Protocol independent switch
AssigneeBay Networks, Inc.
InventorsTom Slykhouse, Robert Smith, Dan Simone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A data communications network providing for automatic reconfiguration of a hub concentrator or the like dependent on the protocol used by a device attached to the concentrator. The concentrator includes a circuit for receiving a message packet from a device coupled with the concentrator and for determining the protocol used in the transmission. Utilization of the disclosed circuit provides for automatic reconfiguration in the event a device is moved from one port on the concentrator to another port or a new device is connected to the concentrator.
Claims13
A data network comprising:
- (a) a concentrator having a first port and a second port;
- (b) a first device coupled in communication with said first port of said concentrator, said first device capable of communicating information over said network;
- (c) a second device coupled in communication with said second port of said concentrator, said second device capable of communicating information over said network;
- (d) said concentrator further providing at said first port, a circuit for receiving a message packet from a device coupled to said first port and for determining the protocol type of said message packet.
A concentrator for use in a data network which concurrently supports a plurality of communication protocols, said concentrator having at least a first port and a second port;
- said first port for accepting and transmitting data to a first device, said first device communicating information on said data network in one of said plurality of communication protocols;
- said second port for accepting and transmitting data to a second device, said second device communicating information on said data network in one of said plurality of communication protocols;
- and
- a first circuit for automatically configuring said first port, dependent on the communication protocol of data received from or transmitted to said first port, to receive and transmit data in one of said plurality of communication protocols.
A central device allowing for attachment of at least a first DTE and a second DTE, said central device comprising:
- (1) a first port for accepting and transmitting data to said first DTE, said first DTE communicating information on said data network in one of a plurality of protocols;
- (2) a second port for accepting and transmitting data to said second DTE, said second DTE communicating information on said data network in one of said plurality of protocols;
- and
- (3) a first circuit for receiving a message packet from said first DTE and for determining the protocol type of said message packet.
A modular card for use in a network concentrator of a data network which concurrently supports a plurality of communication protocols, said modular card comprising:
- a first port for coupling said modular card to a first device which communicates a message packet over said data network;
- a second port for coupling said modular card to a second device which communicates a message packet over said data network;
- and
- at least a first detection circuit, coupled to said first port, for identifying the communication protocol of a first message packet received from, or transmitted to, said first device, and for automatically configuring said first port to transmit and receive a message packet according to said identified communication protocol.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.