Abstract: The present invention provides an improved shared memory switching method in which a guaranteed minimum number of buffers per output port is reserved for each input port. The shared memory may also be optionally divided into reserved and unreserved buffers, with the guaranteed minimum number of buffers being provided from the reserved buffers. The unreserved buffers are available to any port and will handle burst communications and other events that cause a given input port's allocation of reserved buffers to be exhausted. So that bursts are also handled fairly among input ports, additional optional features of the present invention include limiting the number of unreserved buffers that may be consumed by a single input port. For fairness among output ports, method also preferably fairly allocates unreserved buffers among the output ports.

Abstract: A dual channel 100Base-T link for use between devices in a computer network system. The IEEE 802.3 standard for bus network systems calls for a device interconnection cable which includes four twisted pairs of wire. For 10BaseT and 100Base-T systems, the 802.3 standard specifies the use of only two of the four pairs. The present link includes a special Media Access Controller having dual channel interconnections, and primary and secondary Media Independent Interfaces and Physical Layers. This provides first and second communication channels which are parallel, but cooperating. The second channel is connected to the normally unused two pairs in the cable, effectively doubling the bandwidth of the link without running a new cable.

Abstract: A configuration apparatus for network devices. A plurality of LEDS on the front panel of a network device has a primary mode, displaying device and port status. These LEDS are grouped in a matrix, consisting of pairs of LEDS arranged in a plurality of parallel columns. Textual information may be provided adjacent each of the pairs, to describe an associated secondary mode, for configuration of the features and operational states of the device. When a configuration switch and mode control circuitry are enabled, drivers for the LEDS are disconnected from the ports. A configuration cycle is initiated, during which at least some of the LEDS provide visual cues to the user for carrying out the configuration operations. Sequential and unison blinking of the LEDS, as a group, individually, and in pairs, confirms reconfiguration opportunity, selection, and execution, for each secondary function.