Transparent bridge between of a computer system and a method of interfacing the buses to operate as a single logical bus

DETAILED DESCRIPTION There is a need for a bridge which provides electrical isolation between buses to comply with bus specifications, but allows two connected buses to be viewed from the software as a single logical bus.
This and other needs are met by the present invention which provides a transparent bridge coupled between the first and second buses of a system, this bridge comprising a data path connected between the first and second buses for data and address communication.
The bridge also includes a bus interface unit for controlling communications through the bridge.
The bus interface unit monitors bus cycles on the first and second buses.
The bus cycles generated on either the first or the second bus are reflected to the other of the buses.
Thus, the bridge is transparent so that devices on the first and second buses are addressable as on a single logical bus.
Since the devices on the first and second buses are addressable as if they were on a single logical bus, WINDOWS software is able to do the configuration for all of the devices.
This permits the plug and play capabilities to be utilized.
Furthermore, WINDOWS software is able to resolve any conflicts on the bus since it would be aware of all of the addresses of the devices on the buses, as each of the devices is treated as being on a single bus.
Another aspect of the invention satisfies the above-stated needs by providing an arrangement comprising a computer system having a first bus with first devices connected to the first bus.
The arrangement also includes a digital data system having a second bus with second devices coupled to the second bus.
A bridge is coupled between the first and second buses to allow data transfers between the first and second devices.
A bridge monitors the bus cycles on the first and second buses and reflects the bus cycles generated on the first and second buses to the other of the buses.
Thus, the bridge is transparent so that devices on the first and second buses are addressable as on a single logical bus