Abstract: A real-time ring-loop surveillance network system is provided. By using digital communication network, multiple channels of media data and control data are transmitted in a ring-loop. The media data includes any forms of digital audio and video data, which is transmitted through 802.3/802.3u physical layer interface. The media data reaches all the stations in the network at the same time, and the number of the stations in the system depends on the system requirements. The number of the channels depends on the transceiver's speed. The present invention defines frames to encompass the media data and control data for transmission. The point-to-point delay is less than 0.15 ms. When 32 stations are connected in a ring-loop, the maximum delay is less than 5 ms. A backup mechanism is also included to detect and automatically switch to maintain the normal operation of the surveillance network system. The monitor signals are also encompassed in frames transmitted in the same network.

Abstract: Methods are provided for discovering nodes participating in a ring network. According to one embodiment, a ring controller receives a packet containing an arbitration token. If the arbitration token does not arrive within a preselected network timeout period, then the ring controller generates an arbitration token. If the packet contains an arbitration token, then the ring controller checks to see if it was modified by a higher priority node and if not, sets itself as the master node. For each discovery marker in the packet, the ring controller saves topology information associated with the discovery marker. The ring controller adds to the packet a first discovery marker when the packet does not contain a first discovery maker, wherein the first discovery marker includes topology information associated with the node. Finally, the ring controller sends the packet to a next node in the network.

Abstract: A method for controlling a flow of packet data in a memory management unit of a network switch fabric is disclosed. A first portion of a data packet is received at a port on an ingress bus ring of the network switch fabric. A class of service for the data packet is determined based on the first portion and the portion is stored in a packer RAM of the port based on the class of service. Subsequent portions of the data packet are stored in the packer RAM. Once the predetermined number of portions have been received, the predetermined number of portions is sent to a packet pool RAM. A reference pointer to a first predetermined number of portions is sent to a transaction queue once an end of packet is detected and an egress scheduler detects a presence of a ready packet in the transaction queue and notifies an unpacker of the ready packet. The unpacker puts the ready packet into a FIFO and the ready packet is sent to an ingress/egress module.

Abstract: A communication network system includes: a plurality of lower hierarchy networks, each having a plurality of first relay apparatuses; and an intermediate hierarchy network having a plurality of second relay apparatuses for connecting the plurality of lower hierarchy networks via the second relay apparatuses at the edge position line-connected to the first relay apparatuses at the edge position. Each of the first relay apparatuses has a first routing table that holds information limited to routing information corresponding to the first relay apparatus and routing information on at least one of the first relay apparatuses and the second relay apparatuses in the edge positions that come into an adjacent state. Each of the second relay apparatuses has a second routing table that holds information including routing information on at least one of the second relay apparatuses and the first relay apparatuses in the edge positions that come into an adjacent state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling a protection path within a network to be monitored are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for sending traffic on a path within an optical network system that has a plurality of nodes and a plurality of fibers includes identifying a circuit path within the optical network system which is associated with a first node and includes at least one fiber. The method also includes sending a signal that includes embedded path trace information on the circuit path from the first node on the fiber, and determining when the signal is received from the first node by a second node over the fiber. Finally, the method includes broadcasting path trace information to the plurality of nodes when it is determined that the signal is not received by the second node over the fiber.

Abstract: A system enabling inter-ring network connection when a plurality of ring networks are connected via a redundancy network, that is, a packet network system configured by a plurality of ring networks and redundancy networks linking the plurality of ring networks. This system virtually defines a plurality of virtual resilient packet ring networks among all of these packet networks and transfers packets on a designated virtual resilient packet ring network. Here, each virtual resilient packet ring network is identified by a virtual resilient packet ring network identifier allocated to each.

