Abstract: Method for improved configuration of a link between an end station and an intermediate device in a network. The intermediate device communicates through the link using a point-to-point protocol, and a lower layer protocol and is capable of translating between the lower layer protocol used by the link and a lower layer protocol used by a portion of the network. The intermediate device detects the lower layer protocol used by the end station and configures the link to use the point-to-point protocol, the lower layer protocol used by the end station, and an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) protocol. A method including signaling the end station to use on the link a lower layer protocol having a particular relationship with the lower layer protocol used by the portion of the network.

Abstract: An improved computer network and network device uses characteristics of prior art shared network protocols to control the flow of data and access to the network among a group of transmitting nodes. The invention determines which nodes wish to send data when a collision occurs by detecting and recording which nodes participated in a collision. A scheduling routine is designed to give each connected node a chance to send. A transmission control mechanism is used to prevent a subset of transmitters from transmitting while allowing one ES to transmit without experiencing a collision. The invention has a number of applications including within an improved ethernet repeater in a multimedia ethernet.