. However, absent the option of providing the BIF file over such an external interface, the node must be physically connected on the same network with the network management node prior to construction of the network database. In the preferred embodiment, both options are available and the choice of how the exported interface is imported into the network management node is left up to the node designer. The file layout for the BIF file of the preferred embodiment is given in Table IX. An example of a BIF file is given in Table X. This exemplary BIF file has been generated for the program given in Table V. As was mentioned, in the preferred embodiment nodes may utilize the standard network variable types in declaration of network variables. The information describing its network variables is communicated (or exposed) by the node to the network management node, block 1003, using standard messaging features of the network. It will be understood that in alternative embodiments, information describing other, non-standard variable types may also be communicated in a manner similar to communicating the information on standard network variables. The network management node receives the exposed network variable information, block 1004, and may then use information, including the network variable type, in verifying valid connections and in the binding process. Only network variables of identical types may be bound together in a single connection— thus, use of standard network variable types facilitates interoperability of nodes in the network as well as facilitating identification of network variables when a command is issued to expose the network variables of a node. As one extension to the concept of self-identifying standard network types as just described, it is possible to include in the information transmitted responsive to receiving the command to expose network variable's text strings and even graphical icons to the network management node. Such information would make the nodes largely self-documenting. EXTENSIONS TO THE "C" LANGUAGE The present invention has implemented certain extensions and features to the "C" programming languages to support use of network . variables— these extensions include (1 ) the already disclosed declarations of variables as network variables and the ability to declare such variables as standard network variable types; (2) declaration and use of I/O objects; and (3) scheduling clauses. Each of these extensions will be discussed in greater detail below. It should be noted that although the extensions have been preferably implemented in the "C" programming language, the idea and concepts of these extensions are not limited to use in this programming language and, in fact, these ideas and concepts may readily be extended to other programming languages. Network variable declarations As has been discussed, the present invention provides for declaration of network variables in C programs. Importantly, the declaration of network variables allows for declaring certain information for use by the above-described binding process. This process is better understood with reference to Figure 11. Initially, a network variable is declared in a computer program intended to run on a node of the network of the present invention, block 1101. The preferred format for the declaration may be found with reference to Table VIII, below. As can be seen with reference to Table VIII, the declaration format preferably includes a set of parameters called bindjnfo. These parameters allow the network variable to be declared with an initial specification of protocol services. When the program is compiled, this initial information is output as part of the BIF file. The format of the BIF file may be found with reference to Table IX. As one option in declaring network variables, these parameters may be declared as configurable or non-configurable, block 1102. In this way, a programmer programming a node may make an initial determination as to the state the parameter should normally be set to. For example, the programmer may determine in a typical configuration, a particular network variable should use acknowledged message services. However, the programmer may also allow a network administrator flexibility in configuring and optimizing the network by declaring the acknowledged parameter as configurable. The program is then compiled and a compiled output is produced in the conventional manner. In addition to producing the conventional outputs of a compiler, e.g., object code, the compiler of the present invention produces the above-mentioned BIF file which includes information on the declared network variables such as the state of parameters and whether or not such parameters are configurable, block 1103. During configuration of the network of the present invention, the state of these configurable parameters may be modified by the network administrator, block 1104. In the above-discussed example, the network administrator may determine the network will be optimally configured if the variable declared as acknowledged is actually configured as unacknowledged and repeated. It is worthwhile to again refer to Figure 8(a) which illustrates, in addition to other steps in the connection process, the step of setting parameters for the connection, block 806. The parameters which are settable in this step of the configuration process are those parameters declared as configurable in the network variable declarations. These parameters are displayed on a display screen during the configuration process and may be modified by changing the state of the parameters on the display screen. For example, one of three states may be set to tell the network the type of service to be used for a network variable — unacknowledged, unacknowledged and repeated, and acknowledged. The authentication feature may be set to an on state in which message authentication is used or to an off state in which message authentication is not used. Also, network variable may be set to a priority state or a non-priority state indicating whether messages associated with the variable are to be sent as priority messages or as normal messages. Declaration and use of Objects Each node of the present invention comprises its own scheduler, timers, and logical I/O devices. The "C" programming language employed by the present invention provides access to these devices through use of predefined objects; namely, an event scheduler which handles task scheduling for the node, timer objects which provide both millisecond and second timers, and I/O objects which provide for declaration of a number of logical I/O devices. Importantly, once declared a logical link is created between the object name and the physical device and references may be made to the object name to gain access to the physical device. Declaration and use of objects will be discussed in greater detail by referring to declaration of I O objects. Each node of the network of the present invention