Method of and apparatus for providing reserved bandwidth to ethernet devices over switched ethernet including a home network wall plate having a combined IEEE 1394 and ethernet modified hub
First Claim
1. A method of transmitting data within a network including one or more of a first type of device operating according to a first protocol and a second protocol and one or more of a second type of device operating according to only the second protocol comprising:
- a. establishing a periodic cycle including a first portion and a second portion;
b. allowing only transmissions from the first type of devices according to the first protocol and transmissions from the second type of devices according to the second protocol during the first portion; and
c. allowing only transmissions from the first type of devices according to the second protocol during the second portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A combined IEEE 1394-2000 and ethernet network allows devices on the network to operate according to both the IEEE 1394-2000 protocol and the ethernet protocol. The devices within the network are able to send IEEE 1394-2000 ischronous data, IEEE 1394-2000 asynchrounous data and ethernet data. Both IEEE 1394-2000 and ethernet devices within the network are coupled to modified hubs (MHUBS) to form a local cluster. The MHUBS are coupled to an ethernet switch which controls communications between devices in different local clusters. The ethernet switch and the MHUBS obey an ischronous interval in which all isochronous data transfers and asynchronous data transfers from ethernet devices with an allocation of reserved bandwidth will be allowed. Preferably, on a regular and reoccurring period, the ethernet switch sends an isotick signal to begin the ischronous interval. Any bandwidth left after the ischronous interval is then allocated to the IEEE 1394-2000 asynchronous traffic, until the start of the next ischronous interval.
111 Citations
49 Claims
-
1. A method of transmitting data within a network including one or more of a first type of device operating according to a first protocol and a second protocol and one or more of a second type of device operating according to only the second protocol comprising:
-
a. establishing a periodic cycle including a first portion and a second portion;
b. allowing only transmissions from the first type of devices according to the first protocol and transmissions from the second type of devices according to the second protocol during the first portion; and
c. allowing only transmissions from the first type of devices according to the second protocol during the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A modified hub device configured for coupling between two or more devices operating according to two or more different protocols and a switching device, the hub device comprising:
-
a. a first interface configured for coupling to and communicating with one or more of a first type of device operating according to a first protocol and a second protocol;
b. a second interface configured for coupling to and communicating with one or more of a second type of device operating according to only the second protocol; and
c. a third interface configured for coupling to and communicating with the switching device, wherein the switching device sends a periodic signal which signals the start of a period having a first portion and a second portion, wherein only communications from the first type of devices operating in the first protocol and communications from the second type of devices operating in the second protocol are allowed during the first portion, and only communications from the first type of devices operating in the second protocol are allowed during the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A switching device configured for coupling to two or more hub devices providing interfaces to one or more of a first type of device operating according to a first protocol and a second protocol and one or more of a second type of device operating according to only the second protocol, the switching device comprising:
-
a. a plurality of ports, each port coupled to a corresponding hub device for interfacing with devices coupled to the corresponding hub device; and
b. a control circuit coupled to the plurality of ports for sending a periodic signal which signals the start of a period having a first portion and a second portion, wherein only communications from the first type of devices operating in the first protocol and communications from the second type of devices operating in the second protocol are allowed during the first portion, and only communications from the first type of devices operating in the second protocol are allowed during the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
-
-
37. A network of devices comprising:
-
a. a switching device including;
i. a plurality of ports; and
ii. a control circuit coupled to the plurality of ports for sending a periodic signal which signals the start of a period having a first portion and a second portion; and
b. a plurality of modified hub devices each including;
i. a first interface configured for coupling to and communicating with one or more of a first type of device operating according to a first protocol and a second protocol;
ii. a second interface configured for coupling to and communicating with one or more of a second type of device operating according to only the second protocol; and
iii. a third interface coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of ports, wherein only communications from the first type of devices operating in the first protocol and communications from the second type of devices operating in the second protocol are allowed during the first portion, and only communications from the first type of devices operating in the second protocol are allowed during the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
-
Specification