Fault tolerant network utilizing bi-directional point-to-point communications links between nodes
AssigneeSMSC Holding S.A.R.L.
InventorDavid J. Knapp
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Abstract
A data communication system and an associated network node implementation is disclosed that, in certain embodiments, uses single-channel bi-directional communication links between nodes to send frames of data. The network nodes can be connected together in a ring or daisy chain topology with data frames sent in alternating directions through the bi-directional links. Such networks initially configured in a physical ring topology can tolerate single point failures by automatically switching to a logical daisy chain topology.
Claims21
A method for use in a network node within an interconnected network of nodes, said method comprising:
- forwarding data frames received on a first bi-directional port of the network node to a second bi-directional port of the network node for outbound transmission on the second bi-directional port;
- forwarding data frames received on the second bi-directional port to the first bi-directional port for outbound transmission on the first bi-directional port, wherein the first and second ports comprise single-channel bi-directional ports;
- if a data frame received on a given bi-directional port includes a message addressed to the network node, then inserting a message status symbol into the next data frame transmitted outbound on the given bi-directional port;
- and
- assigning an address for the network node in response to a received data frame which includes an address discovery command, wherein assigning comprises:
- incrementing an address conveyed in the address discovery command data frame;
- storing the incremented address as the network node address;
- and
- forwarding the address discovery command with the incremented address in the next transmitted data frame.
A method for use in a network node within an interconnected network of nodes, said method comprising:
- forwarding data frames received on a first bi-directional port of the network node to a second bi-directional port of the network node for outbound transmission on the second bi-directional port;
- forwarding data frames received on the second bi-directional port to the first bi-directional port for outbound transmission on the first bi-directional port, wherein the first and second ports comprise single-channel bi-directional ports;
- and
- if a data frame received on a given bi-directional port includes a message addressed to the network node, then inserting a message status symbol into a forwarded data frame received on the other port of the network node, and transmitted outbound on the given bi-directional port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.