Token ring expander and/or hub
First Claim
1. In a computer communications network the improvement comprising a portable communications network-hub device having a plurality of input/output ports, each for connection to an input/output port of a respective computer fitted with a token ring adaptor, a trunk insertion unit having an electrical connector for adaptively coupling the device into an expansion port of a local area network (LAN) implemented as a token ring, and an internal token ring adapted to pass serially through each of the device ports and the trunk insertion unit, wherein each of said device ports comprises first and second switch means and control means therefor, said first switch means normally closing the internal token ring for isolating the latter from the associated device port, said first switch means for inserting a computer connected to the associated device port into said internal token ring when operated by said control means, and said second switch means normally closing a bias signal line for isolating the latter from an associated device port, which bias signal line extends from the open circuit at one end through each said device port to output terminals in said electrical connector of said trunk insertion unit, said second switch means for connecting said bias signal line to a bias voltage source in the connected associated computer when operated by said control means, and wherein said control means in each port is adapted to be responsive to the token ring adaptor of said associated computer whereby the device port to which the computer is connected takes part in the standard computer protocols for communicating on a token ring, at the completion of which protocols said first switch means are operated so as to install the said associated computer into said internal token ring and said second switch means are operated so as to provide a bias voltage signal provided by the associated computer on said output terminals in the electrical connector of the trunk insertion unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a communications network, a portable token ring hub which serves as a computer communications network for a plurality of computers and answers to the protocol requirements of the computer adapter cards configured to a token ring topology and which also serves as an expander with respect to an installed token ring LAN. The hub comprises a plurality of input/output ports including respective sockets into each of which an adapter card of a respective computer plugs, a trunk insertion unit having an outlet port to which a wander lead and a trunk coupling device plug are connected, and an internal token ring which is normally a closed ring but into which each of the said input/output ports and the outlet port are inserted by means of relay contacts in accordance with the requirements of the token ring protocol.
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Citations
7 Claims
- 1. In a computer communications network the improvement comprising a portable communications network-hub device having a plurality of input/output ports, each for connection to an input/output port of a respective computer fitted with a token ring adaptor, a trunk insertion unit having an electrical connector for adaptively coupling the device into an expansion port of a local area network (LAN) implemented as a token ring, and an internal token ring adapted to pass serially through each of the device ports and the trunk insertion unit, wherein each of said device ports comprises first and second switch means and control means therefor, said first switch means normally closing the internal token ring for isolating the latter from the associated device port, said first switch means for inserting a computer connected to the associated device port into said internal token ring when operated by said control means, and said second switch means normally closing a bias signal line for isolating the latter from an associated device port, which bias signal line extends from the open circuit at one end through each said device port to output terminals in said electrical connector of said trunk insertion unit, said second switch means for connecting said bias signal line to a bias voltage source in the connected associated computer when operated by said control means, and wherein said control means in each port is adapted to be responsive to the token ring adaptor of said associated computer whereby the device port to which the computer is connected takes part in the standard computer protocols for communicating on a token ring, at the completion of which protocols said first switch means are operated so as to install the said associated computer into said internal token ring and said second switch means are operated so as to provide a bias voltage signal provided by the associated computer on said output terminals in the electrical connector of the trunk insertion unit.
Specification