Arrangement for an enhanced communication network tap port aggregator and methods thereof

• US 8,582,472 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2011
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keysight Technologies Singapore (Holdings) Pte. Limited. (Keysight Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Net Optics Incorporated (Keysight Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Matityahu, Eldad, Shaw, Robert, Carpio, Dennis Angelo Ramirez, Lee, Dong Su, Le, Ky Hong
• Primary Examiner(s): CHO, HONG SOL
• Application Number:
  US13/036,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20110149801A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 370/252, 370/254, 370/255, 370389-392, 370/400, 370/401
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0829 Packet loss
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

An arrangement in a network device for facilitating multiple connection speeds with a network is provided. The arrangement includes a set of network ports that includes a set of input network ports for receiving data traffic and a set of output network ports for outputting the data traffic from the network device. The arrangement also includes a logic component configured for managing the data traffic and for aggregating the data traffic. The arrangement further includes a monitoring port that is configured to receive the aggregated data traffic. The arrangement also includes a plurality of physical layer interfaces, wherein each physical layer interface is configured to support the multiple connection speeds. The arrangement moreover includes a media access controller that is configured to support at least a single connection speed of the multiple connection speeds.

Claims

1. An arrangement in a network device for facilitating multiple connection speeds with a network, comprising:

a set of network ports, said set of network ports including a set of input network ports for receiving data traffic and a set of output network ports for outputting said data traffic from said network device;

a logic component configured for managing said data traffic and for aggregating said data traffic into aggregated data traffic;

a monitoring port, said monitoring port being configured to receive said aggregated data traffic from said logic component;

a plurality of physical layer interfaces (PHY'"'"'s), each physical layer interface (PHY) of said plurality of PHY'"'"'s being configured to support said multiple connection speeds, wherein a first PHY of said plurality of PHY'"'"'s is configured to include a first logic for performing link setup, said link setup including determining the best speed for optimal performance, wherein said first logic of said first PHY includes performing auto-negotiation to perform said link setup based on the speed of an end-device connected to one of said set of network ports; and

a media access controller (MAC), said MAC being configured to support at least a single connection speed of said multiple connection speeds, whereas said data traffic is configured to traverse said network device between said set of input network ports and said set of output network ports irrespective whether power is provided to circuitry of said network device.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said first logic of said first PHY includes performing force mode to perform said link setup, said force mode being determined based on a user'"'"'s configuration preference.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said MAC is configured to include a second logic for performing link setup, said link setup including determining the best speed for optimal performance.

4. The arrangement of claim 3 wherein said second logic of said MAC includes performing auto-negotiation to perform said link setup based on the speed of an end-device connected to one of said set of network ports.

5. The arrangement of claim 3 wherein said second logic of said MAC includes performing force mode to perform said link setup, said force mode being determined based on a user'"'"'s configuration preference.

6. An arrangement in a network device for facilitating active response between a monitoring device and a set of end-devices, comprising:

a set of network ports, said set of network ports including a set of input network ports for receiving data traffic and a set of output network ports for outputting said data traffic from said network device;

a monitoring port, said monitoring port being configured at least for transmitting a set of instructions from said monitoring device coupled to said monitoring port; and

logic arrangement configured at least for

receiving said set of instructions, and

transmitting said set of instructions to at least one end-device of said set of end-devices, whereas said data traffic is configured to traverse said network device between said set of input network ports and said set of output network ports irrespective whether power is provided to circuitry of said network device;

wherein said logic arrangement is a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), said FPGA is configured to include a bridge, said bridge being configured to receive said set of instructions, and said bridge is configured to multicast said set of instructions to a plurality of end-devices coupled to said set of network ports.

7. The arrangement-of claim 6 wherein said set of instructions is embodied within a set of control packets.

8. The arrangement of claim 6 wherein said set of instructions includes a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) reset.

9. An arrangement in a network device for facilitating power over Ethernet (POE) over a network comprising;

a first network port, said first network port being configured to receive a signal, said signal including data packets and power packets;

a second network port, said second network port being configured to receive said signal from said first network port; and

a plurality of transformers configured at least for coupling said first network port to said second network port; and

a plurality of center taps configured at least for transferring, said power packets from said first network port to said second network port, whereas data traffic is configured to traverse said network device between said first network port and said second network port irrespective whether power is provided to circuitry of said network device.

10. The arrangement of claim 9 wherein said first network port is configured to include a first set of connector pins, said first set of connector pins is configured to receive said signal.

11. The arrangement of claim 10 wherein said second network is configured to include a second set of connector pins, said second set of connector pins is configured to receive said power packets.

12. The arrangement of claim 11 wherein a first transformer of said plurality of transformers is associated with said first set of connector pins and a second transformer of said plurality of transformers is associated with said second set of connector pins, said first transformer is coupled to said second transformer to enable coupling between said first set of connector pins and said second set of connector pins.

13. The arrangement of claim 12 wherein said coupling is facilitated by a set of magnetics.

14. An arrangement in a network device for facilitating power over Ethernet (POE) over a network, comprising:

a first network port, said first network port being configured to receive a signal, said signal including data packets and power packets;

a second network port, said second network port being configured to receive said signal from said first network port; and

a plurality of transformers configured at least for coupling said first network port to said second network port;

a plurality of center taps configured at least for transferring, said power packets from said first network port to said second network port, whereas data traffic is configured to traverse said network device between said first network port and said second network port irrespective whether power is provided to circuitry of said network device;

wherein said first network port is configured to include a first set of connector pins, said first set of connector pins is configured to receive said signal;

wherein said second network is configured to include a second set of connector pins, said second set of connector pins is configured to receive said power packets;

wherein a first transformer of said plurality of transformers is associated with said first set of connector pins and a second transformer of said plurality of transformers is associated with said second set of connector pins, said first transformer is coupled to said second transformer to enable coupling between said first set of connector pins and said second set of connector pins; and

wherein a first center tap of said plurality of center taps, connected to said first transformer, is coupled to a second center tap of said plurality of center taps, connected to said second transformer, to create a bridge between said first transformer and said second transformer, said bridge being a bypass route to transfer said power packets between said first network port and said second network port.