Abstract: A network repeater having a plurality of repeater ports selectively establishes links with remote nodes at one of two data rates based on the capabilities of the remote network node and a determined link integrity. A network repeater establishes a link with a network node using auto-negotiation techniques to establish a 100 Mb/s link. The network repeater then monitors the link for symbol errors, and determines an integrity of the link based on a detected number of symbol errors relative to a prescribed threshold. If the detected number of symbol errors reaches the prescribed threshold, indicating poor link integrity due to poor cable connection or condition, faulty network device, etc., the network repeater performs a down shifting operation by breaking the established 100 Mb/s link, and restarting auto-negotiation to establish a 10 Mb/s link.

Abstract: A novel method of data packet switching in a data packet switching system having multiple switching devices. The method includes comparing destination address information of a received data packet with current address information maintained in an address table of one of the switching devices, and supplying a match signal to other switching devices when the destination address information matches the current address information. As a result, all other switching devices in the system are informed that the host with the destination address that caused the match signal is not connected to one of their own media ports. The match signal sent to other switching devices in the system is unambiguously associated with the destination address that caused the match. Also, the match signal may uniquely identify the switching device that generates this signal.

Abstract: A proxy device such as a microcontroller, coupled to the SMBus, is configured for obtaining, according to the SMBus Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) and from an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) master, an SMBus slave address for an SMBus device. The proxy device also is configured for outputting the obtained SMBus slave address for storage by the SMBus device independent of the ARP protocol. Hence, the proxy agent enables SMBus slave addresses to be assigned in SMBus devices that lack the ability to receive an assigned SMBus address according to the SMBus ARP.

Abstract: A novel method of operating repeaters or other hub devices in a local area network, such as one conforming to Ethernet protocol, in which there are a plurality of repeater interfaces of respectively different data rates for communicating with a link partner on a network medium. The methodology comprises determining the data rate of operation of the link partner, and based on that data rate, automatically steering data between the network medium and a selected one of the repeaters. In a preferred embodiment, a network transceiver comprises one or more physical layer devices (PHY), and a plurality of shared data busses corresponding, respectively, to the speeds of operation of the repeaters, for interconnecting the repeaters and one or more of the physical layer devices.

Abstract: A novel method of operating repeaters or other hub devices in a local area network, such as one conforming to Ethernet protocol, in which there are a plurality of repeater interfaces of respectively different data rates for communicating with a link partner on a network medium. The methodology comprises determining the data rate of operation of the link partner, and based on that data rate, automatically steering data between the network medium and a selected one of the repeaters. In a preferred embodiment, a network transceiver comprises one or more physical layer devices (PHY), and a plurality of shared data busses corresponding, respectively, to the speeds of operation of the repeaters, for interconnecting the repeaters and one or more of the physical layer devices.

Abstract: A serial display drive for an electronic system including control circuitry that manipulates a serial clock signal that synchronizes each of a plurality of status bits in a serial data stream. The serial display drive circuitry includes a set of indicating elements for displaying the status information and means for switching the indicating elements. The control circuitry periodically stops the serial clock signal to provide a status update interval for each of the indicating elements and to obviate the need for a register element and strobe signal to hold data for the light-emitting elements. In another embodiment, the control circuitry generates bar graph displays.

Abstract: An interface to an indicator array for providing status information from a repeater used in a computer network. The interface multiplexes status value signals from the repeater provided to a group of enabled source buffers driving columns of the array. Rows of the array are driven by status enable signals from a sink buffer attached to each row. LEDs of the array have an anode connected to a source buffer and a cathode connected to a sink buffer. Cycling through the source buffer groups and status enable signals provides a 10% duty cycle for each indicator. When status values change more frequently than about once per millisecond, a pulse stretcher is used to extend the perceived duration of the status indication.