Token-assignment networks over ethernet and methods therefor

A method for implementing an ad-hoc token-assignment network from a plurality of computers interconnected in an Ethernet network upon detecting one of a potential virus infection and an actual virus infection affecting said Ethernet network, comprising:

• activating a token-management application in a first computer of said plurality of computers, said activating said token-management application causing said first computer to enter into a token-management role as a token-managing device (“TMD”);
• activating a first network interface card filter in a second computer of said plurality of computers, said activating said first network interface card filter causing said second computer to enter into a token-sharing role as a first token-sharing computer (“first TSC”);
• activating a second network interface card filter in a third computer of said plurality of computers, said activating said second network interface card filter causing said third computer to enter into said token-sharing role as a second token-sharing computer (“second TSC”), wherein said TMD manages a token-sharing schedule to determine the time period during which one of said first TSC and said second TSC is permitted to transmit data, said first TSC is permitted to transmit only if said first TSC is granted a token by said TMD, said second TSC is permitted to transmit only if said second TSC is granted said token by said TMD, wherein at least two of said first computer, said second computer and said third computers are implemented in different Ethernet sub-networks prior to said token-assignment network being entered.

A method for implementing an ad-hoc token-assignment network from a plurality of computers interconnected in an Ethernet network, comprising:

• receiving a virus infection forecast, including information specifying that said virus infection is due to occur;
• and
• activating said token-assignment network upon said receiving said virus infection forecast by:
• activating a token-management application in a first computer of said plurality of computers, said activating said token-management application causing said first computer to enter into a token-management role as a token-managing device (“TMD”),
• activating a first network interface card filter in a second computer of said plurality of computers, said activating said first network interface card filter causing said second computer to enter into a token-sharing role as a first token-sharing computer (“first TSC”), and
• activating a second network interface card filter in a third computer of said plurality of computers, said activating said second network interface card filter causing said third computer to enter into said token-sharing role as a second token-sharing computer (“second TSC”), wherein said TMD manages a token-sharing schedule to determine the time period during which one of said first TSC and said second TSC is permitted to transmit data, said first TSC is permitted to transmit only if said first TSC is granted a token by said TMD, said second TSC is permitted to transmit only if said second TSC is granted said token by said TMD.