Network device, method for specifying installation position of network device, and notification device

• US 8,250,208 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2009
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Buffalo Incorporated (Melco Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Buffalo Incorporated (Melco Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Niimi, Tomoharu
• Primary Examiner(s): DENNISON, JERRY B
• Application Number:
  US12/399,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20090282145A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 709/224
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies

Abstract

A network device, method for specifying installation position of network device, and notification device are provided. The network device includes: a loop detecting unit configured to detect a loop caused by the network device; and a location notifying unit configured to allow the network device itself to indicate a location of the network device in response to a detection of the loop.

Claims

1. A network device comprising:

a chip configured to detect a loop caused by the network device in which a frame permanently circulates between the network device and at least one other network device;

a processor configured to control the network device to indicate a location of the network device in response to a detection of the loop;

a plurality of ports connectable to a network; and

a circuit configured to recognize a new connection to one of the ports, wherein

the chip is configured to perform a loop detecting process of detecting the loop iteratively at a first time interval, and perform the loop detecting process at a second time interval that is shorter than the first time interval for a predetermined time period from recognizing the new connection.

2. The network device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a notifier configured to output at least one of a visible indication and an audible indication in response to the detection of the loop.

3. The network device according to claim 2, wherein the notifier comprises a buzzer, and the processor is configured to control the buzzer to sound in response to the detection of the loop.

4. The network device according to claim 2, further comprising:

an interface configured to receive a switching instruction to select whether to output the audible indication when the notifier is configured to output the audible indication.

5. The network device according to claim 4, wherein the interface includes a manual switch manually operable to select whether to output the audible indication.

6. The network device according to claim 2, wherein the notifier comprises a light emitting diode, and the processor is configured to control the light emitting diode to light or flash in response to the detection of the loop.

7. The network device according to claim 2,

wherein the chip is configured to specify a port of the plurality of ports which contributes to the loop, and control the network device to indicate the port contributing to the loop.

8. The network device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an interface configured to receive a detection instruction to select whether the chip executes a detection of the loop.

11. The network device according to claim 1,

wherein the chip is configured to broadcast a loop check packet through the plurality of ports, and detect the loop when the check packet is returned within a predetermined time period.

12. The network device according to claim 1,

wherein the chip is configured to perform a loop detecting process for detecting the loop in response to recognizing the new connection.

9. A method for specifying a location of a network device connected to a network, the method comprising:

detecting a loop caused by the network device in which a frame permanently circulates between the network device and at least one other network device;

indicating, by the network device, location of the network device in response to a detection of the loop; and

recognizing a new connection to one of a plurality of ports of the network device that are connectable to a network, wherein

the detecting includes a loop detecting process of detecting the loop iteratively at a first time interval, and the loop detecting process is performed at a second time interval that is shorter than the first time interval for a predetermined time period from recognizing the new connection.

10. A notification device connectable to a network device including a plurality of ports connectable to a network, the notification device comprising:

a chip configured to detect a loop caused by the network device in which a frame permanently circulates between the network device and at least one other network device;

a processor configured to control the notification device to indicate a location of the network device in response to a detection of the loop; and

a circuit configured to recognize a new connection to one of the ports,

wherein the chip is configured to perform a loop detecting process of detecting the loop iteratively at a first time interval, and perform the loop detecting process at a second time interval that is shorter than the first time interval for a predetermined time period from recognizing the new connection.