Abstract: A Gigabit network node having a media access controller outputting packet data at Gigabit rates uses multiple 100 MB/s physical layer links coupled to a physical interface having a data router to enable implementation of a Gigabit network using low cost data links. A modified reconciliation layer, also referred to as a multi-Media Independent Interface (m-MII) selectively transmits at least a portion of the packet data from the MAC onto the plurality of physical layer links. The physical m-MII interface may output separate packet data on separate physical layer links to increase the effective data transmission rate, may output the same packet data on multiple transmission paths to improve quality of service by establishing redundant data links, or any combination thereof. Priority channels may also be provided on selected physical layer links to provide quality of service and cost of service options within an Ethernet work group environment.

Abstract: A Gigabit network node having a media access controller outputting packet data at Gigabit rates uses multiple 100 MB/s media interface links coupled to a physical interface to enable implementation of a Gigabit network using low cost data links. A modified reconciliation layer, also referred to as a media interface, receives a data packet from a Gigabit MAC and divides the received data packet into multiple data segments having a prescribed length. The multiple segments are output on the multiple media interface links according to a prescribed output protocol, enabling a corresponding media interface at the destination station to recompile the data packet from the received segments from the multiple transmission paths. The transmission of the segments upon multiple transmission paths provides an efficient load balancing of data traffic among the multiple transmission paths.

Abstract: Collision delay intervals are modified in a network node in order to overcome a detected capture effect in a half-duplex network. A network interface having a media access control (MAC) selectively modifies the collision delay interval based on detected capture effect. In one implementation, a node that has been locked out resets its attempt counter to become more aggressive in contending for the media. In applications requiring a guaranteed access, the attempt counter is reset and the collision delay interval is forced to zero slot times to attempt immediate access of the media following a collision. If the network includes multiple applications requiring guaranteed access, a node having encountered collisions switches from normal operation under the truncated binary exponential backoff (TBEB) algorithm to a shifted TBEB operation. If the node has captured the media, the node increases its attempt counter by a prescribed value to provide a less aggressive contention during collision mediation.

Abstract: A buffered distributor (i.e., a full-duplex repeater) having receive buffers for respective network ports calculates pause frames based on the size of stored data packets that need to be output by the repeater core according to a round robin sequence before congestion in an identified receive buffer is eliminated. The distribution core within the buffered distributor includes a linked list register that stores the determined links of received data packets for each network port. Upon detecting a congestion condition in one of the receive buffers for a corresponding port, the buffered distributor determines the relative position of the congested port within the round robin sequence, and calculates the pause interval based on the length of the data packets that need to be output before congestion is eliminated. The sum of the data packet lengths are compared to an output data rate of the distribution core, as well as switching delays within the core.

Abstract: An arrangement for avoiding the capture effect in a half-duplex shared network modifies an interpacket gap timer following collision mediation to ensure a station having transmitted a consecutive number of packets defers to another network station, regardless of the outcome of the collision mediation. If a network having transmitted consecutive packets encounters a collision, the network station selectively modifies the interpacket gap interval based on the selected number of slot times during collision mediation. If the networks station selects zero slot times according to the truncated binary exponential backoff (TBEB) algorithm, the network station increases the interpacket gap by two slot times. If the network station selects one slot time during TBEB collision mediation, the interpacket gap is increased from the minimum IPG by one slot time.

Abstract: A multi-level rotating priority scheme for access to the medium of a network by network stations is controlled in a decentralized manner. Each network station maintains its own record of the time interval it must wait following the medium becoming available before it will attempt transmission of data. The network stations modify their time intervals based on information they receive about collisions of data that occur on the network. The time intervals in the individual network stations are eventually modified during operation so that each has different time intervals, and effectively, different priority for accessing the medium. Following a transmission by a network station, the time intervals change in the network stations and the priority rotates.