Automatic communication protocol detection system and method for network systems
First Claim
1. A network interface system for coupling to and interfacing with any network device that operates according to at least one of a plurality of communication protocols, the network interface system comprising:
- a port for coupling to a network device, the network device operating according to at least one of a plurality of communication protocols and providing a corresponding one of a plurality of connection indications via the port;
a plurality of interface circuits coupled to the port, each corresponding to one of the plurality of communication protocols and each indicating detection of a compatible network device that is coupled to the port and providing a connection indication via the port; and
control logic, coupled to the plurality of interface circuits, that enables any one of the plurality of interface circuits indicating detection of a compatible network device to enable communication with the network device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communication protocol detection system for enabling a network system to detect and interface one or more network devices each operating according to at least one of a plurality of different communication protocols. In one embodiment, a network interface card (NIC) is capable of operating according to one of two different communication protocols, such as the 10Base-T and 100Base-TX Ethernet Standards. The NIC includes two corresponding transceivers, where the transceivers are interfaced to a network connector for interfacing an external network device. Control logic initially enables the 10Base-T transceiver to determine if link pulses are detected. If link pulses are detected, the 100Base-T transceiver is enabled to determine if it detects the link pulses. If so, the 100Base-T transceiver is used to establish communications, and if not, the 10Base-T transceiver is used. Preferably, the 100Base-T transceiver is re-enabled a predetermined number of times to determine if the network device is a 100 Mbps device. In another embodiment, a repeater includes a plurality of interface circuits, each including a plurality of transceivers. Each of the transceivers of each of the interface circuits of each port is connected to a corresponding repeater module through an array of buses. Control logic enables the transceivers one at a time within each interface circuit and correspondingly monitors the corresponding link signal. When an enabled transceiver detects link pulses, that transceiver is used to establish communications. If a link signal indicates termination of communications, enabling of the transceivers one at a time is resumed.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A network interface system for coupling to and interfacing with any network device that operates according to at least one of a plurality of communication protocols, the network interface system comprising:
-
a port for coupling to a network device, the network device operating according to at least one of a plurality of communication protocols and providing a corresponding one of a plurality of connection indications via the port; a plurality of interface circuits coupled to the port, each corresponding to one of the plurality of communication protocols and each indicating detection of a compatible network device that is coupled to the port and providing a connection indication via the port; and control logic, coupled to the plurality of interface circuits, that enables any one of the plurality of interface circuits indicating detection of a compatible network device to enable communication with the network device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A communication protocol detection system for interfacing with at least one of a plurality of network devices, wherein each of the plurality of network devices operates according to at least one of a plurality of different communication protocols, the communication protocol detection system comprising:
-
a plurality of network ports; a plurality of interface circuits, each corresponding to one of the plurality of network ports and each including a plurality of transceivers, wherein each of the plurality of transceivers of each of the plurality of interface circuits is coupled to the corresponding one of the plurality of network ports and corresponds to one of the plurality of communication protocols, and wherein each of the plurality of transceivers provides a detection indication upon detection of a compatible connection indication provided via the corresponding one of the plurality of network ports; and control logic, coupled to each of the plurality of transceivers of each of the plurality of interface circuits, that enables any of the plurality of transceivers within each of the plurality of interface circuits that provides a detection indication. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of detecting the communication protocol of a network device operating according to at least one of a plurality of communication protocols coupled to a network port of a network system, the network system including a plurality of transceivers coupled to the network port, wherein each of the plurality of transceivers corresponds to one of the plurality of communication protocols, and wherein each of the transceivers provides a detection indication upon detection of a compatible connection indication provided via the port, the method comprising the steps of:
-
for each transceiver, determining if a corresponding detection indication is provided; and establishing communications via the port using a transceiver providing a detection indication. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
-
Specification