Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection and communication of a missing LAN or WAN compliant device is disclosed. The method and apparatus provide a front card configured to accept a Fast Ethernet device on a PCI-compliant bus, and the front card includes a switch which is serially disposed on a PCI_Idsel line corresponding to a particular channel of the front card. The switch is further configured to receive a sensing signal corresponding to the channel from the device. The apparatus is configured to provide the PCI_Idsel line to the front card if the sensing signal is in a first state, and to provide a low potential to the front card if the sensing signal is in a second state.

Abstract: A system and method for switching data using a high-speed packet switch are described. Multiple communications are received along at least one input communication line. Each communication is framed into one or more packets, each packet containing destination information related to a destination module for a predetermined amount of data contained within each packet. Each packet is then transmitted to the destination module based on the destination information. Each packet is further retrieved from one storage module of multiple storage modules contained within the destination module at a rate dictated by a destination address field contained within the destination information and multiplexed to obtain a communication to be transmitted along an output communication line.

Abstract: A system for selectively forming high-speed serial connections between various components of a network device that includes a multiplexing switch coupled a GE slot and to the high speed serial interfaces of a PHY and at least two network devices. The switch can be programmed to connect the serial interfaces of the two network modules to provide a high-speed, low-latency serial link between the two network modules. Alternatively, the serial interface of a network module can be connected to the GE slot to provide a high-speed, low-latency serial link between the network module and the GE slot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described that provides queuing traffic to many destinations covering a wide range of communication interface speeds while minimizing buffer size. A plurality of communication interface boards that distribute packets are coupled to a processing module that segments information into packets. Each communication interface board has an individual packet transmission speed. A buffer is provided in the communication interface boards according to the transmission speed of the board.