Assisting network users with a network access machine

Accessing networks of heterogeneous computer systems can often be cumbersome due to differences in command languages and conventions. Approaches toward improving these conditions are identified and a specific solution - a “Network Access Machine” - is described in detail. The “Network Access Machine” is a mini- computer-based system that acts as a network access point for a user at his terminal and assists the user through the automatic execution of access procedures. This minicomputer facility allows the user to specify (or to have specified) his own network commands. The minicomputer expands these commands into command sequences executable on a specified network and host connected to that network. Further, system and network responses are analyzed to assure agreement with those anticipated for specific commands. Conditional and parameterized expansions allow the use of the same commands on different host computers and different networks.