Abstract: A rogue access point in a wireless local-area network can be disabled by an authorized access point wirelessly transmitting a layer-2 broadcast packet. If a rogue access point receives this broadcast packet, it will forward a copy to the switch to which it is connected. The switch then shuts down the port on which it received the forwarded copy of the broadcast packet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of communicating data signals on a bus having an upstream portion to which transmitters of a plurality of station are connected, and a downstream portion to which receivers of the stations are connected, and to which an end station is connected having a transmitter connected more upstream than any of the plurality of stations. Signals to be transmitted from each of the plurality of stations are appended to the end of the data stream passing thereby. A bus clear signal is transmitted from the end station, along the bus. When any signal including the bus clear signal is detected from upstream at any of the plurality of stations that might be transmitting, transmission of signals from the plurality of stations is immediately terminated. Transmission of the bus clear signal from upstream thus clears the bus to allow for transmission of different priority signals on the bus.

Abstract: A bus system for exchanging information between a plurality of circuits connected to the system. The bus system includes a polling bus, a message bus, and a bus controller. The bus controller polls each circuit to see if the circuits require access to the message bus. Information between the circuits is conveyed by first transmitting the information to the bus controller where it is temporarily stored. That information is then sent to the destination circuit by the bus controller. Information is thus conveyed over the message bus twice for every exchange of informaton between two circuits.

Abstract: Fault checking of slave devices. All the slave devices are polled periodically by a master control circuit and their reponse is noted. The master control circuit asserts a control signal for every other poll so as to cause the slave device to invert the bits in its response signal when the control signal is asserted. The non-inversion of the bits during the period of several polls is indicative of either a fault condition or a device not present condition.