NETWORK DEVICE, METHOD FOR SPECIFYING INSTALLATION POSITION OF NETWORK DEVICE, AND NOTIFICATION DEVICE

• US 20090282145A1
• Filed: 03/06/2009
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Buffalo Incorporated (Melco Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Buffalo Incorporated (Melco Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: NIIMI, Tomoharu
• Granted Patent: US 8,250,208 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies

Abstract

A network device, method for specifying installation position of network device, and notification device are provided. The network device includes: a loop detecting unit configured to detect a loop caused by the network device; and a location notifying unit configured to allow the network device itself to indicate a location of the network device in response to a detection of the loop.

Claims

1. A network device comprising:

a loop detecting unit configured to detect a loop caused by said network device; and

a location notifying unit configured to allow said network device itself to indicate a location of said network device in response to a detection of the loop.

2. The network device according to claim 1 further comprising a notifier configured to output at least one of a visible indication and an audible indication in response to the detection of the loop.

3. The network device according to claim 2,

wherein the notifier comprises a buzzer, and

wherein the location notifying unit sounds a buzzer in response to the detection of the loop.

4. The network device according to claim 2, further comprising a notification instruction receiving unit configured, when the notifier is configured to output the audible indication, to receive a switching instruction to select whether to output the audible indication.

5. The network device according to claim 4, wherein the notification control unit comprises a manual switch manually operable to select whether to output the audible indication.

6. The network device according to claim 2,

wherein the notifier comprises a light emitting diode, and

wherein the location notifying unit lights or flashes the light emitting diode in response to the detection of the loop.

7. The network device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a plurality of ports connectable to a network; and

a port notifying unit,

wherein the loop detecting unit comprises a port specifying unit configured to specify a port of the plurality of ports which contributes to the loop, and

wherein the port notifying unit allows said network device itself to indicate the port contributing to the loop.

8. The network device according to claim 1, further comprising a detection instruction receiving unit configured to receive a detection instruction to select whether the loop detection unit executes a detection of the loop.

9. A method for specifying a location of a network device connected to a network, said method comprising:

detect a loop caused by said network device; and

allowing said network device itself to indicate a location of said network device in response to a detection of the loop.

10. A notification device connectable to a network device, said notification device comprising:

a loop detecting unit configured to detect a loop caused by the network device; and

a location notifying unit configured to allow the notification device itself to indicate a location of said network device in response to a detection of the loop.