Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Thao M Hoang

Arthur T Bennett

Ahmad Nouri

Laura E Whitmire

Hieu M Hoang

David M Allmond

A multiple segment network device configured for a stacked arrangement via a common backplane. The device is a repeater that includes a first repeater segment, a second repeater segment and a switch device disposed between the first and second repeater segments that enables communication therebetween within a single logical network domain. The device further includes a backplane connector coupled to the second repeater segment to enable extension of the second repeater segment to a common backplane with external devices while maintaining a single repeater domain. The first repeater segment operates at a first transmission rate and the second repeater segment operates at a second transmission rate. The switch device may be a learning bridge that filters information between the first and second repeater segments. The common backplane enables two or more repeaters to be coupled within the same logical network domain or LAN. The backplane couples each second segment of each repeater into the same repeater or collision domain, and allows nodes coupled through any of the first repeater segments to communicate via the backplane.

Multiple segment network device configured for a stacked arrangement

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 interface controller including a plurality of MII ports operable at either one of the first and second transmission rates, a corresponding plurality of Manchester ports operable at the first transmission rate and an MII interface operable at the second transmission rate. The adaptive interface controller includes first select logic that provides data from an active one of the MII ports for one of the Manchester ports or to the MII interface depending upon the transmission rate. Manchester encoding logic is provided to receive data from the first select logic for an active port, to convert the data to Manchester format and to provide the encoded data to a corresponding one of the Manchester ports. Second select logic provides data transmitted to the MII interface for a selected one of the MII ports. Manchester decoding logic detects Manchester encoded data transmitted to any of the Manchester ports and converts the encoded data a serial to bit stream. Third select logic provides received data from either one of the Manchester decoding logic and the second logic to a corresponding one of the MII ports. The encoding and decoding logic are part of communication apparatus which includes respective FIFO memories that each include enough data bits deep to prevent data loss in spite of timing variations between different clock signals during transmission of data bits. Each FIFO also includes a valid bit for each data bit to identify the extents of transferred packets.

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Denton County, TX, United States of America

Thao M Hoang