Abstract: A repeater, which forwards data packets from a first Ethernet collision domain to a second Ethernet collision domain while filtering packets so as to eliminate unnecessary packets from being transmitted onto Ethernet networks, has a register for each port, where the register holds the address of a workstation from which the port last received a data packet. When a data packet addressed to that port is received by another port, the repeater asserts a signal line informing the other ports that the dat apacket may be ignored by them, and the addressed port receives the data packet for transmission onto the Ethernet collision domain connected thereto.

Abstract: A computer may have a management bus installed, where the management bus is coupled to sensors which monitor status of components of the computer. The management bus may also be coupled to a management bus processor, where the management bus processor receives status information from the management bus concerning status of components of the computer. An interface between the management bus and the network subsystem permits transmission of an error message in the event that the computer has a failure which inactivates the system CPU, the system bus, the system memory, or the system power supply.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a computer has a network interface subsystem having power applied thereto when power is removed from other components of the computer. A receiver in the network interface subsystem receives a packet directed to the computer from the network, and in response to receipt of a selected packet, restores power to the other components of the computer. Upon restoration of power to the other components of the computer, a signalling device reports status of at least one of the other components of the computer to the network interface subsystem. A transmitter in the network interface subsystem sends, in response to the signalling device, a status packet onto the network giving a status of the computer in the event that a component is not functional, following restoration of power to the other components of the computer.

Abstract: A repeater device for forwarding a data packet from a first Ethernet collision domain to a second Ethernet collision domain has a plurality of ports, each port for connection to an independent Ethernet collision domain, each port has an associated receive buffer and an associated transmit buffer, and there is a means for forwarding a data packet from the receive buffer of a receiving port to the transmit buffer of a transmitting port. A data packet received at the receiving port is then first stored in that port's the receive buffer, is forwarded to the transmit buffer of the transmitting port, and is then transmitted from the transmit buffer by the transmitting port.

Abstract: A repeater which introduces a minimum of delay in the transfer of a data packet from a source LAN to a destination LAN has an arbiter which grants access to a bus for a port to broadcast a received data packet onto the bus for loading the data packet into a transmit buffer for each outgoing port. The arbiter grants access only after all ports signal that their transmit buffers are ready to load the data packet from the bus. A transmit buffer signals that it is ready to be loaded at the passage of the collision window as it is transmitting a packet previously loaded into the transmit buffer. Accordingly, the transmit buffer is simultaneously transmitting the previously loaded packet and loading the new packet after the arbiter responds to the signal.