Abstract: A multi-chassis system includes at least a first chassis and a second chassis that each includes one or more blades. The one or more blades in turn include one or more ports. The two or more chassis are connected through use of an interconnector. The multi-chassis system may also include access to one or more microprocessors that may execute thereon software that controls the propagation of the arm condition. The arm condition is generated at a first port of a first chassis or network analyzer blade coupled to the first chassis. The arm condition is then transmitted to one or more additional ports of the first chassis while not being transmitted to any ports of the second chassis. Finally, the reception of a precondition for triggering defined by the arm condition is limited to those ports that have received the arm condition.

Abstract: Creation of port domains in a multi-chassis system. The multi-chassis system includes two or more chassis that each includes one or more blades. In one embodiment, a sync group of at least two chassis is created, typically by connecting the two or more chassis with an interconnection means such as a sync-cable. Then, two or more ports of the sync group are selected for inclusion in a port domain. The locations of the ports relative to each other is then determined. Finally, a port domain is generated based on the relative locations of the ports and port domain generation rules. If the ports are on separate chassis, then a global domain is generated if a predetermined number of global domains do not already exist and if the ports are on the same chassis, a local domain is generated regardless of the number of global domains.

Abstract: A multi-chassis system includes at least a first chassis and a second chassis that each includes one or more blades. The one or more blades in turn include one or more ports. The two or more chassis are connected through use of an interconnector. The multi-chassis system may also include access to one or more microprocessors that may execute thereon software that controls the propagation of the arm condition. The arm condition is generated at a first port of a first chassis or network analyzer blade coupled to the first chassis. The arm condition is then transmitted to one or more additional ports of the first chassis while not being transmitted to any ports of the second chassis. Finally, the reception of a precondition for triggering defined by the arm condition is limited to those ports that have received the arm condition.

Abstract: Creation of port domains in a multi-chassis system. The multi-chassis system includes two or more chassis that each includes one or more blades. In one embodiment, a sync group of at least two chassis is created, typically by connecting the two or more chassis with an interconnection means such as a sync-cable. Then, two or more ports of the sync group are selected for inclusion in a port domain. The locations of the ports relative to each other is then determined. Finally, a port domain is generated based on the relative locations of the ports and port domain generation rules. If the ports are on separate chassis, then a global domain is generated if a predetermined number of global domains do not already exist and if the ports are on the same chassis, a local domain is generated regardless of the number of global domains.

Abstract: A dual optical fiber transceiver, for use with first and second optical fibers, includes a laser transmitter for transmitting laser light into the first optical fiber, a laser light receiver for receiving laser light from the second optical fiber, and a controller coupled to the laser transmitter and laser light receiver. The controller includes a multi-protocol state machine for establishing the full duplex connection whenever the other device operates in compliance with either (A) a predefined "on-off-on" signaling protocol for establishing full duplex connections, or (B) a second predefined signaling protocol for establishing full duplex connections. In a preferred embodiment, the predefined "on-off-on" signaling protocol is the Open Fiber Control (OFC) protocol and the second predefined signaling protocol is a standard "laser transmitter always on" protocol.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement in circuit switching for a network comprising a switching apparatus including a plurality of transceivers for interfacing directly with a like plurality of nodes. Each of the transceivers has a receive and transmit through port for passing data to and from nodes. Transmitted data includes a connect/disconnect sequence, a first wait sequence, and user data. The switching apparatus further includes circuitry for isolating each transceiver so as to loop back data when not in use and a switching matrix for directly connecting any pair of transceivers. Each of the transceivers includes circuitry for detecting a connect and disconnect sequence and an interface for connection to a serial asynchronous receiver to derive node requests, routing data, priority and other information from the connect sequence detected at the transceiver.