has a number of built-in electrical interface options for performing input and output. Prior to performing input or output, a program must declare an I/O object which interfaces with one of eleven I/O pins on the node; three serial pins 441 and eight parallel pins 445. The eleven pins are referred to with the reserved pin names: IO_0, IOJ , IO_2, IO_3, IO_4, IO__5, IO_6, IO_7, IO_8, IO_9, and IOJ0. The declaration syntax for an I/O object and use of the eleven pins in the present invention is discussed further with reference to Table XI. It is worthwhile to turn to Figure 12 to discuss this concept in somewhat greater detail. Initially, a program statement is coded to declare an I/O device giving a pin designation, a device type and a device name; when the program is compiled the declaration statement causes declaration of the I/O device, block 1201. Other parameters and the format of the declaration for an I/O device in the preferred embodiment may be found with reference to Table XI. Responsive to declaring the I/O device, the pins are configured to perform the function specified by the device type, block 1202. The device types of the preferred embodiment may be found with reference to Table XI. This process is further illustrated with reference to the exemplary network variable program of Table V and the associated assembly language code resulting from a compile of the program given in Table XIV. As can be seen with reference to the program source code in Table V, two I/O devices are declared, 10 ) as a bit output named MotorCtri and I0_5 as a pulsecount input named pulseamps. The specified device name is logically associated with the specified device to perform the designated I/O, block 1204. In this way, a reference may be simply made to the device name to accomplish the designated I/O with necessity of continued reference to specific pins and without need for special coding to implement the desired device types. As can be seen with reference to Table XII, built-in functions are provided to allow communication with the I/O devices. One of the built-in functions may be used to perform the built-in function referring to the desired device name to specify a hardware device, block 1204. The desired I/O is then performed in accordance with the device type specified in the device declaration, block 1205. Scheduling Scheduling on a node in the present invention is event driven. When a given condition becomes true, a body of code termed a task associated with that condition is executed. In the preferred embodiment, scheduling is accomplished through "when" statements. The syntax of a when statement of the preferred embodiment is given in Table XIII. An example of a when statement is given below: when (timer_expires (led imer)) Λ This line is the when clause 7 { io_out (led, OFF); This is the task - turn the led off 7 ln the above example, when the application timer ledjimβr expires, the body of code following the when statement is executed (and the LED is turned off). When statements provide for execution of a task (the bracketed code) when the condition specified (e.g., the iedjimer expires) evaluates to true. It is known in the art to provide structures in programming languages which allow for conditional execution of a task when a statement evaluates to true. However, in known systems which include a scheduling statement (a when statement or the equivalent), the event which is evaluated is a predefined event. As is noted in Table XIII, the present invention provides for use of predetermined events in scheduling statements. However, as one important aspect of the present invention, events may also be any valid C expression. For example, the following statement may be coded in a system of the present invention: when (x = 3) /* This line is the when clause 7 { io_out (led, OFF); I * This is the task - turn the led off 7 } In this case, whenever the event x==3 occurs, the LED is turned off. Of course, significantly more complicated C programming statements may be envisioned to define an event. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, allowing evaluation of any valid language expression to define an event offers significant flexibility over known systems. The present invention further allows for use of multiple when statements to be associated with a single task. For example: when (powerup) This line is one when clause 7 when (reset) This line is another when clause 7 when (io_changes(io_switch)) This line is another when clause 7 when (x = 3) I * This line is another when clause 7 { io_out (led, OFF); I * This is the task - turn the led off 7 } In this case, when any of the above events evaluates to true, the task is executed — e.g., the LED is turned off. Importantly, as one aspect of the present invention, I/O objects may be referred to in an event clause allowing improved ease of programming of the system of the present invention. For example, two methods may be used to determine if an input value is new: (1) the io_update_occurs event may be used, referring to the desired device in a when statement or the iojn function may be used. The below two programs accomplish the same goal. The particular method chosen will depend on the individual case; however, the above is exemplary of the flexibility and ease of use of the system of the present invention. Further, as an additional feature of the present invention and as is described with reference to Table VIII, the present invention provides for two levels of when clauses, priority when clauses and normal when clauses. Using this feature, it is possible to handle events which must be dealt with on a priority basis. PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATIONS PERFORMED BY THE BINDER OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As was discussed above, when more than two nodes are used in a connection, the nodes may be recognized as a group and a group address may be assigned to the group of nodes. The preferred embodiment also carries out other performance optimization routines to achieve minimal network traffic with resulting optimized response time. For example, the binder determines optimal protocol service class and addressing allocation at the time of binding variables in order. Illustrative of this, with reference to Figure 3(b), three separate connections are shown, 321-323. Although this represents a typical optimal configuration, these three connections could be combined by the binder into a single group resulting in nodes sometimes receiving messages about network variable updates which are not used by those nodes. In such a configuration, although there are additional messages received by the nodes, no effect is seen by the application running on the node because the network variable messages include a 14-bit network variable identification. Therefore, nodes which have no need for a variable sent to them simply discard and, in the case of acknowledged service, acknowledge the message. An