Abstract: A method of sharing data between a sender application and a receiver application. The sender application and the receiver application execute on a computer system. The method comprises the following steps. The receiver application generates a receiver interface. The receiver application registers receiver data tokens in a registry. The data tokens correspond to the data. The sender application generates a sender interface. The sender application generates sender data tokens corresponding to the sender interface. A first token, of the sender data tokens, corresponds to one of the receiver data tokens. The sender interface receives the data and determines that the first token is registered by the receiver interface. The sender interface transmits the data to the receiver application.

Abstract: It is desirable to be able to automatically map the topology of a computer network. To automatically map the topology of a computer network, a new method is proposed. First, all the network management modules (NMMs) in the network start off broadcasting multicast packets informing other units of their presence. When a network management module detects that only a single unit is connected to a particular slot-port combination, then that network management module designates the single unit as being a downstream unit in a network topology table. After updating its network topology table, the network management module sends a quench packet to the single unit to silence the downstream unit. These steps are repeated for all occurrences of a single unit connected to a particular slot-port combination in that network. After this occurs, the very bottom layer of the network has been detected and it's topology has been mapped.

Abstract: A networking system and automatic method in a networking system comprising at least one switching device and a plurality of at least one end-station interconnected with the at least one switching device, wherein the at least one switching device and at least one end-station are interconnected in a topology. A configuration device is included which has a configuration modification detection circuit for detecting the modification of the topology. A configuration policy maintenance circuit is provided for storing policies related to reconfiguring the at least one switching device upon the modification of the topology. A policy evaluation circuit is provided for determining which at least one end-station and ports should be grouped together upon the detection of the modification of the topology in a first manner. A reconfiguration circuit is provided for reconfiguring the at least one switching device in the first network to enable at least one end-station and ports to be grouped together in the first manner.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a plurality of output files based on a Management Information Base (MIB) specification is provided. The system includes one or more MIB compilers designed to produce outputs based on a MIB specification. Each of the MIB compilers reads a set of directives that are maintained separate from the MIB specification. The set of directives indicate which of the modules and items defined in the MIB specification are to be processed during a given MIB compilation operation. The set of directives may also specify MIB additional attributes and values for items that are defined in the MIB specification. The set of directives may also specify that, for the purposes of the MIB compilation operation, a MIB item is to be treated as though it had a different attribute than an attribute specified for the MIB item in the MIB specification.

Abstract: A method and approach for providing improved performance in a CSMA/CD-type network utilizing transmission of block encoded congestion sense signaling to allow full duplex transmission of data over a communication link segment. In addition, the method and apparatus for providing in-band signaling of congestion conditions is described. The improved method and apparatus are implemented with minimal changes to existing standards and allow for compatibility, above the MAC sublayer, with existing installed hardware and software bases.

Abstract: A multi-segment agent topology mechanism for use by multi-segment network devices in an Ethernet network. Topology information packets exchanged between topology agents in a network include segment identifier information as well as IP address of the sending agent. A device's topology agent maintains and updates topology information in topology tables which identifies interconnected network devices, such as concentrators and bridges, by IP address and segment identifier information as well as incoming slot and port information for eventual use by a network management system in evaluating a networks topology map, and in automatically determining changes in the network's topology.

Abstract: An internetworking system for exchanging packets of information between networks, the system comprising a network interface module for connecting a network to the system, receiving packets from the network in a native packet format used by the network and converting each received native packet to a packet having a generic format common to all networks connected to the system, and converting each of the generic packets to the native packet format for transmission to the network; a communication channel for carrying the generic packets to and from the network interface module, the channel having bandwidth; a first processing module for controlling dynamic allocation and deallocation of the channel bandwidth to the network connected to the system via the network interface module; and a second processing module for receiving all of the generic packets put on the channel by the network interface module, determining a destination network interface module for each of the generic packets on the channel, determining w