Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for controlling a physical layer interface of a network interface card. The apparatus comprises: 1) a read only memory (ROM) for storing an embedded control program; 2) a random access memory for storing a downloadable software control program; and 3) a microcontroller for controlling the physical layer interface, wherein the microcontroller in a first operating mode executes the embedded control program to thereby control the physical layer interface, and wherein the microcontroller in a second operating mode downloads the downloadable software control program from an external processing system and executes the software control program in place of the embedded control program to thereby control the physical layer interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a replacement program into dedicated memories in a plurality of network interface cards includes: 1) a replacement program memory for storing the replacement program; 2) a first microcontroller coupled to the replacement program memory and having a first dedicated memory associated therewith; and 3) a second microcontroller coupled to the replacement program memory and having a second dedicated memory associated therewith. The first microcontroller monitors a first signal line to the replacement program memory to determine if the second microcontroller is transferring the replacement program from the replacement program memory to the second dedicated memory. The first microcontroller, in response to a determination that the second microcontroller is transferring the replacement program, transfers at least a portion of the replacement program to the first dedicated memory as the replacement program is read from the replacement program memory by the second microcontroller.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for controlling a physical layer interface of a network interface card in real time. The apparatus comprises: 1) a first memory for storing a multitasking control program, the multitasking control program comprising a main routine and a plurality of subroutines callable by the main routine; 2) a second memory for storing a plurality of multitasking vectors associated with the multitasking control program; and 3) a microcontroller for executing the multitasking control program, wherein program execution control is transferred from the main routine to a first one of the plurality of subroutines when the first subroutine is called by the main routine and wherein the first subroutine, upon encountering a decision point in the first subroutine that is not yet capable of being decided, updates a first one of the plurality of multitasking vectors associated with the first subroutine with an address of the decision point and transfers program execution control back to the main routine.

Abstract: A network interface that consumes no power when it is not connected to an external network. The network interface comprises: i) a data transceiver for transmitting data to and receiving data from an external network coupled to the network interface; ii) a connection jack into which a cable connection plug may be inserted, wherein the connection jack couples a data line from the data transceiver to a corresponding data line in the cable connection plug; and iii) a switch associated with the connection jack for connecting an externally received power supply voltage to the data transceiver. The switch is in an open position when the cable connection plug is not inserted into the connection jack. Insertion of the cable connection plug into the connection jack closes the switch to thereby supply power to the data transceiver.

Abstract: There is disclosed, for use in a communication device comprising a plurality of network interface cards for communicating with an external data network, an apparatus for simultaneously transferring a replacement program into a plurality of dedicated memories in the plurality of network interface cards. The apparatus comprises: 1) a replacement program memory for storing the replacement program; 2) a first microcontroller coupled to the replacement program memory and having a first dedicated memory associated therewith; and 3) a second microcontroller coupled to the replacement program memory and having a second dedicated memory associated therewith.