US 7,023,809 B1 · Intelligent concentrator usage

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computer network and a method for using the network The network and method employ powered multiplexing connection devices which electronically couple two or more network devices to the network. The signals from the network devices to the network are multiplexed at the powered multiplexing connection devices and the signals from the network to the network devices are demultiplexed at the powered multiplexing connection devices. The multiplexing enables the various work-center devices to communicate with the network and, in some cases, to receive power over the network connection. The intelligent electronic circuitry is also capable of aiding in network security and management and in monitoring the status of the network infrastructure. A primary advantage of the disclosed invention is an enormous reduction in the network administrator's workload in that a significant portion of the labor involved in managing and modifying a network is alleviated or obviated by the powered, intelligent, multiplexing connection devices.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A computer network, comprising:

one or more work centers, each comprising work center devices;
one or more powered, intelligent, multiplexing devices located at one or more of said work centers, said powered, intelligent, multiplexing devices communicatively coupled with said work center devices via cabling, said one or more powered, intelligent, multiplexing devices providing an access control point, said one or more powered, intelligent, multiplexing devices further automatically providing a tamper alert signal to a network management source in the event of a physical breach;
one or more network servers, each connected with one or more of said powered, intelligent, multiplexing devices, each connection via a single industry standard communications cable, wherein signals between said work center devices and said network servers are multiplexed in said cabling and said single industry standard communications cable;
and
one or more network administrator consoles, each network administration console implementing and managing said access control point of said one or more powered, intelligent, multiplexing devices.

2 more elements

A method for managing a computer network, wherein said computer network comprises one or more network servers and one or more work centers, said method comprising:

a) providing one or more powered, intelligent, multiplexing device connectors, at one or more of said work centers, each of said one or more powered, intelligent, multiplexing connectors providing a connection to one of said network servers via a single industry standard communications cable, said one or more powered, intelligent, multiplexing connectors further providing an access control point, said one or more powered, intelligent, multiplexing devices further automatically providing a tamper alert signal to a network management source in the event of a physical breach;
b) electronically coupling two or more network devices to said powered, intelligent, multiplexing device connector;
c) multiplexing signals between said network and said network devices;
d) monitoring the status of the infrastructure of said network;
and,
e) communicating information of said status of said infrastructure to a management of said network, said management comprising one or more network administrator consoles, each network administration console implementing and managing said access control point of said one or more powered, intelligent, multiplexing devices.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Intelligent concentrator usage

Life of this patent

Intelligent concentrator usage

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19