advantage of grouping many nodes in a single group in the system of the preferred embodiment is that such grouping simplifies tasks for the binder process and further uses only one group address (the preferred embodiment is limited to 255 group addresses per domain). Further, the binder of the present invention dynamically selects an optimal protocol class of service at the time of binding. This is done by first computing the number of messages it would take to complete a transaction on the first using acknowledged service (including the original message and the acknowledgements). (Note that this number is the group size which is known by the network variable binder process at the beginning of the connection process). Second, this number is compared with the repeat count for repeating message. If the repeat count is less than the group size, and none of the programs require acknowledged services (each program allows the config option for its network variables), then the binder dynamically converts the service from acknowledged to unacknowledged repeat. This reduces network traffic, thus improving response time. Thus, an improved communication network having capability for communication of information between nodes in the network is described. TABLEV NETWORK VARIABLE PROGRAM HXAMPLE T-πxϊ ecTϊϊlMnst^^ Tbtal RAM Usage 1126 bytes End of Link Statistics TABLEVI MESSAGING PROGRAM EXAMPLE ♦pragma recαve_tta_s_coun 18 * This example has all the setpoint configuration local to this node. */ I* In this way, generic temperature and pressure sensors can be used •/ * which have no knowledge of the setpoints. They only report new temp */ /* values when the old one changes by a threshold value. Additionally, •/ * the temperature value can be reported to many nodes which can each •/ * use the temperature for their specific function - even applying •/ /* different set points to the temperature value. In the old study, */ /* actual temperature values were not sent on the network. Messages •/ * were sent for above high setpoint, at setpoint & below low setpoint */ /* Since no temperanire values were sent, the messages tent could only •/ I* be used by this node - defeating the value of a networked approach •/ /* This division of function in the old study was done to save EEPROM • / * in this node since storing the setpoints takes EEPROM. */ /* net in condenser temp */ /* net in air temp •/ * net in gas pressure •/ I* net in building cooling stat •/ I* net out emprsr mot on •/ * net out emprsr mot overload •/ /• net out online •/ I* poll building status •/ I* Config Msg code for time off */ I* Config Msg code for time on */ /• Net in H20 temperature •/ /* endsr head te p config •/ I* Cold air temp config •/ /• ass pressure config •/ J___________________________________*l i moωronΛff^ndmotoroverioϊ^ -όgόonlϊήeT when(online) { AmOnline true; msg_ouLUg Imjoαlnjout; msg_ou code NcK__i_e msg_out_tata[01 AmOαBnt; msg_se_dO; motor(off); if the motor was overloaded & and we just came back online •/ I* perhaps someone repaired it*/ MotorOverioad false; msg_outtag motlsOvrid.out; msg_ouLcode MotOvld; msg_ouLdata[0] MotorOverioad; msg_sendO; 1 when (offline) { AmOnline false; msg_outtag Imjonln.out; msg_ouLcode NdOnline; msg_outdata[01 AmOnline; mou_ _ofϊ); 1 when ( msg_ιrrives(CondensrTe_rp) ) { CndnsrHeadTemp = (msg_in.data{0]«8) + msg_in.data[l]; control_actionO; when(msg_aπives(CoolTemp)) CooIAirTemp =(msg_in.data{0]«8) + msg_in.data[l]; control_actionO; ^^CtorasrfnlΛaS j Hi hSeti ms^jnxiatt^c ^ S^msgJii j to End of Link Statistics TABLE Viπ NETWORK VARIABUE PEQARATIQN The preferred syntax for declaration of a network variable is as follows: network input | output [netvar modifier] [class] type [bind.info (fields)] identifier, where: netvar modifier are the following optional modifiers which can be included in the declaration of a network variable: sync I synchronized — specifies that all values assigned to this network variable must be propagated, and in their original order. However, if a synchronous network variable is updated multiple times within a single critical section, only the last value is sent out If this keyword is omitted from the declaration, the scheduler does not guarantee that all assigned values will be propagated. For example, if the variable is being modified more rapidly than its update events can be processed, the scheduler may discard some intermediate daα values. However, the most recent data value for a network variable will never be discarded. polled — is used only for output network variables and specifies that the value of the output network variable is to be sent only in response to a poll request from a node which reads the network variable. When this keyword is omitted, the value is propagated over the network every time the variable is assigned a value. class Certain classes of storage may be specified for network variables. Specifically, the following keywords may be entered in the network variable declaration sta_τnr_r const — specifies that the network variable may not be changed by the application program; eeprom — allows the application program to indicate the value of the network variable is to be preserved across power ouuges. In the preferred embodiment, variables declared with this storage class are stored in the eeprom 401. EEPROM variables have a limited capability to accept changes before the EEPROM can no longer be guaranteed to operate properly. Therefore, initializers for the eeprom class take effect when the program is loaded and not each time the program is started. Reloading a program has the effect of reinitializing all eeprom variables. config — specifies a const netwoik variable in EEPROM that can be changed only by a network management node node. This class of network variable is typically used for application configuration by a network manager. type Network variable typing serves two purposes: (1) typing ensures 1 proper use of the variable in the compilation, and (2) typing ensures proper connection of network variables at bind time. Network variables may be declared as any one of the following types: [signed] long integer unsigned long integer signed character [unsigned] character [signed] [short] integer unsigned [short] integer enumerated lists structures and unions of the above types standard network variable types (see Table VH) bind_info (fields) The following optional fields may be included in the declaration of a network variable; the compiler builds the BIF file utilizing information declared in these fields and the infoπnaπon in the BIF file is used for binding the network variable inputs and ouφuts. The fields are each optional and may be specified in any order. offline — is used to signal to die bind process that a node should be taken offline before an update can be made to the netwoik variable. This option is commonly used with the config class network variable. bind I bind(var_name) — specifies whether the network variable is bound to