Abstract: A switch, switched architecture and process for transferring data through an FCAL switch is disclosed. The switch uses multiple switch control circuits each coupled to one FCAL network and all connected to a crossbar switch. The switch control circuits are coupled together by a protocol bus for coordination purposes. Local conversations can occur on each FCAL loop and crossing conversations through the switch can occur concurrently. The OPN primitive is used to establish the connection before any data is transferred thereby eliminating the need for buffer memory in the switch control circuits. The destination address of each OPN is used to address a lookup table in each switch control circuit to determine if the destination node is local. If not, the destination is looked up and a connection request made on the protocol bus. If the remote port is not busy, it sends a reply which causes both ports to establish a data path through the backplane crossbar switch.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a method for replicating ring back tone (RBT). In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of sending a Play and Collect request to a media resource server (MRS) by an application server (AS), playing an RBT subscribed by the called party to the calling party and obtaining a Replicate RBT request initiated by the calling party according to the Play and Collect request by the MRS, receiving the Replicate RBT request obtained and sent by the MRS, by the AS, and sending a Replicate RBT command to an RBT platform according to the received Replicate RBT request by the AS, the Replicate RBT command carrying RBT replication information and instructing the RBT platform to replicate the requested RBT to an information library of the calling party. The invention also relates to a system and apparatus for implementing same.

Abstract: A new architecture capable of utilizing the existing twisted pair interface between customer premises equipment and an associated serving local switching office is used to provide a vast array of new services to customers. Using an intelligent services director (ISD) at the customer services equipment as an interface for the equipment to an existing twisted cable pair and a facilities management platform (FMP) at the serving local switching office as an interface to various networks and service opportunities, new services such as simultaneous, multiple calls (voice analog or digital), facsimile, Internet traffic and other data can be transmitted and received over the twisted cable pair by using digital subscriber loop transmission schemes. The new services include but are not limited to videophone, utility meter reading and monitoring, broadcasting and multicasting.

Abstract: A new architecture capable of utilizing the existing twisted pair interface between customer premises equipment and an associated serving local switching office is used to provide a vast array of new services to customers. Using an intelligent services director (ISD) at the customer services equipment as an interface for the equipment to an existing twisted cable pair and a facilities management platform (FMP) at the serving local switching office as an interface to various networks and service opportunities, new services such as simultaneous, multiple calls (voice analog or digital), facsimile, Internet traffic and other data can be transmitted and received over the twisted cable pair by using digital subscriber loop transmission schemes. The new services include but are not limited to videophone, utility meter reading and monitoring, broadcasting and multicasting.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for Ethernet and multimedia functions into a LAN subsystem are provided. In this regard, an integrated network interface which may comprise one or more Ethernet interfaces, and one or more high definition (HD) multimedia interfaces may be enabled to transmit and/or receive HD multimedia content over a network. Audio/Video Bridging and/or Audio/Video Bridging extensions may be utilized for the transmission and/or reception of HD multimedia content over a network. The integrated network interface may be enabled to transmit and/or receive physical layer signals adhering to protocols such as Ethernet and DisplayPort and may be configurable to select the type of signals to be transmitted or received. In this regard, aspects of the invention may enable converting Ethernet frames to DisplayPort micro-packets and visa-versa.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for performing longitudinal balance calibration. A differential signal is provided. A calibration of a gain of at least a portion of the differential signal to affect the longitudinal balance associated with the differential signal. Performing the calibration includes: receiving a first portion of the differential signal and determining a gain associated with the first portion; receiving a second portion of the differential signal and determining a gain associated with the second portion; determining a difference between the respective gains of the first and second portions to determine whether the difference is outside a predetermined range of tolerance; and modifying at least of the gain of the first portion and the gain of the second portion based upon a determination that the difference is outside the predetermined range of tolerance.

Abstract: A switch, switched architecture and process for transferring data through an FCAL switch is disclosed. The switch uses multiple switch control circuits each coupled to one FCAL network and all connected to a crossbar switch. The switch control circuits are coupled together by a protocol bus for coordination purposes. Local conversations can occur on each FCAL loop and crossing conversations through the switch can occur concurrently. The OPN primitive is used to establish the connection before any data is transferred thereby eliminating the need for buffer memory in the switch control circuits. The destination address of each OPN is used to address a lookup table in each switch control circuit to determine if the destination node is local. If not, the destination is looked up and a connection request made on the protocol bus. If the remote port is not busy, it sends a reply which causes both ports to establish a data path through the backplane crossbar switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for an end-to-end connection between an RPR and an MPLS network, where the RPR network is linked to the MPLS network (and viceversa) through a TLS layer. In a preferred solution, the client layer is Ethernet, but any client layer can be considered.

