Cable detect and EMI reduction apparatus and method

• US 6,462,435 B1
• Filed: 06/11/1999
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Covaro, Mark, Twiss, Robert Gregory, Parameswaran, Gopakumar, MacKay, Gordon, Hastings, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Fritz
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIOS CUEVAS, ROBERTO JOSE
• Application Number:
  US09/330,478
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 439/607, 439/505, 439/698, 439/489, 439/65, 439/955, 439/34, 439/188, 439/638, 439/620, 307/116, 307/125, 307/89, 324/66
• US Class Current: 307/89
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5219 Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6581 Shield structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7036 the switch being in series with coupling part, e.g. dead coupling, explosion proof coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/508 Pulse generation, e.g. generation of solitons
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/927 Conductive gasket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/955 including electronic identifier or coding means

Abstract

A repeater, useable for connecting switches in a data communication network, is provided in a distributed and/or modular fashion. The repeater includes a plurality of separate and distinct components or modules connected to or at least partially housed in, the various switches which the repeater modules couple. Preferably, the repeater autodetects and/or autoconfigures some or all aspects of repeater operations, such as detecting and/or configuring in response to appropriate or approved cable-type connections. A conductive, sealing member on a cable connector substantially reduces or eliminates EMI.

Claims

1. A method, useable in a data network which includes communication over at least a first multi-wire cable, between first and second network devices during normal operation of said first and second network devices, the method for distinguishing at least a characteristic-of-interest related to said cable, a first end of said first cable being coupled, during said normal operation, to a connector in said first network device, the method comprising:

providing in said multi-wire cable, at least a detectable first electrical characteristic;

said first electrical characteristic being indicative that the multi-wire cable is compliant with predetermined criteria;

said first electrical characteristic being different than digital information signals carried over the cable which are used for communicating information to at least one of the network devices;

wherein said first electrical characteristic is indicative that said cable is compliant with said predetermined criteria when said first electrical characteristic has a substantially non-zero, finite value.

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first electrical characteristic is provided with respect to first and second conducts of said multi-wire cable.

3. A method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said fist electrical characteristics is related to resistance between said first and second conductors.

4. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first network device is a network switch.

5. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first network device comprises at least a portion of a network repeater.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

using said first electrical characteristic to determine whether the multi-wire cable is compliant with predetermined criteria; and

automatically preventing use of the multi-wire cable in response to a determination that the multi-wire cable is not compliant with said predetermined criteria.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising automatically allowing use of the multi-wire cable in response to a determination That the multi-wire cable is compliant with said predetermined criteria.

8. A method, useable in a data network which includes communication over at least a first multi-wire cable, between first and second network devices during normal operation of said first and second network devices, the method for distinguishing at least a characteristic-of-interest related to said cable, the method comprising:

connecting a first end of said first cable, during said normal operation, to a connector in said first network deice;

the multi-wire cable including a first electrical characteristic;

said first electrical characteristic being indicative that the multi-wire cable is compliant with predetermined criteria;

said first electrical characteristic being different than digital information signals carried over he cable which are used for communication information to at least one of the network devices;

using said first electrical characteristic to determine whether the multi-wire cable is compliant with predetermined criteria; and

automatically preventing use of the multi-wire cable in response to a determination that the multi-wire cable is not compliant with said predetermined criteria.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first electrical characteristic is provided with respect to first and second conductors of said multi-wire cable.

10. A method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first electrical characteristics is related to resistance between said first and second conductors.

11. A method, as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said first network device is a network switch.

12. A method, as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said first network device comprises at least a portion of a network repeater.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising automatically allowing use of the multi-wire cable in response to a determination that the multi-wire cable is compliant with said predetermined criteria.

14. A system, useable in a data network which includes communication over at least a first multi-wire cable, between first and second network devices during normal operation of said first and second network devices, the system for distinguishing at least a characteristic-of-interest related to said cable, a first end of said first cable being coupled during said normal operation, to a connector in said first network device, the system comprising:

means for providing a first electrical characteristic in said multi-wire cable;

said first electrical characteristic being indicative that the multi-wire cable is compliant with predetermined criteria;

said first electrical characteristic being different than digital information signals carried over the cable which are used for communication information to at least one of the network devices;

wherein said first electrical characteristic is indicative that said cable is compliant with said predetermined criteria when said first electrical characteristic has a substantially non-zero, finite value.

15. A system, as claimed in claim 14, wherein said first electrical characteristic is provided with respect to and second conductors of said multi-wire cable.

16. A system, as claimed in claim 15, wherein said first electrical characteristics is related to resistance between said first and second conductors.

17. A system, as claimed in claim 14, wherein:

said first network device is a network switch.

18. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein:

said first network device comprises at least a portion of a network repeater.

19. The system of claim 14 further comprising:

means for using said first electrical characteristic to determine whether the multi-wire cable is compliant with predetermined criteria; and

means for automatically preventing use of the multi-wire cable in response to a determination that the multi-wire cable is not compliant with said predetermined criteria.

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising automatically allowing use of the multi-wire cable in response to a determination that the multi-wire cable is compliant with said predetermined criteria.

21. Apparatus for use with at least a first network device comprising

a multi-wire cable including at least a first, transmit pair, a second, receive pair, and a third pair of conductors,

a connector for coupling said cable to said network device during normal use of said network device;

at least a first resistor coupled in parallel between said third pair of conductors providing at least a first predetermined, finite, non-zero resistance therebetween, wherein said first resistor is within said cable.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein said resistance is about 200 ohms.