Abstract: The nodes of a repeater interface controller which repeats data packets received from one segment of a local area network onto the remaining segments of the local area network include loopback circuitry that allow the data packets received from the one segment to be repeated back onto the one segment in addition to the remaining segments of the local area network, thereby allowing the integrity of the one segment to be verified.

Abstract: A repeater interface controller receives a data packet at one of a plurality of port nodes from an associated segment of a local area network. The port nodes determine a priority port node, if more than one port node receives a data packet at substantially the same time, and transmit the data packet from the priority port node to a central node. The central node receives the data packet, repeats the data packet from the priority node, and transmits the repeated data packet to the non-priority port nodes. Each non-priority port node receives the repeated data packet and transmits the repeated data onto its associated segment. Each port node further includes a partitioning port state machine which monitors its associated segment and partitions the segment from the repeater interface controller when the partitioning port state machine detects a collision in a predetermined number of consecutive data packets.