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Repeater interface controller with a shared data bus

  • US 5,430,726 A
  • Filed: 09/02/1992
  • Issued: 07/04/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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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:

  • (a) a central node that includes central receiver means for receiving a data packet, central repeater means responsive to receipt of the data packet by the central receiver means for generating a repeated data packet, and central transmitter means for transmitting the repeated data packet;

    (b) a plurality of port nodes, each individual port node being connectable to an associated segment of a local area network and including;

    (i) first port node receiver means for receiving data packets from said port node'"'"'s associated segment of the local area network,(ii) first port node transmitter means for transmitting data packets from the first port node receiver means to the central node,(iii) priority means for identifying the port node that receives a data packet at its first port node receiver means as a source port node such that other of the plurality of port nodes cannot transmit a data packet received from its associated segment to the central node while said port node is identified as the source port node,(iv) second port node receiver means for receiving repeated data packets from the central node, and(v) second port node transmitter means for transmitting repeated data packets from the second port node receiver means to said port node'"'"'s associated segment;

    (vi) configuration and status means for configuring said port node in response to management information and for monitoring events occurring at said port node to produce status information;

    (c) internal bus means connected to each of the port nodes for transferring management and status information to and from the port nodes;

    (d) external interface means for connecting external devices to the repeater interface controller, the external interface means connectable to an external bus, the external bus connectable to an external processor and an external display;

    (e) display and update logic means connected to the internal bus means and to the external interface means for simultaneously controlling both the internal bus means and the external bus, the display and update logic means transferring management and status information from the port nodes to the external display when the display and update logic means controls both the internal bus means and the external bus; and

    (f) bus arbiter means connected to the external processor and to the display and update logic means for alternately providing simultaneous control of both the internal bus means and the external bus to either the display and logic update means or to the external processor,wherein the external processor transfers management and status information to and from the port nodes when the external processor controls both the internal bus means and the external bus.

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