Distributed network repeater system
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorGordon Mackay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A repeater, useable for connecting switches in a data communication network, is provided in a distributed and/or modular fashion. The repeater includes a plurality of separate and distinct components or modules connected to or at least partially housed in, the various switches which the repeater modules couple. Preferably, the repeater autodetects and/or autoconfigures some or all aspects of repeater operations, such as detecting and/or configuring appropriate full/half-duplex mode operation or detecting and/or configuring in response to appropriate or approved cable-type connections. The distributed and/or modular repeater facilitates accommodating various switching or repeater needs as a network grows or contracts.
Claims7
A method for selecting between half-duplex and full duplex communication comprising:
- providing a multi-module distributed network repeater, each module having two ports for cable connections;
- determining for each port of at least one of said plurality of modules, whether each port is coupled to a port of another module of said multi-module distributed network repeater;
- and
- setting all modules of said multi-module distributed network repeater to half-duplex mode unless no module of said multi-module distributed repeater has each of said two ports coupled to a port of other modules of said multi-module distributed network repeater.
Apparatus for selecting between half-duplex and full duplex communication, comprising:
- a multi-module distributed network repeater, each module having two ports for cable connections;
- circuitry which determines, for each port of at least one of said plurality of modules, whether each port is coupled to a port of another module of said multi-module distributed network repeater;
- and
- circuitry which sets all modules of said multi-module distributed network repeater to half-duplex mode unless no module of said multi-module distributed repeater has each of said two ports coupled to a port of other modules of said multi-module distributed network repeater.
Apparatus for selecting between half-duplex and full duplex communication, comprising:
- multi-module distributed network repeater means, including a plurality of module means, each module means having two ports for cable connections;
- means for determining for each port of at least one of said plurality of modules, whether each port is coupled to a port of another module of said multi-module distributed network repeater;
- and
- means for setting all modules of said multi-module distributed network repeater to half-duplex mode unless no module of said multi-module distributed repeater has each of said two ports coupled to a port of other modules of said multi-module distributed network repeater.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.