network variables on other nodes (the usual case) or to a network variable on the same node. The default is bind which indicates that the network variable can be bound to netwoik variables on other nodes. The other form, bind (vaτ_name) allows binding an ouφut to an input on the same node. The var name is the name of another network variable on the same node. It should be noted that this option has been omitted from the currently preferred embodiment of the present invention. nackd I nackd pt I ack [(config I nonconfig)] — tells the protocol layer of die network management software of the present invention the type of service to use for the variable. An unacknowledged (unackd ) netwoik variable uses minimal netwoik resources to propagate its values to other nodes. As a result, propagation failures are more likely to occur, and such failures are not detected by the node. This class is typically used for variables which are updated on a frequent, periodic basis, where die loss of an update is not critical, or in cases where the probability of a collision or transmission error is extremely low. The unackdjpt class of service is used when a variable is sent to a large group of other nodes; with this class the message is sent multiple times to gain a greater probability of delivery. Acknowledged (ackd ) service provides for receiver node acknowledged delivery with retries. The keyword config, indicates the service type can be changed at the time connections are specified for the network variable. The keyword nonconfig indicates the service type cannot be changed at configuration time. a henύcated I nonauthenάcated [(config I nonconfig )] — specifies whether the network variable requires use of an authentication to verity the identity of the sender node. Tbe config I nonconfig keywords specify whether the authentication designation is configurable. The default in the system of the preferred embodiment is nonauxh (config). priority I nonpriotity [(config I nonconfig)] — specifies whether the netwoik variable receives priority or not. The keywords config I nonconfig specify whether priority is configurable. The default is nonpriority (config). rate_est (const _expression) — specifies the estimated average message rate, in tenths of messages per second, that an associated network variable is expected to transmit or receive. This value assists the network administrator in configuring the network. max_rate_est (const_apression) — specifies the estimated maximum message rate, in tenths of messages per second, that the associated netwoik variable is expected to transmit or receive. This value assists the netwoik administrator in configuring the network. TABLE K BIF FILE FORMAT The Binder Interface File (BIF) format comprises a numbered records— one record per network variable and one record per message tag plus some overhead records. The format is designed to be concise with few lines ofphysical lines per record. The format of tbe file generally allows for the following record types: (1 ) File Header comprising timestatπp and other general information (one record); (2) Glcibal information comprisύg eneπ information of indicating general information about the node and the application program running on die node; and (3) Network variable and message tag records for each network variable and message tag comprising information about the network variable or message tag. Importantly, network variables and message tags may require differing amounts and formats of information. Therefore, as one aspect of the present invention, a record structure has been developed to allow efficient storage of the differing required information and efficient retrieval of the records. In addition, in order to conserve storage, the present ύivention discloses an encoding scheme to encode numeric information present in the records. In general, string fields contain an asterisk if they are not applicable. Integer fields contain a zero. The first record in the file is a header which comprises three lines of commentary and copyright notice text and a timestamp. Following this header is one blank line followed by global in wmωon used b thei bindCT Gtobal Information The first global value line is a Program ID comprising eight 2-digit hexadecimal values, separated by colons. The second global value line comprises several numeric fiekls separated by spaces. The fiekls are defined in order as follows: Either a 1 er a 2 which specifies the number of domains. The number of address table 901 slots in the range of decimal 1-15. Either a 0 ora l. Indicates whether the node application program handles incoming messages. The number of network variables defined by the application program in the range of 0 to 62. The number of message tags defined by the application program in the range 0 to IS. The number of network input buffers (encoded, see below). The number of network output buffers (encoded, see below). The number of priority network ouφut buffers (encoded, see below). The number of priority application output buffers (encoded, see below). The number of application output buffers (encoded, see below). The number of application input buffers (encoded, see below). The size of a network input buffer (encoded, see below). The size of a netwoik output buffer (encoded, see below). The size of an application input buffer (encoded, see below). The size of an application output buffer (encoded, see below). The third line is used for node-specific parameters and has not been fully defined in the currently preferred embodiment The fourth and following lines are optional and may include a node doπmv-iiation string which may be transmitted to the rietwcrk .management node for documenting, for example, tbe general function of the node. If not supplied, these nodes comprise a single asterisk. If supplied, these lines each begin with a doubfe-quc<echa____er which is not included as part of the documentation string. Multiple lines are concatenated without any intervening characters. There is no end double quote. The global values section ends with a blank line. As noted above, buffer sizes and count fields are encoded. The encoded values allow selected values, given below, to be stored in a nibble, thus reducing the size of tbe database.In the preferred embodiment, buffer sizes must be one of 20, 21, 22, 24, 26. 0. 4, 42, SO, 66, 82, 114, 146, 210 or 255 (i.e., 15 allowed buffer size values where the buffer sizes are given in bytes); non-priority buffer counts must be one of 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 15, 23, 31, 47, or 63 (i.e., 11 allowed buffer size values). Priority buffer counts must be one of 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 15, 23.31, 7, or 63 (i.e., 12 allowed buffer size values). In order to represent these values in a single nibble (4 bits), the following formulas are used to transform the nibble value (n) to the above values: for buffer sizes: 2- 12 + (n&l) • l~ t l- + 18 (except where n = 0; size = 255); and for count (priority and non-priority): 2 n '- + (n&l) • V-l- - . 