Abstract: The technique is disclosed for detecting active ports of an electronic device. The electronic device comprises a plurality of ports, including a first port. A determination is automatically performed as to whether an external component is connected to the first port. The first port is identified as an active port in response to a determination that an external component is connected to the first port. If there no external component is connected to the first port, then the first port is identified as an inactive port. The inactive and active ports may then be distinguished and treated differently during subsequent control and/or management of the plurality of ports. According different implementations the first port may be identified as an active port in response to detection of a capacitive, resistive, and/or inductive load connected to the first port. The first port as may also be identified an active port in response to a determination that a current is flowing through the first port.

Abstract: A two-phase packet processing technique is provided for routing traffic in a packet-switched, integrated services network which supports a plurality of different service classes. During Phase I, packets are retrieved from the router input interface and classified in order to identify the associated priority level of each packet and/or to determine whether a particular packet is delay-sensitive. If it is determined that a particular packet is delay-sensitive, the packet is immediately and fully processed. If, however, it is determined that the packet is not delay-sensitive, full processing of the packet is deferred and the packet is stored in an intermediate data structure. During Phase II, packets stored within the intermediate data structure are retrieved and fully processes. The technique of the present invention significantly reduces packet processing latency, particularly with respect to high priority or delay-sensitive packets.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention provides a solution to the problem of routing or redirecting a given client to a replica or proxy server which has a relatively shortest propagation delay to the client. According to the technique of the present invention, a network device referred to as an intercept server sits in front of a host server, and intercepts packets routed to the host server. When desired, packets which are intercepted by the intercept server are replicated, encapsulated and tunneled to selected client servers in the overlay network. The tunneled packets are received and processed by each of the selected client servers, whereupon each of the selected client servers generates a respective spoofed response to the source device identified in the header of the originally intercepted packet. Further, according to the technique of the present invention, each of the selected client servers transmits its respective spoofed response to the identified source device at substantially the same time.

Abstract: A repeater, useable for connecting switches in a data communication network, is provided in a distributed and/or modular fashion. The repeater includes a plurality of separate and distinct components or modules connected to or at least partially housed in, the various switches which the repeater modules couple. Preferably, the repeater autodetects and/or autoconfigures some or all aspects of repeater operations, such as detecting and/or configuring in response to appropriate or approved cable-type connections. A conductive, sealing member on a cable connector substantially reduces or eliminates EMI.

Abstract: Software modules referred to as “plug-ins” associate with megafunctions written in any Hardware Description Language to provide rich parameterization. To the user, the plug-ins present a “wizard” interface allowing selection or setting of any number of important parameters for a particular megafunction. To the design compiler, parameterized megafunctions instantiated via a plug-in appear non-parameterized functions of a type that may be easily handled (by, for example, VHDL and Verilog compilers). Plug-ins “plug into” a compiler or an application associated with the compiler, sometimes referred to as a “plug-in manager.” The plug-in manager creates compilable files from user-defined parameter settings passed by the plug-ins.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for content-based filtering of multicast information. A set of sources (S) which desire to distribute potentially large numbers of categories of differing information each associates a content descriptor (CD) with messages including information in those categories, so that a set of recipients (R) can receive information in at least some of those categories. A mapping server (M) associates a multicast address (MA) and a content mask (CM) with each content descriptor, so that network elements (N), such as routers, in the network can distribute only those messages which are of interest to recipients in multicast distribution trees for those multicast addresses. Each source generates content descriptors for each differentiable topic in a tree structured hierarchy, and obtains a multicast address and a content mask for the broadest content descriptor it is capable of distributing.

Abstract: Transitions among different upstream frequency channels in a cable television plant in order to transmit data occur while considering the noise level of the upstream frequency channel presently being used to transmit data. By taking into account the noise level of the presently used upstream frequency channel, the CMTS in a cable plant can make a more intelligent decision as to whether it is worthwhile changing the upstream frequency channel for a group of cable modems. A spectrum analyzer determines the noise level of a presently used frequency channel. A bit error rate for the present frequency channel is detected. The spectrum analyzer then determines whether the bit error rate exceeds a threshold value. Is so, it is then determined whether the noise level of the present frequency channel is greater than or less than the noise level of another frequency channel having the lowest noise level plus a buffer noise value.

Abstract: A guide device receives and engages a cutout in a distal pin-bearing edge of a printed circuit board for aligning pins with pin sockets. The alignment device includes a web, sized and shaped to be received in a circuit board cutout and a shelf surface for engaging a part of a major surface of the circuit board, to provide for biaxial guidance during board insertion. By positioning guide devices and circuit board cutouts in different locations, for different circuit boards, insertion of circuit boards in an incorrect slot or location is avoided.

Abstract: A disclosed method and mechanism provides for the use of hardware to perform the computations necessary for fitting an electronic design onto a substrate. This hardware design tool may be used in conjunction with a conventional software design tool which is reserved for performing other electronic design functions such as synthesis. In a disclosed example, the hardware tool performs the steps necessary to partition logic cells into logic blocks for use in a hierarchical electronic design. In this example, the hardware tool is provided as a product term device which temporarily stores information defining a given partitioning problem and then calculates the quality of the partition for every possible partition employing the constraints of the stored partitioning problem.