Module for distributed network repeater
First Claim
1. A module for serving as a part of a multi-module distributed network repeater configured to select between half-duplex and full duplex communication, comprising:
- at least two ports for connections with other modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater;
circuitry configured to determine whether at least two of the at least two ports are coupled to ports of modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater such that three or more modules are coupled to one another;
circuitry configured to transmit information indicating the determination to at least one module of the multi-module distributed network repeater;
circuitry configured to receive information from another module indicating that at least two of at least two ports of the another module of the multi-module distributed network repeater are coupled to ports of modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater such that three or more modules are coupled to one another;
circuitry configured to set the module to half-duplex mode when the determination by the module or the received information indicates that three or more modules are coupled to one another; and
circuitry configured to automatically set the module to full duplex mode if all modules have exactly one port coupled to a port of another module such that the multi-module distributed network repeater consists of only two modules, substantially without the need for operator manipulation.
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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 appropriate full/half-duplex mode operation or detecting and/or configuring in response to appropriate or approved cable-type connections. The distributed and/or modular repeater facilitates accommodating various switching or repeater needs as a network grows or contracts.
63 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A module for serving as a part of a multi-module distributed network repeater configured to select between half-duplex and full duplex communication, comprising:
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at least two ports for connections with other modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater; circuitry configured to determine whether at least two of the at least two ports are coupled to ports of modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater such that three or more modules are coupled to one another; circuitry configured to transmit information indicating the determination to at least one module of the multi-module distributed network repeater; circuitry configured to receive information from another module indicating that at least two of at least two ports of the another module of the multi-module distributed network repeater are coupled to ports of modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater such that three or more modules are coupled to one another; circuitry configured to set the module to half-duplex mode when the determination by the module or the received information indicates that three or more modules are coupled to one another; and circuitry configured to automatically set the module to full duplex mode if all modules have exactly one port coupled to a port of another module such that the multi-module distributed network repeater consists of only two modules, substantially without the need for operator manipulation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A module for serving as a part of a multi-module distributed network repeater configured to select between half-duplex and full duplex communication, comprising:
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means for providing at least two ports for connections with other modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater; means for determining whether at least two of the at least two ports are coupled to ports of modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater such that three or more modules are coupled to one another; means for transmitting information indicating the determination to at least one module of the multi-module distributed network repeater; means for receiving information from another module indicating that at least two of at least two ports of the another module of the multi-module distributed network repeater are coupled to ports of modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater such that three or more modules are coupled to one another; means for setting the module to half-duplex mode when the determination by the module or the received information indicates that three or more modules are coupled to one another; and means for automatically setting the module to full duplex mode if all modules have exactly one port coupled to a port of another module such that the multi-module distributed network repeater consists of only two modules, substantially without the need for operator manipulation. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 35)
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17. A method implemented in a module that serves as a part of a multi-module distributed network repeater configured to select between half-duplex and full duplex communication, wherein the module comprises at least two ports for connections with other modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater, the method comprising:
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determining whether at least two of the at least two ports are coupled to ports of modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater such that three or more modules are coupled to one another; transmitting information indicating the determination to at least one module of the multi-module distributed network repeater, thereby enabling the at least one module to set its mode to half-duplex mode when the information that is transmitted indicates that three or more modules are coupled to one another; receiving information from another module indicating that at least two of at least two ports of the another module of the multi-module distributed network repeater are coupled to ports of modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater such that three or more modules are coupled to one another; setting the module to half-duplex mode when the determination by the module or the received information indicates that three or more modules are coupled to one another; and automatically setting the module to full duplex mode if all modules have exactly one port coupled to a port of another module such that the multi-module distributed network repeater consists of only two modules, substantially without the need for operator manipulation. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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36. A module for serving as a part of a multi-module distributed network repeater configured to select between half-duplex and full duplex communication, comprising:
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at least two ports for connections with other modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater; circuitry configured to determine whether at least two of the at least two ports are coupled to ports of modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater such that the multi-module distributed network repeater includes three or more modules; circuitry configured to transmit information indicating the determination to at least one module of the multi-module distributed network repeater; circuitry configured to receive information from another module indicating that at least two of at least two ports of the another module of the multi-module distributed network repeater are coupled to ports of modules of the multi-module distributed network repeater such that the multi-module distributed network repeater includes three or more modules; and circuitry configured to set the module to half-duplex when the determination by the module or the received information indicates that the multi-module distributed network repeater includes three or more modules.
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Specification