1 where n is the nibble value and the & symbol indicates a logical AND fimction between the four Wt n value and 0001 (e.g., for n = 3io, the result of n&l is 001 l&OOOl^JOOl or 1 lfj, for n=2, the result is OlO; in general for any even number n, die value of this function will be 0 and for any odd number n, the value will be 1 )- Also, in the above equations, integer arithmetic is used; therefore, where fractional values result in the computation of a value (e.g., n 2 w ere n - 1), the fractional values are rounded down to the next lowest integer (e.g., for n-1, n 2 = 1/2, is rounded down to 0). Use of the above formula, as opposed to, for example a table lookup routine, leads to decreased requirements for static memory. Netwoik Variahle and Message Tag Records Zero or men records are produced which correspond to the network variables and message tag definitions in the program. Message tag records begin with tbe word TAG"; Network variable messages begin with "VAR". Following the TAG" or "VAR" identifier is a string of at maximum 16 characters which is the name of the tag or variable. Next, there is a decimal number (0-61 for network variables; 0-14 for message tags) which translates the name into an internal program index for the object code. Finally, there are two rate estimates, each a decimal number from 0-255, which are the rate.est and max_rate_est, respectively, in units of tenths of a message per second. The second line of each record corresponds to the bind_info fiekls and other numeric fields in the older and as defined below: ____[ Values offline specifier O or l bindabie specifier O or l bind target index 0-61 (63 if no bind target is specified) direction Odnput, l=output service type 0=acknowledged, l-υnackd_rpt, 2=unackd « ice ty e configurable? 1-ycs, 0-no authenticaied? l»yes, 0-no authenticated configurable? l=yes, 0-no priority 1-yes. O-no priority configurable? 1-yes, O-no polled l=yes, 0=no synchronized 1-yes, 0-no config 1 -yes, 0-no The third and any subsequent lines optionally contain variable documentation in the same format as the node documentation described above. If no documentation is supplied, a single asterisk is used. For network variables, die remaining lines oUowing any do__x__tatic« comprise the foUowing information. Message ugs do _ot π_}u_e th information. The first line following the documen tation lines is a header in which a first field indicates whether the variable is a standard network variable type; if so, the remaining fiekls are ignored and there are no more lines in the record. The format of the line, in order of the fields, is as follows: Field Values Standard network variable type number 1-255 (0 if not a standard type) First typedef name used in the definition maximum length 16 characters, * if none Number of elements in the type 1 unless structured or union, 256 max There is one additional line per element, (where the number of elements was given immediately above). The format of these lines is as follows, in order of the fields presented: TABLEX BIF FILE FOR PROGRAM OF TABLE V TABLEXI VQ PEYI E PEOARATIQN mjmberedpino^^ (15) [input] period [invert] [clock (<expr>)] — This device type measures the total period from negative going edge to negative going edge of an input signal in units of the specified clock period. Must specify IO_4 through IO_7. (16) [ouφut] oneshot [invert] [clock (<expr>)] — This device type produces a single output pulse whose duration is a function of a specified output value and the selected clock value. Must specify IO.O or IO_l. The mux keyword (see below) must be specified for IO_0 and the ded keyword (see below) must be specified for IO_l. (17) {ouφut I input } nibble — This device type is used to read or control-four adjacent pins simultaneously. Requires four adjacent pins; the pin specifies denotes the lowest number pin of the quartet and may be pin IO.O through IO_4. (18) {ouφut I input ) byte — This device type is used to read or control eight pins simultaneously. Requires eight adjacent pins; the pin specification denotes the lowest number pin and must be IO.O. (In general, pins may appear in a single device declaration only, however, a pin may appear in multiple declarations if the types belong to the set of ( Wt, nibble and byte}); where <assign> is one of "mux" which indicates the device is assigned to a multiplexed timer counter circuit or "ded" which indicates the device is assigned to a dedicated timer counter άreuit; and where <initial-ouφut-state> is a constant expression used to set the output pin of die channel to an initial state at initialization time (e.g., when die application program is reset). TABLE Xπ ACCESS TO _Q PEYICES VIA BUILT IN FUNCTION. To access one of the I/O devices (after declaring it as shown above), the application programmer merely calls one of the built-in functions defined below. These built-in functions appear syntactically to be nothing more than procedure calls. However, theae procedure calls are nα be defined as external functions to be linked in. Instead, theae procedure names are "known" to the compiler, and the compiler enforces type checking on the parameters of the procedures. The built-in function syntax is as follows: <retum- valuo io_in ( <device> [<args> } ) <return-value> io.out ( <device>, <ouφut- value. [<args>] ) where tbe <device> name corresponds to an I O device declaration and <args> are as follows, depending on die type of device: bitshift [, numbits>] serial (output only) , couno serial (input only) , <input-value>, <count neurowire (ouφut only) , <count> neurowire (input only) , <input-value>, <count> parallel (ouφut only) , .count- parallel (input only) , <input-value>, <count> All other devices do not permit extra arguments in the calls to k>_in or io_out Some of the above arguments may also appear in the device declaration. If the attribute is specified in the declaration and the attribute is supplied as an argument, the argument overrides the declared value for that call only. These attributes may be specified in both places, either place or not at all If left unspecified, the default is used (see defaults below). The data type of the <re__n-value> for the function io.in, and the data type of the <ouφut-value> for io.out is given by the following table. The data values will be implicitly convened as necessary. A warning is output by the ccoιpilerifan io_in that returns a 16-bit quantity is assigned to a smaller value. bit short WtO used; others are 0 Fαr period, puisecount and ontime input devices, the built-in variable "input Js_new" is set to TRUE whenever the k>_in call returns an updated value. The frequency with which updates occur depends on the device declaration For parallel, serial and neurowire, io.out and io_in require a pointer to the data buffer as the <ouφu t- value, and the input-valuo, respectively. For parallel and serial, io.in returns