Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Arthur T Bennett

Ahmad Nouri

Craig M Scott

K Arlan Harris

Hieu M Hoang

Thao M Hoang

Laura E Whitmire

David M Allmond

Li Tung Wang

Gary A Randall

Scott K Rubenstein

Stephen L Baum

A communication protocol detection system for enabling a network system to detect and interface one or more network devices each operating according to at least one of a plurality of different communication protocols. In one embodiment, a network interface card (NIC) is capable of operating according to one of two different communication protocols, such as the 10Base-T and 100Base-TX Ethernet Standards. The NIC includes two corresponding transceivers, where the transceivers are interfaced to a network connector for interfacing an external network device. Control logic initially enables the 10Base-T transceiver to determine if link pulses are detected. If link pulses are detected, the 100Base-T transceiver is enabled to determine if it detects the link pulses. If so, the 100Base-T transceiver is used to establish communications, and if not, the 10Base-T transceiver is used. Preferably, the 100Base-T transceiver is re-enabled a predetermined number of times to determine if the network device is a 100 Mbps device. In another embodiment, a repeater includes a plurality of interface circuits, each including a plurality of transceivers. Each of the transceivers of each of the interface circuits of each port is connected to a corresponding repeater module through an array of buses. Control logic enables the transceivers one at a time within each interface circuit and correspondingly monitors the corresponding link signal. When an enabled transceiver detects link pulses, that transceiver is used to establish communications. If a link signal indicates termination of communications, enabling of the transceivers one at a time is resumed.

Automatic communication protocol detection system and method for network

An adaptive networking device including a switch module having several ports and operable according to a first protocol and a repeater module also having several ports and operable according to a second protocol. The adaptive networking device preferably includes several connector ports for coupling to external data devices, such as computers, work stations, file servers, modems, printers, repeaters, switches, routers, hubs, concentrators, or the like, for establishing a networking system. Also, the adaptive networking device preferably includes an interface circuit for each connector port for detecting communication from a data device on the corresponding connector port and for coupling that data device to either the switch module or the repeater module. The interface circuit preferably senses the protocol of the communication and automatically couples the data device to the corresponding and compatible communication module. In a second embodiment, the adaptive networking device includes a converter coupled between the switch module and the repeater module for converting the protocols between the switch and repeater modules. In a more particular embodiment, the first and second protocols operate at first and second data rates, respectively.

Adaptive networking system

A network (10) includes a repeater (12) that can service data devices that operate using different communications protocols. The data devices (18, 20, 22) couple to the ports (34) of the repeater (12), and operate using a first communications protocol in a first domain (14). The data devices (26, 28, 30) also couple to the ports (34) of the repeater (12) and operate using a second communications protocol in a second domain (16). Information on the operation of a port (34) may be displayed using one port indicator (202) or two port indicators (300, 302).

Method and apparatus for displaying port information

A network (10) includes several local networks (32, 34, 36). Each local network (32, 34, 36) includes a repeater (12, 16, 20) coupled to data devices (14, 18, 22). The combination of the repeater (12, 16, 20) and the data devices (14, 18, 22) form a collision domain for managing communications within the local network (32, 34, 36). Uplink modules (40, 44) manage communications between the local networks (32, 34, 36) by isolating collision domains and generating collision indications when messages cannot be transmitted. The uplink modules (40, 44) may also implement bridging, routing, or filtering capabilities that inhibit transmission of an intra-network message beyond its local network (32, 34, 36).

Method and apparatus for networking data devices using an uplink module

Multiport repeater with collision detection and jam signal generation

A termination scheme for twisted-wire pairs for network communication systems, such as Fast Ethernet 100BaseTX, where the wires are electrically connected together and a single resistor is coupled in series between the junction of the wires and ground. A capacitor may also be coupled between the resistor and ground for DC isolation purposes. The single resistor preferably has a resistance equivalent to half of the common mode impedance between the unused pairs. The two wires of each pair are shorted together since there is no differential signal between the two wires. In this manner, two differential impedance resistors are eliminated, thereby reducing size and cost of the system without degrading performance.

Termination scheme for twisted-wire pairs

A network (10) includes an adaptive repeater (12) that can service data devices at different data rates. Data devices (18, 20, 22) couple to ports (34) of the adaptive repeater (12), and operate at a first rate in a first domain (14). Data devices (26, 28, 30) also couple to ports (34) of adaptive repeater (12) and operate at a second rate in a second domain (16). Repeaters (24, 32) and bridges (40, 42) may also couple to the adaptive repeater (12).

Growing community of inventors

Coppell, TX, United States of America

Arthur T Bennett