Reconfigurable network interface architecture

• US 6,721,872 B1
• Filed: 01/18/2000
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Kalavade, Asawaree, Dunlop, Alfred Earl
• Primary Examiner(s): Pan, Daniel H.
• Application Number:
  US09/484,720
• Time in Patent Office: 1,547 Days
• Field of Search: 712/28, 712/29, 712/25, 709/221, 709/228, 709/230, 709/231, 709/400, 709/248, 370/445, 439/61
• US Class Current: 712/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/387 for adaptation of different data processing systems to different peripheral devices, e.g. protocol converters for incompatible systems, open system

Abstract

A network interface architecture includes a processor having an associated program memory, and a programmable logic device coupled to the processor. A connection port of the logic device is adapted to be coupled to a medium of a selected network having a defined network protocol, and the logic device has an associated configuration memory. A data communication path is coupled to the processor and the logic device, and is arranged to connect with a host device for transferring data between the host device and a network to which the logic device is coupled. The processor responds to information identifying a selected network by loading corresponding network protocol data from the configuration memory and the program memory into the logic device and the processor. The host device may include, without limitation, a personal, lap top, desk top or hand-held computer, a network appliance, file server, printer, vending machine, cell phone or the like.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable network interface comprising:

a processor for controlling operations of the interface, the processor comprising an associated program memory; and

a programmable logic device comprising a connection port adapted to be connected to a current network, the logic device comprising an associated configuration memory,

wherein the processor is further adapted to load a newly selected set of network protocol data different from a current set of protocol data into the logic device and the processor in response to trigger information identifying a new network and to reconfigure the interface in response to said trigger information so that a host device can communicate with other devices over the new network.

2. The network interface according to claim 1, further comprising a medium dependent physical interface associated with the connection port of the logic device for operatively connecting the connection port with a physical medium of a new network.

3. The network interface according to claim 2, wherein said trigger information is produced in response to a change of the medium dependent physical interface.

4. The network interface according to claim 2 wherein the medium dependent physical interface is adapted to mate with a connector associated with a twisted wire pair network.

5. The network interface according to claim 2, wherein the medium dependent physical interface is adapted to mate with a connector associated with a coaxial cable network.

6. The network interface according to claim 2, wherein the medium dependent physical interface is adapted to mate with a connector associated with a fiber optic network.

7. The network interface according to claim 2, wherein the medium dependent physical interface comprises a wireless transceiver.

8. The network interface according to claim 7, wherein the medium dependent physical interface comprises an antenna.

9. The network interface according to claim 2, wherein the medium dependent physical interface comprises an adapter cable.

10. The network interface according to claim 2, wherein the medium dependent physical interface comprises a transition connector.

11. The network interface according to claim 1, wherein said trigger information is produced in response to an operation of the host device.

12. The network interface according to claim 1, wherein the configuration and the program memories comprise non-volatile memories, and the processor is further adapted to transfer network protocol data from the host device for storage in said memories.

13. The network interface according to claim 1, wherein the configuration and the program memories comprise non-volatile memories, and the processor is further adapted to transfer network protocol data from a network to which the logic device is connected for storage in said memories.

14. The network interface according to claim 1, further comprising a data communications path adapted to connect the processor and logic device, the path comprising a first and second bus, and a bridge adapted to be connected between the first and the second busses, wherein the bridge is adapted to selectively transfer data between the first bus and the second bus.

15. The network interface according to claim 14, wherein the data communication path comprises a dual port memory having a first port adapted to be connected to the logic device and a second port connected to the first bus.

16. The network interface according to claim 14, wherein the data communication path comprises a dual port memory having a first port adapted to be connected to the second bus and a second port adapted to be connected to a bus of the host device.

17. The network interface according to claim 16, wherein the bridge comprises circuitry for producing a semaphore flag so that one of said logic device or said processor can access the second bus only when the flag indicates a free condition wherein the second bus is not being accessed by the other one of said logic device or said processor.

18. The network interface according to claim 1, wherein the interface comprises a plug-in card.

19. The network interface according to claim 18 wherein the card comprises terminals adapted for connection with card slot terminals in the host device.