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System for expanding ports wherein segment switch selectively associates plurality of hubs coupled to first arbiter and plurality of hubs coupled to second arbiter

  • US 5,621,893 A
  • Filed: 11/22/1994
  • Issued: 04/15/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for expanding the number of ports available to a local area hub network including a plurality of hubs coupled along a common memory bus, wherein said hubs must be granted controlling access to said memory bus before transmitting packets on the memory bus, comprising the steps of:

  • providing a plurality of hubs;

    providing a first segment arbiter means for granting a hub controlling access to a first segment memory bus for transmission of a packet on said first segment memory bus based upon an internal protocol;

    providing a second segment arbiter means for granting a hub controlling access to a second segment memory bus for transmission of a packet on said second segment memory bus based upon an internal protocol;

    coupling said plurality of hubs to said first segment arbiter means and said second segment arbiter means via a segment switch, wherein said segment switch selectively associates said plurality of said hubs with said first segment arbiter means and said second segment arbiter means to form separate and distinct system units.

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