Abstract: A communication system utilizes point-to-multipoint wireless links between base stations and wireless hubs that are co-located at some of the base stations. Bonded circuits may be used between the wireless hubs and a communication ring. A mobile switching center is coupled to the communication ring. The base stations and the mobile switching center exchange user communications in the Ethernet format over the point-to-multipoint wireless links, bonded circuits, and the communication ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving performance of a loop network, in particular a Fiber Channel Arbitrated Loop. The loop network has two loops and a plurality of dual-ported devices each with one port on each loop. The method includes selectively bypassing redundant ports on the loops by a first command means in the form of a Fiber Channel Arbitrated Loop command to balance port accesses and to reduce the loop overhead by reducing the number of ports in each loop. In the event of a fault, bypassing the port of a device by a second command means in the form of a non Fiber Channel Arbitrated Loop command and enabling all the bypassed redundant ports with a single command to all ports using the first command means. The first command means does not enable the port bypassed by the second command means.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus allows multiple virtual switches in a physical switch to share one physical Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) in an RPR network. Modules in the multiple virtual switches add multicast information to traffic to direct the traffic along a common path to other physical switches on the ring, and modules in the virtual switches inspect traffic to determine whether the traffic is directed to the respective virtual switch. Multiple virtual RPR subrings are made available in a single physical ring, increasing usefulness of virtual switches formerly only able to support multiple tributary connections to other networks but not able to share a single ring network communications path. Sharing a single communications path increases overall network bandwidth, and at least one implementation allows for spatial reuse.

Abstract: A bridge node converts a MAC frame addressed to a station node into a RPR MAC frame and thus transmits it, and encapsulates a MAC frame addressed a station being located the outside of a ring and connected to other bridge node into the RPR MAC frame, and transmits it. The bridge node thereby receives a RPR MAC frame into which the MAC frame is encapsulated, and the station node receives the RPR MAC frame that the MAC frame is not encapsulated.

Abstract: A switch, switched architecture and process for transferring data through an FCAL switch is disclosed. The switch uses multiple switch control circuits each coupled to one FCAL network and all connected to a crossbar switch. The switch control circuits are coupled together by a protocol bus for coordination purposes. Local conversations can occur on each FCAL loop and crossing conversations through the switch can occur concurrently. The OPN primitive is used to establish the connection before any data is transferred thereby eliminating the need for buffer memory in the switch control circuits. The destination address of each OPN is used to address a lookup table in each switch control circuit to determine if the destination node is local. If not, the destination is looked up and a connection request made on the protocol bus. If the remote port is not busy, it sends a reply which causes both ports to establish a data path through the backplane crossbar switch.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a packet in a wireless access network based on a wavelength identification code scheme. The method comprises the steps of connecting n number of RNCs (Radio Network Controllers) to one sub-ring where the “n” is a positive integer, and assigning a unique wavelength to each RNC; identifying a packet to be transmitted between the RNCs located within a same sub-ring using the assigned unique wavelength, and transmitting the packet through an SRC (Sub-Ring Controller); connecting m number of SRCs to one main-ring where the “m” is a positive integer, and assigning a unique wavelength to each SRC; and detaching a wavelength identification code from the packet to be transmitted between the RNCs located within different sub-rings, and transmitting the packet having the encapsulated wavelength identification code through an MRC (Main-Ring Controller).

Abstract: A multi-port SERDES transceiver includes multiple parallel ports and serial ports, and includes the flexibility to connect any one of the parallel ports to another parallel port or to a serial port, or both. Furthermore, the multi-port transceiver chip can connect any one of serial ports to another serial port or to one of the parallel ports. The substrate layout of the multi-port SERDES transceiver chip is configured so that the parallel ports and the serial ports are on the outer perimeter of the substrate. A logic core is at the center of the substrate, where the logic core operates the serial and parallel data ports, and the bus that connects the data ports. The bus can be described as a “ring” structure (or donut “structure”) around the logic core, and is configured between the logic core and the data ports. The ring structure of the bus provides efficient communication between the logic core and the various data ports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a loop network, the loop network (200) including at least one loop (206, 208), a plurality of devices (210) connected to the at least one loop (206, 208) via ports (211, 212), wherein at least two of the devices are initiators (207, 209). The method includes each initiator (207, 209) sending a frame to all other initiators (207, 209) in the loop network (200) identifying any ports (211, 212) which should not be used. Each initiator (207, 209) merges the information from all other initiators (207, 209) with its own information identifying any ports (211, 212) which should not be used resulting in all the initiators (207, 209) generating a single list of ports (211, 212) to be used which is consistent across all the initiators (207, 209). Each initiator (207, 209) applies an algorithm (300) to determine a common set of ports (211, 212) to be used by all the initiators (207, 209) and to balance port accesses across the loop network (200).

Abstract: A Time Slotted Logical Ring protocol manages the flow of traffic in a duplex media including a cable distribution network with a head end, a local node, and a group of subscribers. The subscriber includes a cable modem which produces an HDLC serial interface which then goes to the subscriber or gets converted to ethernet by a router and then to the subscriber. The Time Slot portion of TSLR protocol manages upstream and downstream access and uses time tick identification frames in the downstream direction to control upstream traffic. A multiple logical ring protocol in TSLR is used to allocate cable bandwidth between the multiple subscribers.

Abstract: An apparatus including a ring network, a plurality of nodes on the ring network to act as senders, a node on the ring network to act as a receiver, the receiver having receiver logic to place a token on the ring, the token further having an indication of an activation status, and network logic to pass the token along the ring network from each node to the next after the token is placed on the ring network and to activate the token by setting the indication of the activation status to a value indicating that the token is active at a location on the ring determined so that over a defined period of time, the token is activated in proximity to each sender at approximately the same frequency.

Abstract: A system for employing a scalable distributed arbitration scheme, including: a plurality of stations interconnected via a ring topology for transferring data between the plurality of stations; and a bus coupling the plurality of stations in the ring topology; wherein each of the plurality of stations on the topology ring is permitted to independently make a decision when to load their data on the topology ring by evaluating a set of inputs.

Abstract: In a communications network, a node receives a transit packet. The priority assigned to the transit packet is determined and when it has a low priority then the transit packet is removed and a higher priority packet is inserted in the resulting vacancy.

Abstract: A multi-port Serdes transceiver includes multiple parallel ports and serial ports, and includes the flexibility to connect any one of the parallel ports to another parallel port or to a serial port, or both. Furthermore, the multi-port transceiver chip can connect any one of serial ports to another serial port or to one of the parallel ports. The substrate layout of the multi-port Serdes transceiver chip is configured so that the parallel ports and the serial ports are on the outer perimeter of the substrate. A logic core is at the center of the substrate, where the logic core operates the serial and parallel data ports, and the bus that connects the data ports. The bus can be described as a “ring” structure (or donut “structure”) around the logic core, and is configured between the logic core and the data ports. The ring structure of the bus provides efficient communication between the logic core and the various data ports.

Abstract: Normal 802.3 Ethernet requires a tree topology. If a ring or a loop exists, then packets will be forwarded around the ring indefinitely. If the ring is broken, then there is no possibility of packets being propagated forever. This invention shows how to quickly impose a virtual break in the ring such that all nodes can communicate with each other, and how to remove the virtual break when a real failure occurs. This is accomplished by placing intelligent nodes on the ring that work together to virtually break and restore the ring. An embodiment is disclosed that handles a unidirectional break in a communication link where the unidirectional break is not sensed as an OPER DOWN state. This abstract is provided as an aid to those performing prior art searches and not a limitation on the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A network device includes a media access control (MAC) device that transmits a first data stream at a first data rate that includes symbols having M bits. A translator converts the first data stream to a second data stream at a second data rate. The translator includes a data appender that appends N bits to the symbols in the first data stream to generate second symbols having M+N bits. A data duplicator duplicates the second symbols X times to produce the second data stream at the second data rate.

Abstract: Normal 802.3 Ethernet requires a tree topology. If a ring or a loop exists, then packets will be forwarded around the ring indefinitely. If the ring is broken, then there is no possibility of packets being propagated forever. This invention shows how to quickly impose a virtual break in the ring such that all nodes can communicate with each other, and how to remove the virtual break when a real failure occurs. This is accomplished by placing intelligent nodes on the ring that work together to virtually break and restore the ring. An embodiment is disclosed that allows a ring node to bridge user traffic in the case that no switch table entry is present for that traffic. This abstract is provided as an aid to those performing prior art searches and not a limitation on the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A method for notifying a packet destination that includes receiving a packet by a network interface card (NIC), where the packet destination is a destination of the packet, classifying the packet, forwarding the packet to one of a plurality of receive rings on the NIC, determining whether the one of the plurality of receive rings comprises space to store the packet, dropping the packet if the receive ring does not comprise the space to store the packet, and sending a notification message to the packet destination, where the notification message indicates that the packet was dropped by the receive ring.

Abstract: In a slotted ring network, a node may transmit a non-renewable slot reservation with any unreserved slot. The reservation restricts other nodes from transmitting a new packet in the slot. When the slot returns around the ring to the reserving node, the slot will be available. Preferably, reservation is made responsive to a starvation condition in the reserving node, which may be detected in any of various ways. In an optional enhancement, a reservation identifies the reserving node, and another node on the ring is free to transmit a new packet in the reserved slot if the new packet will reach its destination at or before the reserving node, and thus will not interfere with the reservation.

Abstract: An audio network system allows any two nodes among a plurality of nodes to transmit and receive audio data to and from each other. The plurality of the nodes are connected in loop so as to allow transmission of the audio data in loop manner through the plurality of the nodes, and the transmission of the audio data is performed in one direction from an upstream node to a downstream node. One of the plurality of the nodes is set as a master node and the other nodes are set as slave nodes. The master node periodically transmits a packet of frame data containing the audio data every sampling period, such that the packet transmitted from the master node circulates through the plurality of the nodes to return to the master node within one or more sampling period. The packet has a specific data length and includes an audio data storage region divided into a plurality of blocks corresponding to a plurality of channels, such that each of the blocks stores audio data of the corresponding channel.

Abstract: A determining unit determines an allowable rate of data input permitted at a local node. A generating unit generates, when the allowable rate determined by the determining unit is equal to or greater than a target rate of the local node, extended control information including satisfaction information indicating that the target rate is achieved. A transmitting unit transmits the extended control information generated by the generating unit to an upstream node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a loop network, the loop network (200) including at least one loop (206, 208), a plurality of devices (210) connected to the at least one loop (206, 208) via ports (211, 212), wherein at least two of the devices are initiators (207, 209). The method includes each initiator (207, 209) sending a frame to all other initiators (207, 209) in the loop network (200) identifying any ports (211, 212) which should not be used. Each initiator (207, 209) merges the information from all other initiators (207, 209) with its own information identifying any ports (211, 212) which should not be used resulting in all the initiators (207, 209) generating a single list of ports (211, 212) to be used which is consistent across all the initiators (207, 209). Each initiator (207, 209) applies an algorithm (300) to determine a common set of ports (211, 212) to be used by all the initiators (207, 209) and to balance port accesses across the loop network (200).

Abstract: A logical star architecture imposed on an underlying non-star network, for example a Virtual Path Ring (VPR), enhances a mesh protocol with an automatic method for Virtual Path ID (VPI) generation. The VPIs are used by the mesh protocol's inherent routing function to effect automatic configuration at installation, automatic reconfiguration at node updates, and automatic reconfiguration for protection switching. The imposition of the logical star architecture on a VPR reduces node-to-node switching costs (e.g., delay, as well as memory and processing costs) since all nodes in a logical star topology are at most two logical hops away. The logical star also conserves virtual path address space relative to a fully configured ring. Additionally, the imposition of the logical star architecture allows existing star functions to be deployed on the underlying network. Finally, when the underlying architecture is a ring, the protection advantages of ring networks can be preserved.

Abstract: A switch is configured to block packets from being transmitted through designated ports. The switch has port bitmap generator configured to obtain a port bitmap and a table is configured to store a block mask indicating which port the packet should not be transmitted. A block mask lookup is configured to determine the block mask for the packet from the table, and a transmit port bitmap generator is configured to determine which ports the packet should be transmitted using the port bitmap and the block mask.