a short integer which contains die count of tbe actual number of bytes received. Ranges -nd defaults The following ranges and defaults apply to die various 10 attributes: • The bitshift "numbits" may be specified in the bitshift declaration as any number from 1 to 16 and, if not specified, defaults to 16. In the calls to io n and io_out the shift value may be any number from 1 to 127. For >_in, only the last 16 Wts shifted in will be returned. For io.out, after 16 bits, zeroes are shifted out • The Wtshift ouφut clock may be either V or '-'. It defaults to '+'. This defines whether die data is shifted on the positive-going or negative-going edge of Die clock. This can only be specified in the declaration. • The initial frequencies of the frequency ouφut triac ouφut, pulsewidth ouφut and puisecount ouφut are 0. • The clock value specifies a clock in the range 0...7 where 0 is tbe fastest clock and 7 is the slowest The defaults are as follows: frequency ouφut 0 ________________ £_ M____--_____B_ ________B_ pulsewidth ouφut 0 puisecount ouφut 7 ooeshot output 7 onti e input 2 period input 0 The baud rate of serial may be 300, 1200 or 2400 baud with a default of 2400. • The baud rate for neurowire and bitshift may be 1,10 or 25 kbits second and defaults to 25 kbits/second. Ε_______ n example follows — to read a switch attached to pin 1 and light an LED attached to pin 2 when the switch is closed, die following would be coded by die application programmer: Iθ_l input bit chl switch; Iθ_2 output bit led; if (io_in(switch)) { io_out (led, TRUE) ; } I ?Mι__ptexing The timer counter circuit may be multiplexed among pins 4 to 7. To facilitate this, the following built-in function is provided: io_select (<device>); This function causes the specified device to become the new owner of the timer counter circuit Any reinitialization of the timer counter circuit is handled by this function. It is under the application's control when the timer counter is connected to which pin. The multiplexed timer counter is initially assigned to the mux device which is declared first For example, die application may choose to select a new device after a when change clause has executed for the current connected device. Alternatively, the selection could be done based on a timer, e.g., select a new device every 100 milliseconds. TABLEXm WHENSTATEMENTSYNTAX when (D). Assume only C and D are true; first A is evaluated, then B is evaluated and finally C is evaluated and the task associated with C is executed. A is then evaluated again, then B is evaluated and then, in round robin fashion, D is evaluated and executed. event may be either a predefined event or, importantly, may be any valid C expression. Predefined events include, by way of example, input pin state changes (io changes, io update occurs); network variable changes (network variable update completes, network variable update fails, network variable update occurs, network variable update succeeds); timer expiration; message reception information (message arrives, message completes, message fails, message succeeds); and other status information (powerup, reset online, offline). task is a C compound statement consisting of a series of C declarations and statements enclosed in braces. The following predefined events exist in the system of the preferred embodiment flus _completes A flush function is available in the system of the preferred embodiment which causes tbe node to monitor die status of all incoming and outgoing messages. When the node has completed processing of all messages the flush.compiete event resp arrives seven n cattsa^esponsehasOT timer_expires This event indicates the designated timer has expired. Predefined events may be used within other control expressions in addition to in the when statement; for example, in an if, while or for statement As noted above, a user-defined event may be any valid C expression and may include assignment statements to assign values to global variables and function calls. TABLEXrV ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE LISTING FOR THE NETWORK VARTABIJ- PROGRAM OFTABLE V ^uaccπilφόπed^SόuπΛJiuncticfflS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ IMPORT .bit. input.. Wt. input. ό\_Wt_ oumut IMPORT .Wtshift. input.. Wtshift. output IMPORT .byte, input * , byte, output IMPORT .rabble, input.. nibWe. input. d_. nibble, ouφut IMPORT Jrequency. ouφut_. levϊldetect. input IMPORT .neurowire. input., neurowire. ouφut IMPORT _o_eshot_ ouφut^ ontime. input IMPORT .parallel, input., parallel, input, ready IMPORT jβ___ld_ouφut para_Ud_output_ ready ^ parallel, output, request IMPORT .period, input IMPORT .puisecount. input s puisecount. ouφut IMPORT _pulsewidth_ ouφut IMPORT .quadrature, input IMPORT .serial, input s serial, ouφut IMPORT .totalize. input_. triac. ouφut__ Biggered. count, output IMPORT Jnit. timer, counter 1 ,_ inu. timer, counted IMPORT _inicbaι«_L.io_ set. clock IMPORT _»_ input, value. , io. change, init. select, input, fn list of imported symbols • Messaging support IMPORT .bound, mt IMPORT _msg_ alloc, msg. alloc, priority,, msg. cancel. msg_ free IMPORT _msg_ receive,. msg_ send IMPORT _msg_addr_ blockge _ msg. addr. ge . msg. auth. get.. msg_ code_ get IMPORT _msg_ data. blockget_ msg. data_get_. msg. ten. get. , msg. service, get IMPORT __Bg_ addr. blcckset^ msg. addr. set π»g_au_ι_set ^ msg_ _ _Je_ set IMPORT .msg. data. blockset_msg_data_ set_. msg_ domain, set. msg. node, set IMPORT _msg_ priority. sβLj_msg_ service, set,, msg. ___ set IMPORT .jesp.aUoc,. resp. cancel^ resp. free. , resp. receive,, resp. send IMPORT .resp. code, set^ resp. data, blockset ^ . resp. data, set ; Listed imported symbols- Network Variable support IMPORT .bound, nv,. nv. poll,, nv. poll, all IMPORT _πv_ update ^ nv_ update, int .nv. update, long IMPORT _nv_ update, int. offset ^ , nv. update, long, offset ; List of imported symbols - Timer support IMPORT .timer, get, timer, off IMPORT .timer. _-set ti__τ_n_«et_ι-peat timer. sset_. timer. sset_repeat ; List of imported symbols - Event support IMPORT .flush, completes IMPORT _io_ changes- , io. changes, to ,_ io. changes, by _, io. update, occurs IMPORT _msg_ arrives ^ msg. code, arrives IMPORT _msg_ completes^, msg. fails ^ . msg. succeeds IMPORT _nv_ update, completes ^ nv. update, fails^. nv. update, succeeds IMPORT J^upda^occjns ^^^ ^ ^^^^ ^ ^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^^ TABLE XV GENERAL DEFINITIONS The following definitions are generally applicable to terms used in this specification: ___a__ or ]____■ A neuron or node is an intelligent, programmable element or elements providing remote control, sensing, and or crrnmnnicarions, that when interconnected with other like elements forms a communications, control and/or sensing netwoik. Nodes are named with Neuron ids (see below). Nodes may be addressed as a part of a domain and subnet using a node number. The node number in the preferred embodiment is 7 bits. Multiple nodes