Method and apparatus for re-establishing a ring topology following a loss of power

A method of operating a computer network, the computer network having a gateway having a first port and a second port, the method comprising:

• storing configuration information in the gateway, the configuration information indicating whether gateway is to implement a ring topology through the first port and the second port;
• responsive to a restoration of power to the gateway following a loss of power at the gateway, reading the configuration information in the gateway;
• and
• responsive to determining that the configuration information indicates that the gateway is to implement a ring topology through the first port and the second port, forwarding first data traffic from the first port to the second port and forward second data traffic from second port to first port until the gateway determines otherwise.

A gateway for a computer network, comprising:

• a programmable integrated circuit device;
• a first port coupled to the programmable integrated circuit device;
• and
• a second port coupled to the programmable integrated circuit device;
• wherein the programmable integrated circuit device is structured and configured to:
• (i) responsive to a restoration of power to the gateway following a loss of power at the gateway, read configuration information stored by the gateway, the configuration information indicating whether the programmable integrated circuit device is to detect a ring topology through the first port and the second port, and (ii) responsive to determining that the configuration information indicates that the programmable integrated circuit device is to detect a ring topology through the first port and the second port, detect whether such a ring topology is implemented by examining data received on the first and second ports and determining whether the data indicates that a ring topology management protocol is being used, and (iii) responsive to determining that a ring topology is implemented on the first and second ports, forward first data traffic from the first port to the second port and forward second data traffic from second port to first port until the programmable integrated circuit device is configured to do otherwise.

A method of operating a computer network, the computer network having a gateway having a first port and a second port, the method comprising:

• storing configuration information in the gateway, the configuration information indicating whether gateway is to detect a ring topology through the first port and the second port;
• responsive to a restoration of power to the gateway following a loss of power at the gateway, reading the configuration information in the gateway;
• responsive to determining that the configuration information indicates that the gateway is to detect a ring topology through the first port and the second port, detecting whether such a ring topology is implemented by examining data received on the first and second ports and determining whether the data indicates that a ring topology management protocol is being used;
• and
• responsive to determining that a ring topology is implemented on the first and second ports, forwarding first data traffic from the first port to the second port and forward second data traffic from second port to first port until the gateway is configured to do otherwise.