Multi-mode port in a network device for serial and network communication
First Claim
1. A method for providing a multimode port in a network device, the method comprising:
- setting a first mode on the multimode port, wherein the network device can perform serial communication on the multimode port by coupling an adapter to the multimode port, wherein the adapter transmits a ground reference signal to the multimode port in order to permit serial communication on the multimode port;
said adapter comprising a first side including a first side transmit pin, a first side receive pin, and a first side ground pin;
said adapter further comprising a second side including a second side transmit pin for transmitting data to the multimode port, a second side receive pin for receiving data from the multimode port, and a pair of second side ground pins for transmitting the ground reference signal to the multimode port;
said first side transmit pin coupled to the second side transmit pin;
said first side receive pin coupled to the second side receive pin;
said first side ground pin coupled to the pair of second side ground pins; and
setting a second mode on the multimode port, wherein the network device can perform network communication on the multimode port by decoupling the adapter from the multimode port In order to prevent the adapter from transmitting the ground reference signal to the multimode port, thus permitting network communication on the multimode port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment of the invention, a method for providing a multi-mode port in a network device, includes: setting a first mode on the port, wherein the network device can perform serial communication on the port; and setting a second mode on the port, wherein the network device can perform network communication on the port. In another embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for enabling a multi-mode port in a network device, includes an adapter configured for attachment to and detachment from a connector of a port in the network device; wherein the network device can perform serial communication on the port in a first mode; and wherein the network device can perform network communication on the port in a second mode.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing a multimode port in a network device, the method comprising:
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setting a first mode on the multimode port, wherein the network device can perform serial communication on the multimode port by coupling an adapter to the multimode port, wherein the adapter transmits a ground reference signal to the multimode port in order to permit serial communication on the multimode port; said adapter comprising a first side including a first side transmit pin, a first side receive pin, and a first side ground pin; said adapter further comprising a second side including a second side transmit pin for transmitting data to the multimode port, a second side receive pin for receiving data from the multimode port, and a pair of second side ground pins for transmitting the ground reference signal to the multimode port; said first side transmit pin coupled to the second side transmit pin;
said first side receive pin coupled to the second side receive pin;said first side ground pin coupled to the pair of second side ground pins; and setting a second mode on the multimode port, wherein the network device can perform network communication on the multimode port by decoupling the adapter from the multimode port In order to prevent the adapter from transmitting the ground reference signal to the multimode port, thus permitting network communication on the multimode port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for providing a multi-mode port in a network device, comprising:
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means for setting a first mode on the multi-mode port, wherein the network device can perform serial communication on the multi-mode port by coupling the setting means to the multi-mode port, wherein the setting means transmits a ground reference signal to the multi-mode port in order to permit serial communication on the multi-mode port; said setting means comprising a first side including a first side transmit pin, a first side receive pin and a first side ground pin; said setting means further comprising a second side including a second side transmit pin for transmitting data to the multi-mode port, a second side receive pin for receiving data from the multi-mode port, and a pair of second side ground pins for transmitting the ground reference signal to the multi-mode port; said first side transmit pin coupled to the second side transmit pin; said first side receive pin coupled to the second side receive pin; said first side ground pin coupled to the pair of second side ground pins; and means for setting a second mode on the multi-mode port, wherein the network device can perform network communication on the multi-mode port by de-coupling the setting means from the multi-mode port in order to prevent the setting means from transmitting the ground reference signal to the multi-mode port, thus permitting network communication on the multi-mode port. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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9. An apparatus for enabling a multi-mode port in a network device, the apparatus comprising:
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an adapter configured for attachment to and detachment from a connector of the multi-mode port in the network device; wherein the network device can perform serial communication on the multi-mode port In a first mode by coupling the adapter to the connector, wherein the adapter transmits a ground reference signal to the multi-mode port in order to permit serial communication on the multi-mode port; said adapter comprising a first side Including a first side transmit pin, a first side receive pin, and a first side ground pin; said adapter further comprising a second side including a second side transmit pin for transmitting data to the multi-mode port, a second side receive pin for receiving data from the multi-mode port, and a pair of second side ground pins for transmitting the ground reference signal to the multi-mode port; said first side transmit pin coupled to the second side transmit pin;
said first side receive pin coupled to the second side receive pin;said first side ground pin coupled to the pair of second side ground pins; and wherein the network device can perform network communication on the multi-mode port in a second mode by de-coupling the adapter from the connector in order to prevent the adapter from transmitting the ground reference signal to the multi-mode port, thus permitting network communication on the multi-mode port. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification