Abstract: A method, system and apparatus time-stamp a data frame. The data frame includes a type field and data for transmission to a communication network. The data frame is received and a reception time for the data frame is determined. The value of the type field is determined. If the value of the type field indicates the data frame is a time-stamped frame, a timestamp field is inserted in the data frame. The timestamp field indicates the reception time.

Abstract: A low cost mechanism that may be used to extend Ethernet capability to low end devices provides sufficient capacity to support Ethernet communications using only a single twisted pair medium. Because only a single twisted pair is used, the overall cost, complexity and size associated with the integrating Ethernet functionality into an end device is reduced. A distributed power system delivers power to a Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) device over the single twisted pair medium. With such an arrangement, Ethernet capability and power may be simultaneously delivered to low end devices at a reduced cost.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus time-stamp a data frame. The data frame includes a type field and data for transmission to a communication network. The data frame is received and a reception time for the data frame is determined. The value of the type field is determined. If the value of the type field indicates the data frame is a time-stamped frame, a timestamp field is inserted in the data frame. The timestamp field indicates the reception time.

Abstract: A protective cap and method therefor for preventing the build-up of electrostatic charges on network communications cables and also for protecting the cable ends and connectors from physical abuse. The protective cap comprises a socket housing for receiving a connector of a network communications cable that has a plurality of wire mediums, and a shorting electrical conductor to electrically connect together the wire mediums when the connector is received in the socket housing. The build-up of electrostatic charges on the cable wire mediums is prevented by the shorting electrical conductor electrically connecting the wire mediums together. The network communications cable is protected from physical abuse by the socket housing at least partially enclosing the cable connector. A network equipment connector is also disclosed that causes the discharge of electrostatic charges on a network cable as the cable is being mated with the equipment connector.

Abstract: A telecommunications outlet with a visual indicator that informs a user that the outlet is capable of supplying power to a network device in a network system compliant with IEEE 802.3. The outlet includes a visual indicator which activates when the outlet receives a load verification signal in accordance with IEEE 802.3. A network core device transmits the load verification signal to the outlet to determine whether there is a qualified network device connected to the outlet, and the type of the connected network device for the purpose of transmitting the appropriate power level to the network device. If the load verification signal is not present at the outlet, the outlet is not capable of supplying power to a network device. The outlet includes a visual indicator and a visual indicator driver circuit. The driver circuit generates a driving signal in response to the load verification signal.

Abstract: A system is provided for establishing a master-slave relationship at the physical layer between a first device and a second device in a peer-to-peer network. The system generates a first information which is associated with the first device. A second information is generated and associated with the second device. The first information is compared with the second information to generate a comparison result. Based on the comparison result, one device is designated as a master and the other device is designated as a slave.

Abstract: In a network device such as a network switch having a port coupled to a communications medium dedicated to a single virtual local area network and another port coupled to a communications medium shared among multiple virtual local area networks for transmitting data frames between the dedicated communications medium and the shared communications medium, a method of identifying the virtual network associated with each data frame received by the network switch when transmitting the data frames over the shared communications medium. The method comprises receiving data frames from the dedicated communications medium coupled to one port, and, with respect to each data frame so received, inserting a new type field and a virtual network identifier field. The contents of the new type field indicate the data frame comprises a virtual network identifier field.

Abstract: In a network device such as a network switch having a port coupled to a communications medium dedicated to a single virtual local area network and another port coupled to a communications medium shared among multiple virtual local area networks for transmitting data frames between the dedicated communications medium and the shared communications medium, a method of identifying the virtual network associated with each data frame received by the network switch when transmitting the data frames over the shared communications medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a node to automatically switch between half-duplex and full-duplex transmission in CSMA/CD networks characterized by a first and second device coupled over a communication link to allow communication of information and control signals between the first and second device. Each of the two devices include a transmit circuit and a receive circuit, wherein the first device begins to transmit information on a first communication circuit, the first communication circuit providing for communication of information between the first device and the second device, and the second device receives the transmitted information.

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 logic section is provided on each port of an active repeater unit in a CSMA/CD network for comparing the destination address of a data packet retransmitted by the active repeater unit with the address of the data station attached to that port to determine whether a match occurs between these two addresses. Each port's transmitter receives the retransmitted data packet and a clock signal while the logic section is determining whether an address match occurs. The transmitter transmits the data packet to its corresponding data station until the logic section makes its determination. If a match occurs between the destination address of the retransmitted data packet and the address of the data station attached to that port, the logic section controls the transmitter so that the transmitter continues to transmit the data packet to its data station. If no match occurs, the logic section controls the transmitter so that the transmitter switches from transmitting the data packet to transmitting the clock signal.

Abstract: In a network device such as a network switch having a port coupled to a communications medium dedicated to a single virtual local area network and another port coupled to a communications medium shared among multiple virtual local area networks for transmitting data frames between the dedicated communications medium and the shared communications medium, a method of identifying the virtual network associated with each data frame received by the network switch when transmitting the data frames over the shared communications medium. The method comprises receiving data frames from the dedicated communications medium coupled to one port, and, with respect to each data frame so received, inserting a new type field and a virtual network identifier field. The contents of the new type field indicate the data frame comprises a virtual network identifier field.

Abstract: In a network device such as a network switch having a port coupled to a communications medium dedicated to a single virtual local area network and another port coupled to a communications medium shared among multiple virtual local area networks for transmitting data frames between the dedicated communications medium and the shared communications medium, a method of identifying the virtual network associated with each data frame received by the network switch when transmitting the data frames over the shared communications medium. The method comprises receiving data frames from the dedicated communications medium coupled to one port, and, with respect to each data frame so received, inserting a new type field and a virtual network identifier field. The contents of the new type field indicate the data frame comprises a virtual network identifier field.

Abstract: In a network device such as a network switch having a port coupled to a communications medium dedicated to a single virtual local area network and another port coupled to a communications medium shared among multiple virtual local area networks for transmitting data frames between the dedicated communications medium and the shared communications medium, a method of identifying the virtual network associated with each data frame received by the network switch when transmitting the data frames over the shared communications medium. The method comprises receiving data frames from the dedicated communications medium coupled to one port, and, with respect to each data frame so received, inserting a new type field and a virtual network identifier field. The contents of the new type field indicate the data frame comprises a virtual network identifier field.

Abstract: In a network device such as a network switch having a port coupled to a communications medium dedicated to a single virtual local area network and another port coupled to a communications medium shared among multiple virtual local area networks for transmitting data frames between the dedicated communications medium and the shared communications medium, a method of identifying the virtual network associated with each data frame received by the network switch when transmitting the data frames over the shared communications medium. The method comprises receiving data frames from the dedicated communications medium coupled to one port, and, with respect to each data frame so received, inserting a new type field and a virtual network identifier field. The contents of the new type field indicate the data frame comprises a virtual network identifier field.

Abstract: In a network device such as a network switch having a port coupled to a communications medium dedicated to a single virtual local area network and another port coupled to a communications medium shared among multiple virtual local area networks for transmitting data frames between the dedicated communications medium and the shared communications medium, a method of identifying the virtual network associated with each data frame received by the network switch when transmitting the data frames over the shared communications medium. The method comprises receiving data frames from the dedicated communications medium coupled to one port, and, with respect to each data frame so received, inserting a new type field and a virtual network identifier field. The contents of the new type field indicate the data frame comprises a virtual network identifier field.

Abstract: In a network device such as a network switch having a port coupled to a communications medium dedicated to a single virtual local area network and another port coupled to a communications medium shared among multiple virtual local area networks for transmitting data frames between the dedicated communications medium and the shared communications medium, a method of identifying the virtual network associated with each data frame received by the network switch when transmitting the data frames over the shared communications medium. The method comprises receiving data frames from the dedicated communications medium coupled to one port, and, with respect to each data frame so received, inserting a new type field and a virtual network identifier field. The contents of the new type field indicate the data frame comprises a virtual network identifier field.

Abstract: In a network device such as a network switch having a port coupled to a communications medium dedicated to a single virtual local area network and another port coupled to a communications medium shared among multiple virtual local area networks for transmitting data frames between the dedicated communications medium and the shared communications medium, a method of identifying the virtual network associated with each data frame received by the network switch when transmitting the data frames over the shared communications medium. The method comprises receiving data frames from the dedicated communications medium coupled to one port, and, with respect to each data frame so received, inserting a new type field and a virtual network identifier field. The contents of the new type field indicate the data frame comprises a virtual network identifier field.

Abstract: In a network device such as a network switch having a port coupled to a communications medium dedicated to a single virtual local area network and another port coupled to a communications medium shared among multiple virtual local area networks for transmitting data frames between the dedicated communications medium and the shared communications medium, a method of identifying the virtual network associated with each data frame received by the network switch when transmitting the data frames over the shared communications medium. The method comprises receiving data frames from the dedicated communications medium coupled to one port, and, with respect to each data frame so received, inserting a new type field and a virtual network identifier field. The contents of the new type field indicate the data frame comprises a virtual network identifier field.

Abstract: In a network device such as a network switch having a port coupled to a communications medium dedicated to a single virtual local area network and another port coupled to a communications medium shared among multiple virtual local area networks for transmitting data frames between the dedicated communications medium and the shared communications medium, a method of identifying the virtual network associated with each data frame received by the network switch when transmitting the data frames over the shared communications medium. The method comprises receiving data frames from the dedicated communications medium coupled to one port, and, with respect to each data frame so received, inserting a new type field and a virtual network identifier field. The contents of the new type field indicate the data frame comprises a virtual network identifier field.