Frame removal mechanism using count of frames and delimiter frame for token ring networks

A station on a computer network, said station comprising.:

• A. transmitting means for transmitting one or more information frames on the network;
• B. originating means responsive to said transmitting means for originating one or more strip delimiter frames and transmitting said frames on to the network at the end of the information frame transmission;
• C. frame stripping means for stripping frames from the network;
• D. a counter responsive to said transmitting means and said originating means for counting the frames transmitted on to the network by the station, and further responsive to said frame stripping means for decrementing said count for each error-free information frame stripped from the network by the station;
• E. strip delimiter frame detecting means for detecting error-free strip delimiter frames on the network;
• F. error condition detecting means for detecting frames indicating a network error condition;
• G. token detecting means for detecting the network token;
• and
• H. frame stripping control means responsive to said transmitting means, said strip delimiter frame detecting means, said error condition detecting means, said token detecting means and said counter for controlling said frame stripping means such that frames other than strip delimiter frames, received after said frame transmission is begun and before the earlier of:
• i. the detection of one of said strip delimiter frames,
• ii. the frame count equalling zero,
• iii. the detection of a network error condition, or
• iv. the detection of the network token, are stripped.

A method of stripping frames from a computer network comprising the steps of:

• A. transmitting frames on to the network;
• B. originating one or more strip delimiter frames and transmitting said delimiter frames on to the network at the end of the frame transmission;
• C. counting the frames transmitted on to the network and maintaining a frame count;
• D. detecting error-free strip delimiter frames;
• E. stripping frames after said frame transmission is begun;
• F. decrementing the frame count by one for each error-free frame stripped;
• G. discontinuing stripping frames upon before the earlier of:
• i. the detection of one of said strip delimiter frames;
• or
• ii. the frame count equalling zero,
• H. continuing to strip said strip delimiter frames and frames identifying said station as the source station whenever one is detected.

A method of stripping frames from a computer network comprising the steps of:

• A. transmitting frames on to the network;
• B. originating one or more strip delimiter frames and transmitting said delimiter frames on to the network at the end of the frame transmission;
• C. counting the frames transmitted on to the network and maintaining a frame count;
• D. detecting error-free strip delimiter frames;
• E. detecting network error conditions or a network token;
• F. stripping frames after said frame transmission is begun;
• G. decrementing the frame count by one for each error-free frame stripped;
• H. discontinuing stripping frames upon the earlier of:
• i. the detection of one of said strip delimiter frames,
• ii. the frame count equalling zero,
• iii. the detection of a network error condition, or
• iv. the detection of the network token,
• I. continuing to strip said strip delimiter frames and frames identifying said station as the source station whenever one is detected.

A station on a computer network, said station comprising:

• means for granting permission to said station to transmit at least one frame onto said network;
• means for counting each of said at least one frame transmitted onto said network;
• means, responsive to a grant of permission to said station to transmit, for said station to transmit a set of at least one strip delimiter frame onto said network after transmission of at least one information frame;
• means for stripping at least one frame from said network, and for counting each frame stripped;
• means for beginning stripping in response to a grant of permission to said station to transmit said at least one frame onto said network;
• and,
• means for ending stripping when a stop strip condition is satisfied, said condition being satisfied,
• when a number of frames stripped equals a number of frames transmitted, or when at least one of said set of at least one strip delimiter frame is received by said station.

A method for operating a station on a computer network, comprising:

• granting permission to said station to transmit at least one frame onto said network;
• counting each of said at least one frame transmitted onto said network;
• transmitting a set of at least one strip delimiter frame onto said network, in response to a grant of permission to said station to transmit and after transmission of at least one information frame;
• stripping at least one frame from said network, and counting each frame stripped;
• beginning stripping in response to a grant of permission to said station to transmit said at least one frame onto said network;
• and,
• ending stripping when a stop strip condition is satisfied, said condition being satisfied,
• when a number of frames stripped equals a number of frames transmitted, or when at least one of said set of at least one strip delimiter frame is received by said station.