Repeater interface controller with multiple port node interfaces
First Claim
1. A repeater interface controller for connecting a plurality of segments of a local area network, the repeater interface controller comprising:
- (a) a central node that includes;
central receiver means for receiving data packets,decoder means responsive to receipt of the data packets for decoding each of the data packets received by the central receiver means to form decoded data packets;
repeater means responsive to receipt of the decoded data packets for repeating each of the decoded data packets to form repeated data packets, andcentral transmitter means for transmitting the repeated data packets; and
(b) a plurality of port nodes connected to the central node, each port node being connectable to a corresponding one of the plurality of segments, at least one port node including;
(i) first port receiving means for receiving one or more encoded data packets from an external interface connected to said corresponding segment of the local area network, the first port receiver means including means for supporting one of a plurality of different external interfaces,(ii) first port transmitter means for transmitting each of the one or more encoded data packets to the central node,(iii) priority means for identifying the port node that first received one or more data packets as a source port node such that other of the plurality of port nodes cannot transmit data packets received from their corresponding segments to the central node while said port node is identified as the source port node,(iv) second port receiver means for receiving the repeated data packets from the central node, and(v) second port transmitter means for transmitting the repeated data packets received from the central node to said corresponding segment when said port node is not identified as the source port node.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A repeater interface controller receives a data packet at one of a plurality of port nodes from an associated segment of a local area network. At least one port node is configurable as either an attachment unit interface or a twisted pair interface. The port nodes determine a priority port node, of more than one port node receives a data packet at substantially the same time, and transmit the data packet from the priority port node to a central node. The central node receives the data packet from the priority node, repeats the data packet, and transmits the repeated data packet to the non-priority port nodes. Each non-priority port node receives the repeated data packet and transmits the repeated data onto its associated segment.
93 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A repeater interface controller for connecting a plurality of segments of a local area network, the repeater interface controller comprising:
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(a) a central node that includes; central receiver means for receiving data packets, decoder means responsive to receipt of the data packets for decoding each of the data packets received by the central receiver means to form decoded data packets; repeater means responsive to receipt of the decoded data packets for repeating each of the decoded data packets to form repeated data packets, and central transmitter means for transmitting the repeated data packets; and (b) a plurality of port nodes connected to the central node, each port node being connectable to a corresponding one of the plurality of segments, at least one port node including; (i) first port receiving means for receiving one or more encoded data packets from an external interface connected to said corresponding segment of the local area network, the first port receiver means including means for supporting one of a plurality of different external interfaces, (ii) first port transmitter means for transmitting each of the one or more encoded data packets to the central node, (iii) priority means for identifying the port node that first received one or more data packets as a source port node such that other of the plurality of port nodes cannot transmit data packets received from their corresponding segments to the central node while said port node is identified as the source port node, (iv) second port receiver means for receiving the repeated data packets from the central node, and (v) second port transmitter means for transmitting the repeated data packets received from the central node to said corresponding segment when said port node is not identified as the source port node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification