Bridge Between Bus Systems Patents (Class 370/402)
  • Publication number: 20090296727
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for counting Media Access Control (MAC) address moves at line rate is described. According to one embodiment of the invention, a line card in a network bridge receives a frame at a port having a source MAC address that is associated with a different port of the network bridge. The line card signals a control card of the network bridge that the source MAC address has moved. The control card processes the source MAC address move and increments a MAC address move counter. If the MAC address move counter exceeds a MAC address move count threshold for a given time interval, the control card signals each line card in the network bridge to count each frame they receive on any port having that source MAC address. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Shriram Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 7616649
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transmitting compression parameters in a mobile communication system, comprising a mobile node, a first and a second packet switching node. In the method the second packet switching node is informed of the entry of the mobile node to an area controlled by the second packet switching node. At least one compression parameter is received from the first packet switching node to the second packet switching node. The second packet switching node informs at least one of the at least one compression parameter to the mobile node by way of layer-3 parameter renegotiation for a logical link connection. The benefits of the invention are related to improved reliability of packet data transmission to and from a mobile node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks Oy
    Inventors: Mika Heiman, Jyri Turunen
  • Patent number: 7606877
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detailed accounting of packet data are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, on receiving a duplicated HTTP request from a packet duplication apparatus, a billing apparatus extracts an access address to generate a first hash value. Then, on receiving a converted HTTP response from the packet duplication apparatus, the billing apparatus extracts a second hash value from the duplicated HTTP response to compare with the first hash value. If the first hash value and the second hash value are the same, the billing apparatus sets the HTTP REQUEST and the converted HTTP response as a transaction to generate billing data. Thus, the billing apparatus can generate accurate billing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: KT Corporation
    Inventors: Ji-Woong Lee, Un-Hae Choi, Dong-Gi Yang, Byung-Cheol Choi
  • Patent number: 7603441
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic configuration of multiple on-chip interconnects have been described. In one embodiment, the invention reduces the configuration time of several on-chip network features, and also ensures that these features are configured correctly to minimize errors in a design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamil Synek, Chien-Chun Chou, Wolf-Dietrich Weber
  • Patent number: 7594028
    Abstract: Counters are implemented within an 802.1Q VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) bridge model to assist a network administrator in diagnosing network problems associated with the dynamic registration of VLANs. Such counters are able to count the number of dynamic VLANs propagated through a bridging device, and for monitoring the maximum number of VLANs ever simultaneously configured on a bridge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wynona Persephone Jacobs, Steven Edward Ledford, Alejandro Emilio Vasquez, Colin Michael Winegarden
  • Patent number: 7593416
    Abstract: A method for communicating network data of varying speeds comprises establishing a plurality of signal interconnections; storing a first mapping of XGMII signals onto the plurality of signal interconnections; storing a second mapping of GMII signals onto the plurality of signal interconnections; and storing a third mapping of MII signals onto the plurality of signal interconnections. Ones of the plurality of signal interconnections are mapped by each of the first, second, and third mappings. The method further comprises selecting one of the first, second, and third mappings and transmitting the network data over the plurality of signal interconnections using the selected one of the first, second, and third mappings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: William Lo
  • Publication number: 20090225766
    Abstract: A gateway is provided for automatically routing messages between buses, the gateway being connected to multiple communication components for temporarily storing and transmitting messages via these buses, and having a gateway control unit which is connected to the communication components via a system bus for the exchange of messages, and which receives notification from each communication component of the occurrence therein of a message to be routed as an external event. The gateway control unit has a vector memory which includes a first memory region for storing communication component vectors, a communication component vector being provided for each message group of a communication component, and the vector indicating the point in time of the next expected internal event for a message that is temporarily stored in the communication component, and indicating a vector jump address to a message vector which is stored in a second memory region of the vector memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Markus Ihle, Tobias Lorenz, Jan Taube
  • Patent number: 7580420
    Abstract: A wireless extension of the IEEE 1394 bus where two clusters of 1394 devices are linked by a wireless bridge. The device clusters communicate without being bridge-aware. The wireless bridge provides for a bus reset isolation. The wireless extension including a buffer memory for storing self-identification packets in the 1394 interfaces of both boxes of the wireless bridge. With these buffer memories the self-identification packets of the bus stations in the other cluster can be collected and they can be read out during the self-configuration phase of the network after a bus reset when the bus grant is assigned to the box of the wireless bridge that is also connected to the bus where the bus reset has occurred. The physical layer block of the 1394 interface transmits artificial self-identification packets for all bus stations of the other cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Siegfried Schweidler, Dieter Haupt, Klaus Gaedke, Malte Borsum, Herbert Schütze
  • Patent number: 7577155
    Abstract: A printer and printer system that is capable of quickly acquiring a network address and connection, and quickly reporting the same to the user. The printer is part of a network and is thus configured to connect to the network and communicate with other devices connected to the network. The printer includes a printing unit that prints on paper or other recording medium, and an address acquisition unit, which communicates with one or more of the other network devices over the network to acquire network parameters, including an IP address, for the printer. When a network address is thus acquired, the address acquisition unit causes the printing unit to print the acquired address to so inform the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7570650
    Abstract: An optical networking module is formed with an integrated module including optical, optical-electrical and protocol processing components, and complementary software. In one embodiment, the integral protocol processing component is a single ASIC and supports multiple protocols. The module is further equipped with support control electronics in support of control functions to manage the optical, optical-electrical as well as the multi-protocol processing component. The integrated module together with the complementary control software present to an optical networking equipment designer/developer a singular component that handles optical to electrical and electrical to optical conversion, as well as data link and physical sub-layer processing for a selected one of a plurality of datacom and telecom protocols, spanning local, regional as well as wide area networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventors: I. Claude Denton, Bruce Murdock, James L. Gimlett, Edward L. Hershberg, Scott W. Lowrey, Richard A. Booman, Alfred C. She
  • Patent number: 7571272
    Abstract: A bridge comprises an InfiniBand channel adapter, a fiber channel adapter, a command path, and a data path. The command path is coupled to the InfiniBand channel adapter and the fiber channel adapter; and the command path is operable to receive commands from a first of the InfiniBand and fiber channel adapters, to process the received commands, and to transmit the processed command to the other of the InfiniBand and fiber channel adapters. The data path is coupled to the InfiniBand adapter and fiber channel adapter, and is operable to transfer data from the first of the InfiniBand and fiber channel adapters to the other of InfiniBand and fiber channel adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Iain Wilkinson, Tracy Edmonds, Shrikant Jay Vaidya, Jonathan Rollo Pearce
  • Patent number: 7567580
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for an edge side assembler. Data is identified that is associated with a common user of a personal digital gateway and of a communications device selected from a plurality of communications devices. Remote data is located that is stored on the selected communications device. The remote data is retrieved and integrated with the data. The integrated data is formatted according to a presentation format associated with the selected communications device. The integrated data is communicated with at least one of the plurality of communications devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Barrett Morris Kreiner, Donna K. Hodges, Jonathan M. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7568062
    Abstract: A bridge comprises an InfiniBand port, a fiber channel port, a cut-through data path coupled to the InfiniBand port and fiber channel port comprising a data buffer path operable to store data, and a message control path operable to decode and encode message headers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Iain Wilkinson, Jonathan Rollo Pearce
  • Patent number: 7564858
    Abstract: A system and method which enables a provider network to run a loop detection protocol in a customer network communicably coupled to it. The provider network runs a loop detection protocol and the customer network either runs a different protocol or none. The provider network determines its root bridge, or designated customer bridge, which is used to control loop detection decisions for the customer network. A BPDU or other protocol packet received from the customer network is tunneled through the provider network to the designated customer bridge. The designated customer network then processes the received BPDU in accordance with a loop detection instance for the customer network. The designated customer bridge then produces control messages in response to the processing and forwards those messages to the customer network. The control messages may include port state controls for ports in the customer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Foundry Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordi Moncada-Elias, Rajiv Ramanathan
  • Publication number: 20090175285
    Abstract: A method for selecting a data path includes identifying a plurality of available data paths between a router device and a wide area network. Link status information for the available data paths are obtained. Selection rules are processed with the obtained link status information, and one of the plurality of available data paths is selected according to the processing of the selection rules. Data communications are then routed between a local area network and the wide area network via a data exchanger and a remote data link that follows the selected data path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Steven Wood, Patrick Sewall, David Alan Johnson
  • Patent number: 7558257
    Abstract: The invention discloses an information switch, which comprises a management system, a core switching system and an information routing system. The core switching system at least comprises an information bus, a switching module and a switching management module. The information bus comprises an access bus (D-Bus) for connecting with device access gateways, a service bus (S-Bus) for connecting with service gateways, a management bus (M-bus) for connecting with the management system, and a routing bus (R-Bus) for connecting with the information routing system. The management system and the information routing system are connected with core switching via the information bus to perform, respectively, system management and routing management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Liming Network Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yihui Deng
  • Publication number: 20090168789
    Abstract: A method for selecting a data path includes identifying a plurality of available data paths between a router device and a wide area network. Path selection data is obtained. The path selection rules are processed with the obtained path selection data. For each of a plurality of data communications to be routed, one of the plurality of available data paths is selected according to the processing of the path selection rules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Steven Wood, Patrick Sewall, David Alan Johnson
  • Patent number: 7554997
    Abstract: An integrated processor-controlled router and switch fabric architecture provides connectivity between local area network (LAN) ports of an Ethernet switch serving a plurality of local area network users and a wide area network (WAN) port that provides connectivity with the internet. The integrated switch fabric treats the processor interface back to the router as though it were a regular LAN port; as a result, all incoming (WAN-to-LAN) traffic and all outgoing (LAN-to-WAN) traffic relative to the processor interface can be mirrored to any LAN port of the Ethernet switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Adtran, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy James Schlichter, Amy Joan Puon, legal representative, Roberto Corzo Puon
  • Patent number: 7539154
    Abstract: In a system having a plurality of nodes such as Ethernet repeaters, coupled by communication links such as cables, systems and protocols are provided for detecting and/or breaking loops. In one aspect, in response to an added link, a repeater sends a “detect loop” message containing its address to at least one neighbor. Each repeater which receives the “detect loop” message, in turn, sends it to its own neighbor, with the lesser of the received address and its own address. A repeater which receives a “detect loop” message containing its own address declares itself a master loop breaker and can isolate one of its ports to break the loop. In one aspect, a previously intentionally-isolated port can be re-activated, e.g., in response to the loss of a communication link which could potentially isolate one or more nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon MacKay, James P. Rivers, Rita Ousterhout, Sean X. Wang, John K. Chen
  • Patent number: 7525976
    Abstract: A method and system for dial-up device connection to a broadband facility by way of a home gateway. The microcomputer causes the dial-up modem in the home gateway to serve as a host modem. The microcomputer also implements the host portion of a log-in protocol that is expected by the dial up device, in this example the IRD's. Within the IRD itself, a software download causes the dial-up modem in the IRD to not go “off-hook” when starting a callback. The local office, i.e. the PSTN, will not recognize the start of a dial-up session and will not issue a dial tone. The home gateway and the IRD's will carry out a protocol that does not require the recognition of “off-hook”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Godwin
  • Patent number: 7522568
    Abstract: A method of forming an ad hoc hierarchical communication network among a plurality of wireless transceiver includes assigning to each of the transceivers one or more common designations. A network organization routine of the transceivers operates to establish hierarchical networks based on the transceivers' common designations, resulting in a logical network organization that provides efficiencies for acquiring information from particular transceivers that share a common designation. Each transceiver's common designation is used by a digital processor of the transceiver to selectively receive data packets that are intended for receipt by transceivers sharing the particular common designation. Such a “common designation” network reduces power consumption and signal interference, which increases battery life in the transceivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Terahop Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Twitchell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7508774
    Abstract: Extending the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) to provide redundancy and avoid loops in the topology of a service domain associated with a data transport service provided using a provider core network is disclosed. At each of a plurality of provider edge (PE) devices participating in the service, each participating PE being connected to the other participating PE's by a full mesh of mesh connections through the provider core network, a virtual core port is defined that encompasses all of the ports on the PE that are associated with a mesh connection from the PE to one or more other PE's participating in the service. Each participating PE is configured to associate the virtual core port with a virtual core bridge representing the core of the service domain. It is ensured that the virtual core bridge becomes and remains the root bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Regan, Xiang-Ling Tan
  • Patent number: 7499440
    Abstract: A connection adapter is interposed between high-level equipment and a communication module. The connection adapter and a router perform a circuit control and an address conversion processing so that the high-level equipment and a management computer set for the network connection service giving a fixed IP address can use the network connection service giving a dynamic IP address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Nakajima, Masaki Yoshizawa, Masaru Tabata, Wataru Iwazaki
  • Patent number: 7499416
    Abstract: A video teleconferencing system uses digital transcoding to obtain algorithm transcoding, transmission rate matching, and spatial mixing. The video teleconferencing system comprises a multipoint control unit (MCU) for allowing multiple audiovisual terminals, which send and receive compressed digital data signals, to communicate with each other in a conference. The MCU has a video processing unit (VPU) that performs algorithm transcoding, rate matching, and spatial mixing among the terminals within a conference. The VPU includes a time division multiplex pixel bus and a plurality of processors. Each processor is assignable to an audiovisual terminal in the conference and is coupled to the pixel bus. In a receive mode, each processor receives and decodes compressed video signals from its assigned terminal and puts the decoded signal onto the pixel bus. In a transmit mode, each processor receives from the pixel bus uncompressed video signals from any terminal in the conference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Tandberg Telecom AS
    Inventor: Mark D. Polomski
  • Publication number: 20090046687
    Abstract: A mobile Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) network system having a private network and a mobile Internet Protocol (IP) terminal processing method thereof are provided. A private access control router performs an initial access procedure for a WiMax terminal requesting initial access. When a mobile IP address is set in the WiMax terminal, a mobile IP registration procedure for the WiMax terminal is performed according to a mobile IP standard. When the WiMax terminal is a local subscriber WiMax terminal, a virtual IP address for accessing the private network mapped to the mobile IP address is registered in an IP mapping table. A single private access control router can process a local intranet service and a public Core Network (CN) service without an additional access control router and a local subscriber WiMax terminal can receive simultaneously the local intranet service and the public CN service without any special operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd
    Inventor: Moo-Yeon WOO
  • Publication number: 20090041047
    Abstract: A test device and a test method, the test device comprising a bus controller for the transmission and reception of bus messages, the bus controller having a message memory for offering transmission data for bus messages, the message memory having a memory capacity for a bus message sequence with bus messages to be transmitted within a single transmission cycle or a transmission cycle sequence. The test device includes an intermediate memory for the storage of transmission data for bus messages with a larger storage capacity than the message memory. The test device furthermore comprises a transmission preparing means for reading transmission data from the intermediate memory and for writing, in advance of reading of the bus controller, to the message memory of the bus controller so that the bus message sequence is expanded by additional bus messages which are transmitted by the bus controller within the transmission cycle or the transmission cycle sequence on the motor vehicle bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Vector Informatik GmbH
    Inventors: Olav AUGUSTIN, Jochen Braun, Markus Fischer, Martin Gossner
  • Publication number: 20090041046
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a device which may be used for communication through an Ethernet network. The device may comprise two modules. A first module may be based on an existing Fibre Channel arbitrated loop HBA technology. The second module may be configured to provide a virtual Fibre Channel arbitrated loop network for the first module utilizing the Ethernet network. In other words the second module may process communications generated by the first module as well as incoming communications from the Ethernet network in order to make it appear to the first module that it is communicating with an actual Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop network (whereas it is actually communicating through an Ethernet network). Thus, existing Fibre Channel technology can be used for the first module and the overall design cost of the device can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Emulex Design & Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Hiroshi Hirata
  • Patent number: 7477640
    Abstract: A packet processing system including a forwarding apparatus that sends and receives a packet by using a network interface and a control apparatus that includes an application receiving the packet is provided. The control apparatus includes: a symbol part corresponding to the forwarding apparatus; and a transfer control part for sending a request message, to the forwarding apparatus, requesting the forwarding apparatus to set a packet transfer rule for transferring a receiving packet to the application; and the forwarding apparatus includes: a transfer control part for setting the packet transfer rule as requested by the request message; wherein the packet transfer rule includes an interface identifier corresponding to the communication port; and when the control apparatus detects that the interface identifier is changed, the control apparatus sends a correction message, to the forwarding apparatus, requesting the forwarding apparatus to correct the interface identifier in the packet transfer rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Naoki Oguchi, Tetsumei Tsuruoka
  • Patent number: 7474667
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for enabling a virtual personalized network. Communications are established with a personal digital gateway to control access, sharing, security, and/or management of up-to-date personalized data exchanged between or among a plurality of associated communications devices and/or communications networks. The associated communications devices are owned, operated, and/or accessed by a common user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Barrett Morris Kreiner, Donna K. Hodges, Jonathan M. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7474673
    Abstract: A system for providing telecommunication service between users, includes a first network, a second network, a gateway. The first network is capable of communicating media in at least one encoding format. The second network is capable of communicating media in at least one format. In operation, the gateway receives a call setup message from the first network, the call setup message signaling for a media channel for transporting media between a first device and a second device. The gateway identifies a first encoding format for the media communicated with the first network. The gateway also determines a second encoding format for the media in the media channel communicated with the second network. If the first encoding format and the second encoding format are different, the gateway modifies transcoding information in the call setup message, the transcoding information indicating a number of transcoding points on the media channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger D. Kennealy
  • Publication number: 20080310436
    Abstract: A broadband multi-drop local network, interface and method for multimedia access. A local network architecture include a wired bus coupleable directly to an external data network terminal and configured for carrying broadband packetized data traffic over a frequency spectrum uninterrupted by other defined data channels or services; and one or a plurality of network transceivers operable individually for coupling an addressable network device processing a defined class of information to the bus wherein each network appliance is configured for and further operable for providing communication interfacing of the class of information of each addressable network appliance with the packetized IP data traffic on the wired bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: BERNARD F. BAREIS
  • Patent number: 7466711
    Abstract: A system and method for synchronously processing a packet are disclosed, which improve the speed of processing the packet by using a load balancing mechanism. The system comprises a switch and a clustered architecture for processing the packet. The switch is for receiving and transmitting the packet. The clustered architecture contains packet processing devices and receives the packet from the switch. All packet processing devices can synchronously process the packet. Each packet processing device has a non-duplicate device number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Accton Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shiuh-Pyng Shieh, Yung-Zen Lai, Fu-Yuan Lee
  • Publication number: 20080304502
    Abstract: A vehicle gateway device is provided with a relay function unit (11) for relaying communication data to a bus line (BL2) if communication data flowing on a bus line (BL1) is relay data to be relayed to a bus line (BL2) and a (NM) function unit (21) for performing a specified network management process in accordance with (NM) data if the communication data flowing on the bus line (BL1) is (NM) data transmitted for the implementation of an (NM) function. The relay function unit (11) is constructed by an (ASIC) and the (NM) function unit (21) is constructed by a microcomputer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoki Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7460492
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to prevent the formation of loops in a network. The network device includes a plurality of ports for receiving and forwarding network messages and a spanning tree protocol engine. The spanning tree protocol engine, in one embodiment, implements the Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) to transitions the ports among a plurality port states, including a discarding state, a learning state and a forwarding state. The network device further includes a loop guard engine that is in a communicating relationship with the spanning tree protocol engine and the ports. The loop guard engine monitors the receipt of bridge protocol data units (BPDUs) by the ports. If a given port stops receiving BPDUs, the loop guard engine prevents the spanning tree protocol engine from transitioning the given port to the forwarding state. Instead, the loop guard engine causes the port to transition to loop inconsistent state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurizio Portolani, Shyamasundar S. Kaluve, Marco E. Foschiano
  • Patent number: 7461145
    Abstract: Groups of network devices may be identified automatically based on interface tags associated with network device interfaces such that network devices within a group are automatically identified, periodically or otherwise, based on an association of one or more common interface tags between the group and the network device interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: AOL LLC
    Inventors: Norman Ari Hirschman, Eric M. Wall, John W. Pierce
  • Patent number: 7454513
    Abstract: An interface link layer device for use in a network having a first sub-network having one or more nodes, a second sub-network having one or more nodes and a long delay link via which the first and second sub-networks are connected. The interface link layer device configured to simulate time critical self-ID packets to be effected on the first sub-network based on received information about one or more nodes local to the second sub-network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Spalink, Gralf Gaedeken, Peter Buchner
  • Patent number: 7443845
    Abstract: A fast, lightweight, reliable, packet-based protocol that operates independent of the type of networking protocol used by the underlying physical layer of the network is disclosed. More specifically, the packet based protocol operates independently of or is capable of encapsulating physical layer protocols such as but not limited to MAC, Ethernet, Ethernet II, HARD or IP. The protocol defines at least three different types of frames including Information frames, Supervisory frames, and Unnumbered frames. In various embodiments of the invention, the Information, Supervisory, and Unnumbered frames include DSAP and SSAP field with semantics which are sufficiently large to support the various physical layer protocols that may be used on the network. The Information frames, Supervisory frames, and Unnumbered frames also have the ability to support urgent data delivery and certain memory management functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Silvano Gai, Davide Bergamasco, Claudio DeSanti, Dante Malagrino, Fabio R. Maino
  • Publication number: 20080240135
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus having a first processor to execute instructions, a subordinate processor coupled to the first processor, and multiple physical devices coupled to the subordinate processor. The physical devices may each correspond to a different network communication protocol, and may each include a physical unit to forward packets to the subordinate processor while the system is in a low power mode. The subordinate processor may remain enabled during the low power mode and may include media access control functionality for handling incoming packets of different physical devices. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: John C. Weast
  • Publication number: 20080240136
    Abstract: A programmable controller includes a CPU (central processing unit) unit; and a communication unit coupled to the CPU unit via an internal bus. Each of the CPU unit and the communication unit provides a TCP/IP protocol. The internal bus is coupled to the internet layer of the CPU unit, and is coupled to the Ethernet driver of the communication unit. The internet layer of the CPU unit has a routing function which routes incoming data to at least one of the Ethernet driver of the CPU unit, or the internal bus, and the Ethernet driver of the communication unit has a switching function which routes incoming data to at least one of the internet layer of the communication unit, or the internal bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masafumi Motosugi
  • Publication number: 20080240134
    Abstract: Disclosed are a PCI-Express multi-node switch assembly and a computer system including the switch assembly. This switch assembly comprises first and second interconnected PCI-Express switches, each of said switches having first and second primary ports and a plurality of secondary ports. The first primary ports of the switches are adapted to be connected to a host processor unit, and the second primary ports of the switches are connected to each other to transfer signals between the switches. In the preferred embodiment, the first primary ports of the switches are connected to first and second nodes of a host processor unit. The first and second switches receive functional traffic from said first and second node, respectively. Also, the first and second switches are able to receive configuration information from the second and first nodes, respectively, over the interconnection between the switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas A. Gregg
  • Patent number: 7428238
    Abstract: A network utilizing two or more wiring systems with a bridging function to provide a signal interconnect for communication within and between wiring systems. The bridging function can translate the network signals to a different frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Entropic Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Ladd El Wardani, Itzhak Gurantz, Anton Monk, Brett Bernath, Michael Landry
  • Patent number: 7426192
    Abstract: In addition to a conference server 100, a record server 200 is provided. The conference data of a real-time conference is stored in a storage section 214 of the record server 200 (S2). A conference terminal 300a performs connection processing to the conference (S1) and then transmits a catch-up playback request to the record server 200 (S3). The record server 200 determines whether or not catch-up playback is enabled (S4) and then distributes the past conference data (S6), and notifies the conference terminal 300a that the catch-up playback end point has come (S7-1). Accordingly, the connection of the conference terminal 300a is switched to the conference server 100 (S9) and the conference terminal 300a is connected to the real-time conference (S10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Amano, Hironori Nagayama, Keiji Suginohara
