Abstract: Automatic load-balancing provides a decision-making process that includes intelligent automatic detection of when a given load-balancing activation currently would not be beneficial, thereby keeping the user's network from being unnecessarily disturbed when no real benefit would be gained; a process to undo a prior load-balancing that can be activated when users have accidentally selected a feature which could substantially change their network configurations; and an extensive intelligent port-distribution algorithm that improves the network load by moving the right ports to new segments.

Abstract: A component with embedded memory is manufactured. The component includes a plurality of memory buffers and a processor. During self-test of the component, the processor performs testing of the plurality of memory buffers in order to detect bad memory locations. The processor places into a free buffer list pointers to memory buffers from the plurality of memory buffers for which no bad memory locations have been detected.

Abstract: Automatic device segmentation and port-to-segment distribution is provided in an electronic network. During a power-on sequence, the hardware and software of a network device determines if there is sufficient reason to segment a hub. Once a determination is made that there is a need for segmentation, the hub's ports are automatically divided into different segments in accordance with a predetermined port assignment scheme, such as by a predetermined port assignment (port 1 segment 1, port 2 segment 2, . . .

Abstract: An intelligent network agent software application for multi-segment network devices (such as bridges or multi-segment repeaters) which have one or more network links automatically configures the network links. Several automatic configuration and loop-recovery features are encompassed, each of which applies toward intelligently making decisions on the user's behalf, without special knowledge or intervention on the part of the user. Such configuration includes: assigning bridged links to different segments (to maximize the connectivity offered by the bridging and to prevent looping); setting up bridged links on a bridge to form full connectivity across the network with another bridge; setting up redundant connections; disabling ports which are causing loops in the network, or other configuration actions. The agent is preferably fully embedded in the hardware device.

Abstract: An automatic loop-elimination system embodied in a network hub minimizes the impact of port deactivation by deactivating only one port at a time. To reduce the likelihood of concurrent examination of ports (of different hubs) coupled to other hubs, the port at which examination begins is randomized at network startup. To reduce the likelihood of concurrently examined ports (of different hubs) being deactivated at the same time, a brief re-poll of port utilization is run just before deactivation; if the first deactivation eliminates the loop, the second port is not deactivated. For each hub, the method cycles through the ports three times, progressively including more heavily cascaded ports. This progressive relaxation of a cascade constraint preferentially deactivates ports coupled to end-node devices before ports coupled to other hubs. Thus, the invention provides for fast and convenient automatic loop elimination without requiring external hardware or software.

Abstract: An "intelligent network agent" software application for network devices (such as bridges or repeaters) which have one or more network links automatically detects when two or more of the agent's network links are bridged or repeated across. This information can be used elsewhere to automatically configure the network links or for other intelligent applications. Such configuration could include: assigning bridged links to different segments (to maximize the connectivity offered by the bridging and to prevent looping); setting up bridged links on a bridge to form a Spanning Tree with another bridge; setting up redundant connections; disabling ports which are causing loops in the network, or other configuration actions.

Abstract: Uninterrupted network operation is maintained when stations are moved, for example when a station is initially connected to a bridge port via a repeater, and the station is later moved to another repeater, such that the bridge filtering database is typically out of date until the station transmits packets. To remedy this, an intelligent agent causes a packet to be sent on behalf of the station via the new network segment, and causes the bridge to learn the new port for the station, and to update its filtering database. The intelligent agent sends this packet immediately after the station has been moved from one network segment to another, thereby minimizing the possibility that traffic directed to the station is lost.

Abstract: Within a network, which includes hubs and bridges, the relative location of a first device with respect to a subset of hubs on the network is determined. In response to an instruction, the first device broadcasts a multicast packet. The multicast packet crosses bridges and is processed only by hubs. When a hub receives the multicast packet from the first device, the hub records a first port of the hub over which the second device received the multicast packet. The subset of hubs may then be interrogated to determine over which port of each of the subset of hubs the multicast packet was received.

Abstract: A multiple port network device, connected to a network, detects and records over which port of the multiple port network device other network devices communicate with the multiple port network device. A table is maintained in a memory. The table has entries which identify by which port of the multiple port network device other network devices communicate with the multiple port network device. The table is updated by monitoring packets received by the multiple port network device. When a packet is received by the multiple port network device, a port number over which port the multiple port network device received the packet is determined. Also, a source address of a network device from which the packet originated is determined. When the source address is not listed in the table, the table is updated with an entry for the source address which includes the port number.

Abstract: A multiple port network device, connected to a network, detects and records over which port of the multiple port network device other network devices communicate with the multiple port network device. A table is maintained in a memory. The table has entries which identify by which port of the multiple port network device other network devices communicate with the multiple port network device. The table is updated by monitoring packets received by the multiple port network device. When a packet is received by the multiple port network device, a port number over which port the multiple port network device received the packet is determined. Also, a source address of a network device from which the packet originated is determined. When the source address is not listed in the table, the table is updated with an entry for the source address which includes the port number.

Abstract: The relative location of a first device is detected with respect to a second device on a network. The second device is instructed to listen for messages from the first device. When the second device receives a first message from the first device, the second device records a first port of the second device over which the second device received the first message. Optionally, the second device also records an indication that the second device received a message from the first device over a single port. When the second device receives an additional message from the first device over a port of the second device other than the first port of the second device, the recording of the first port is invalidated. This is done, for example by changing the indication that the second device received the message from the first device over a single port, to an indication that the second device received messages from the first device over multiple ports.