may be addressed using a group id. The group id in the preferred embodiment is 8 Wts. ϋaiBfflJ : Nodes in the present invention are assigned a unique identification number at the time of manufacture. The identification number is preferably 48-Wts long. This 48-Wt identification number does not change during the lifetime of node. As is appreciated, the assignment of a unique identification to each individual node allows for numerous advantages. This 48-Wt identification number may be referred to as the node.id. TVi -in «____«_ _ • The __ _ "doπain" is used to describe a virtual network wherein all communication, as supported by the network of die present invention, must be within a single domain. Any required inter -domain com iinicarion must be facilitated by application level gateways. In die preferred embodiment, domains are identified with 48-Wt domain identifiers. However, in certain applications die size of the domain field may vary. ______ — In the preferred embodiment, a subnet is a subset of a domain containing from 0 to 127 nodes. In the preferred embodiment, subnets are identified with an 8-Wt subnet identification number. A single domain may contain up to 255 subnets. flπaiβ A group is a set of nc ^ which wc«k together to perform a common function. In the preferred embodiment, groups are identified with an 8-Wt group identification number. A single domaύi may contain up to 255 groups. For example, a group may be created to include all nodes in a connection, such as connection_2142 in which case the group would include a node at temperature sensor_2 116, a node at cell.l 101 and a node at ceU_2 121. Δd ESSM — The present invention provides for a hierarchical address structure and supports three basic addressing modes: (1) (Domain, Subnet, Node number); (2) (Domain, Subnet, NodeJd); and (3) (Domain, Group).

Claims: CLAI S What is claimed is: 1. A network for communicating information, said network comprising at least a first node and a second, said first node comprising: (a) first data storage means for storing a variable V; (b) first processing means coupled with said first data storage means, said first processing means for writing said first storage location with a new value A, said processing means further for assembling a communication packet for transmission on said network, said communication packet comprising said new value A; (c) first communication means coupled with said first processing means, said first communication means further coupled with a medium, said first communication means for receiving said communication packet from said first processing means and for communicating said communication packet onto said medium; said second node comprising: (d) second data storage means for storing said variable V; (e) second communication means coupled with said medium for receiving said communication packet on said medium; (f) second processing means coupled with said second communication means for receiving said communication packet from said second communication means, said second processing means further coupled with said second data storage means, said second processing means writing said second data storage means with said new value A responsive to receiving said communication packet. 2. The network as recited by claim 1 wherein said communication packet further comprises identification information identifying said new value A as being associated with said variable V. 3. The network as recited by claim 1 wherein said identification information is a network variable id comprising 14 bits of information. 4. The network as recited by claim 1 wherein said first node further comprises an address table for storing addressing information of said second node. 5. The network as recited by claim 4 wherein said first node further comprises a network variable table comprising identification information for identifying said variable V and address table index information corresponding to said identification information for indexing said address table. 6. A method of providing shared data from a first node of a network to a second node of said network comprising the steps of: a) declaring a first node W as a writer of a variable V; b) declaring a second node R as a reader of said variable V; c) providing first storage S1 on said first node W for storage of said variable V; d) providing second storage S2 on said second node R for storage of variable V; e) said first node modifying said first storage S1 ; f) said first node W transmitting a message on said network responsive to modifying said storage S1 , said message comprising a new value for said variable V; g) said second node R receiving said message; and h) said second node modifying said second storage S2 responsive to receiving said message. 7. The method as recited by claim 6 wherein said message further comprises identifying information for identifying said variable V. 8. The method as recited by claim 6 further comprising the step of declaring a type of communication service for said message wherein said type of communication service may be declared as configurable. 9. The method as recited by claim 6 further comprising the step of declaring an authentication parameter for said message wherein said authentication parameter may be declared as configurable. 10. The method as recited by claim 6 further comprising the step of declaring a priority parameter for said message wherein said priority parameter may be declared as configurable. 11. A method for providing communication between a first node and a second node in a network, said first node coupled in communication with said second node through a medium, said first node comprising a first processor for processing a first process, a first memory for storing a first network variable, said first process writing said first network variable to said first memory, and a first communication port for communicating information onto said medium, said second node comprising a second processor for processing a second process, a second memory for storing a second network variable, said second process reading said second network variable from said second memory, and a second communication port for receiving information from said medium, said method comprising the steps of: (a) programming said first node with said first process; (b) programming said second node with said second process; (c) logically connecting first network variable with said second network variable by defining a relationship between said first node and said second node; and (d) binding said first network variable with said second network variable. 12. The method as recited by claim 11 wherein said step of logically connecting said first network variable with said second network variable comprises the steps of: (a) defining a connection name, said connection name for identifying said connection; (b) selecting said first node from a list of nodes; (c) selecting said first network variable from a first list of network variables; (d) selecting said second node from said list of nodes; (e) selecting said second network variable from a second list of network variables; (f) said steps (a) - (e) defining a connection; and (g) adding said connection to a set of connections. 