Hewlett-packard Company

Other

Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.p.

Robert M McGuire

Robert Lee Faulk, Jr

Karen E Kimball

Douglas Edwin O'Neil

Automatic load-balancing provides a decision-making process that includes intelligent automatic detection of when a given load-balancing activation currently would not be beneficial, thereby keeping the user's network from being unnecessarily disturbed when no real benefit would be gained; a process to undo a prior load-balancing that can be activated when users have accidentally selected a feature which could substantially change their network configurations; and an extensive intelligent distribution algorithm that improves the network load by moving the right nodes to new segments.

Method and apparatus for automatic load-balancing on a multi-segment network

Automatic load-balancing provides a decision-making process that includes intelligent automatic detection of when a given load-balancing activation currently would not be beneficial, thereby keeping the user's network from being unnecessarily disturbed when no real benefit would be gained; a process to undo a prior load-balancing that can be activated when users have accidentally selected a feature which could substantially change their network configurations; and an extensive intelligent port-distribution algorithm that improves the network load by moving the right ports to new segments.

Method and apparatus for automatic load-balancing on multisegment devices

Runtime detection of network loops is performed. It is detected when for a network segment a ratio of duplicate packets to total packets exceeds a first predetermined threshold. Also it is detected when traffic load on the network segment exceeds a second predetermined threshold. When the ratio of duplicate packets to total packets exceeds the first predetermined threshold and the traffic load on the network segment exceeds the second predetermined threshold, a network loop has been detected.

Runtime detection of network loops

Automatic device segmentation and port-to-segment distribution is provided in an electronic network. During a power-on sequence, the hardware and software of a network device determines if there is sufficient reason to segment a hub. Once a determination is made that there is a need for segmentation, the hub's ports are automatically divided into different segments in accordance with a predetermined port assignment scheme, such as by a predetermined port assignment (port 1 segment 1, port 2 segment 2, . . . ); assigning ports to different segments by cycling through the number of segments available as the ports become active; randomly assigning ports to the available segments; and using a negotiating mechanism to determine which ports go on which segments, where this latter approach may be based on such factors as the MAC address, the IP address, a virtual LAN identifier, any packet sent on the network, the existence of a manually operable switch, a cable determined by unique cable groups, or external wires or signals.

Method and apparatus for automatic device segmentation and

An intelligent network agent software application for multi-segment network devices (such as bridges or multi-segment repeaters) which have one or more network links automatically configures the network links. Several automatic configuration and loop-recovery features are encompassed, each of which applies toward intelligently making decisions on the user's behalf, without special knowledge or intervention on the part of the user. Such configuration includes: assigning bridged links to different segments (to maximize the connectivity offered by the bridging and to prevent looping); setting up bridged links on a bridge to form full connectivity across the network with another bridge; setting up redundant connections; disabling ports which are causing loops in the network, or other configuration actions. The agent is preferably fully embedded in the hardware device. However, the agent can also exist remotely and communicate with other software intelligence embedded in the hardware device via either an in-band (network) or an out-of-band (non-network) hardware connection.

Method and system for automatic configuration of network links to

Uninterrupted network operation is maintained when stations are moved, for example when a station is initially connected to a bridge port via a repeater, and the station is later moved to another repeater, such that the bridge filtering database is typically out of date until the station transmits packets. To remedy this, an intelligent agent causes a packet to be sent on behalf of the station via the new network segment, and causes the bridge to learn the new port for the station, and to update its filtering database. The intelligent agent sends this packet immediately after the station has been moved from one network segment to another, thereby minimizing the possibility that traffic directed to the station is lost.

Method and apparatus for employing an intelligent agent to cause a

A golf tee (20) providing a pliant riser (22) and a rigid anchor (23). A placement tool (54) providing means for placement of said golf tee (20) into the ground. The anchor (23) having enough length and exposed surface area to provide the required friction needed to hold said golf tee (20) firmly in place even after being struck by a golf club used to hit a golf ball teed up on said golf tee (20). The placement tool (54) consisting of a tool handle (58), a tool shaft (59) and a tool sleeve (57) is used to place said golf tee (20) into the ground such that the anchor head (40) is below the ground surface a distance calibrated by the tee height indicator (30) on the riser (22).

Golf tee and placement tool

A three point tree bracing collar is formed of a planar, elongate plastic material including a slot near one end through which the other end is passed in order to wrap the collar around a tree to be braced. The other end includes a reinforced eyelet for attaching an anchoring line with the other anchoring lines being disposed around the outside of the collar. A two point tree bracing collar includes first and second ends and a slot in said collar intermediate said ends through which one of said ends is passed in order to wrap the collar around a tree. Each end includes an eyelet for attaching an anchoring line thereto. Both embodiments include notches along the extent to the end to be passed through the slot so that the collar holds itself in place when it is initially positioned on the tree.

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Roseville, CA, United States of America

Robert M McGuire