  • Patent number: 7424023
    Abstract: DSL methods, e.g. ADSL/SDSL, are increasingly used for quick access to the Internet. A data terminal of the subscriber is connected via a conventional copper twin wire to an access multiplexer by means of a modem. The access multiplexer is placed in an access node of the network provider, which provides the connection for the subscriber. Typically, the digital subscriber lines of a number of subscribers are connected via corresponding interface modules of the access multiplexer. The linking of the access multiplexer to downstream network elements is effected by means of an Ethernet network that is cost-effective with regard to both design and operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter Klausberger, Hartmut Schüler
  • Patent number: 7417973
    Abstract: A method for configuring a computer network so that no non-root node can allocate itself a Physical_ID reserved for a root node. For each node that executes the self_ID process, a check is made of the available Physical_ID value as well as the designation of the node as a root or non-root node. If the value available is less than a value reserved for a root node, the value is assigned to the node. If the value not less than the value reserved for root node, a check is made to see if the node is a root node. A root node is assigned the value reserved for root. Non-root nodes are assigned a value that is greater than the value reserved for root node. After the value is assigned, the value-node assignment is broadcast over the network and the available pool of values is updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Colin Whitby-Strevens
  • Patent number: 7388831
    Abstract: In a communication system having a plurality of physical communication ports, a hierarchical bond communication interface has a logical interface as a component of the bond at a top level of the hierarchy, and a first subjugate logical interface at a second level of the hierarchy as a component of the top-level logical interface. The communication system has a control mechanism whereby thresholds may be set to determine up or down status of hierarchical bonds for use in communication, according to characteristics of components of the bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Pluris, Inc.
    Inventor: Erol Basturk
  • Patent number: 7376149
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for bridging network protocols are disclosed. A protocol bridge may be used to function as a target for a network processor while performing a target mode operation, while functioning as an initiator on behalf of the network processor while performing an initiator mode operation. In one embodiment, the protocol bridge determines the mode of operation based on information in a received frame's header. In another embodiment, the protocol bridge couples a Fibre Channel device to a storage processor on a packet-over-SONET network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Micro Circuits Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Moretti, David Geddes, Thomas Wu, Salil Suri, Scott Furey
  • Patent number: 7376142
    Abstract: A video enable answering machine having many new features including customized video announcement messages, caller ID based video announcement messages, and time based video announcement messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Irwin Gerszberg, Robert Raymond Miller, II, Jesse Eugene Russell, Edward L. Wallace
  • Patent number: 7366186
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a forwarding component configured to forward data by looking up a routing table, another forwarding component configured to receive the data, and an intermediate forwarding component bridging the two components to forward the data without looking up the routing table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Anand Rangarajan, Sanjay Bakshi, Satyendra Yadav
  • Patent number: 7366185
    Abstract: A system in accordance with the present invention operates a wireless ad hoc network. The system includes a plurality of nodes and a plurality of protocols for governing transmission of data between the plurality of nodes. A first node of the plurality of nodes executes an evolutionary service migration algorithm for transferring a service from the first node to one of the remaining of the plurality of nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen F. Bush
  • Patent number: 7359374
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a relay device enabling efficient management of a voice message and a caller to wait for transmission of the voice message in a short time. The relay device is located at a boundary between an existing telephone network and an IP network, converts and relays a voice signal and an IP packet. The relay device comprises a receiving unit receiving voice source data into which a voice message is digitized, a packet processing unit converting the received voice source data into a voice source data packet as the IP packet, a storage unit storing the converted voice source data packets, and a transmitting unit transmitting, when transmitting a designated voice message to a designated destination, the voice source data packet corresponding to the designated voice message among the stored voice source data packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hideo Abe, Kenji Fukuda, Susumu Kojima, Kazunori Suzuki