13. The method as recited by claim 11 wherein said step of binding said first network variable with said second network variable comprises the steps of: (a) performing edit checks on said logical connection; (b) assigning identification information to said connection, said identification information uniquely identifying said connection to said first node and said second node; and (c) determining an addressing mode for messages associated with said connection. 14. The method as recited by claim 13 wherein said addressing mode is determined to a group addressing mode and said method further comprises the step of assigning a group address to said connection. 15. The method as recited by claim 13 further comprising the step of storing said identification information in a network variable table subsequent to assigning said identification information to said connection. 16. The method as recited by claim 13 further comprising the step of storing address information in an address table subsequent to determining said addressing mode. 17. A network of nodes for communicating, controlling and sensing information, said network comprising a first node and a second node, said first node and said second node coupled in communication over a communication medium, said first node comprising: (a) an internal communication bus for communicating information; (b) storage means for storing at least information on a first variable, said storage means coupled in communication with said internal communication bus; (c) interface means coupled in communication with said medium for receiving a first command and for providing said first command to a processing means, said interface means further coupled in communication with said internal communication bus for receiving said information on said first variable and for outputting said information on said first variable on said medium responsive to receiving said information on said first variable; and (d) said processing means for processing information, said processing means coupled in communication with said internal communication bus to receive said first command and - i n¬ to communicate a request to read said first variable to said storage means responsive to receiving said first command, said information on said first variable being communicated to said interface means for communication on said medium. 18. The network as recited by claim 17 wherein said information on said first variable comprises variable type information and variable identifying information. 19. The network as recited by claim 18 wherein said variable type information is one of a set of standard variable types defined for said network. 20. A method for configuring nodes of a network, said network comprising a first node and a second node, said first node and said second node coupled in communication with a medium, said first node comprising first storage for storing a first variable, said method comprising the steps of: (a) a network management node communicating a first command to said first node on said medium, said first command requesting said first node communicate configuration information to said network management node; (b) said first node receiving said first command; (c) said first node communicating configuration information regarding said first variable responsive to receiving said first command; and (d) said network management node providing for configuration of said network to allow communication of said first variable between said first node and said second node. 21. The method as recited by claim 20 wherein said configuration information on said first variable comprises variable type information. 22. The method as recited by claim 21 wherein said variable type information is one of a set of standard variable types defined for said network. 23. A method for configuring a network, said network comprising a first node having first storage for storing a first variable of a first type, said first node further having a first processor for manipulating said first variable, said first node further having a first interface for interfacing with a medium to allow a data item stored as said first variable to be communicated onto said medium subsequent to manipulation, said network further comprising a second node having second storage for storing a second variable of said first type, said second node further having a second interface for interfacing with said medium to allow receiving of said data item, said second node further having a processor for storing said data item in said second storage, said method comprising the steps of: (a) a network management node communicating a first command to said first node on said medium, said first command requesting said first node communicate configuration information to said network management node; (b) said first node receiving said first command and communicating configuration information regarding said first variable to said network management node; (c) said network management node communicating a second command to said second node on said medium, said second command requesting said second node communicate configuration information to said network management node; (d) said second node receiving said second command and communicating configuration data regarding said second variable to said network management node; (e) defining a relationship between said first variable and said second variable; (f) communicating network address information of said second node to said first node responsive to defining said relationship, said first node storing said address information associated with said first variable. 24. In a networked communication system comprising at least a first node, a second node and a network management node, said network management node comprising data storage for storing data information including a list of data types, a method of configuring said networked communication system comprising the steps of: (a) said network management node communicating a command to said first node requesting said first node to respond by transmitting a list of data items used by said first node; (b) said first node receiving said command; (c) said first node transmitting said list of data items used by said first node responsive to receiving said command, said list comprising information identifying a data type of each of said data items in said list.

Inventors: DOLIN ROBERT A JR, EINKAUF ROBERT L, KAGAN RICHARD S, RILEY GLEN M, VON DE BUR JAMES M, DOLIN, ROBERT, A., JR., EINKAUF, ROBERT, L., KAGAN, RICHARD, S., RILEY, GLEN, M., VON DE BUR, JAMES, M.
Applicants: ECHELON CORP, ECHELON CORPORATION
Application year: 1992
Main classification: G06F13
IPC codes: G05B19, G06F9, G06F15, H04L12, H04L29