Abstract: A ring switch for a ring network is provided. The ring switch includes at least one ring port that is coupleable to transport data packets in a ring network. Further, the ring switch includes at least one local port that is coupleable to at least one local area network. The ring switch also includes at least one address table that tracks the addresses of network devices associated with each port of the ring switch based on source addresses of data packets received at the ports of the ring switch. Data packets received at the at least one ring port that are not destined for a network device associated with any of the at least one local ports of the ring switch are switched to another ring switch coupled to the at least one ring port based on the at least one address table without the use of a token or encapsulating the packet.

Abstract: A telecommunications system (10) includes a first cross-connect switch (12) and a second cross-connect switch (14). The first cross-connect switch (12) includes a switching matrix that provides information from a matrix connection to a selector (28) of an output interface (18). The selector (28) places the information from the switching matrix onto one or both of a working channel (24) and a protection channel (26). The second cross-connect switch (14) receives the working channel (24) and the protection channel (26) at an input interface (20). The input interface (20) includes a selector (30) that checks a signal quality of the working channel (24) and the protection channel (26). When necessary, the selector (30) sends a request to the selector (28) to bridge the working channel (24) onto the protection channel (26).

Abstract: A system and method automatically maps network addresses of a first protocol for a plurality of network elements in a first network to network addresses of a second protocol. A table is defined and maintained in each network element of the plurality of network elements. An identifier within the first protocol for each network element of the plurality of network elements and an address corresponding to the second protocol-for each network element of the plurality of network elements is assigned and stored in the table. The first protocol identifier is associated with the address corresponding to the second protocol within the table for each network element of the plurality of network elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with this invention allow for each node within one or more rings to obtain connection and topology information from other nodes within these rings. In such a system, each node is able to maintain connection table and topology tables for each node and each ring within a ring network. In particular, such information can be kept current because this scheme allows for dynamic updating of connection and topology information in real time. With such current information, a node is able to utilize this information to execute such operations as squelching connections on a protect line and timeslot interchange. In addition, by supporting timeslot interchange, the ring can be managed as more than a single logical entity as well as can have better bandwidth management utilization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for combining at least two data signals having an input data rate into a single data stream having an output data rate being higher than the input data rate for transmission on a shared medium or vice versa, particularly, to a single SDH/SONET framer capable of handling a large range of SDH/SONET frames from STM-i to STM-j with an aggregated total capacity corresponding to an STM-j frame where i and j are integers in the range from 1 to 64 or higher according to the STM-N definition of the SDH/SONET standards. More over, the present invention can also be extended to work with STS-1 as lowest range. STS-1 exists in SONET only not SDH and corresponds to a data rate of 51.5 Mb/s a third of the 156 Mb/s of STM-1.

Abstract: A memory management unit (MMU) for a network switch fabric for forwarding data is disclosed. The MMU has an ingress port interface receiving portions of a data packet and an egress port interface, connected to ingress ports of the fabric through an ingress bus ring. The MMU also includes a cell packer, that groups packet data into cells and a packet pool memory, that stores cells received from the cell packer. The MMU also includes a cell unpacker, where the cell unpacker separates stored cells before releasing the cells to an egress port. The MMU also includes an egress scheduler communicating with the cell unpacker, where the egress scheduler determines which packet data should be retrieved from the packet pool memory according to priority rules. The priority rules can be a deficit round robin scheduling algorithm or a weighted round robin scheduling algorithm.

Abstract: A communication network system has a plurality of communication terminals, each having a first transmitting unit and a first receiving unit. Information is transmitted and received among the communication terminals through the first transmitting unit and the first receiving unit. At least two of the communication terminals are used as relay terminals. Each of the relay terminal has a second transmitting unit and a second receiving unit for performing only one-to-one-type communication. A received-information relay unit transmits information received from the first receiving unit to the second transmitting unit and transmits information received from the second receiving unit to the first transmitting unit. A relay-terminal-information transmitting unit transmits to the first transmitting unit ID information of the relay terminal and ID information of a terminal to which the relay terminal is providing relay services.

Abstract: A hub for a fiber channel arbitrated loop is disclosed. The hub comprises a switching device including a matrix of switches connected by a plurality of signal lines, each signal line being electrically connected to at least one switch. The hub is operable to selectively connect and disconnect one signal line from at least one other signal line, at least some of the signal lines being operatively connectable to respective devices comprising the fiber-channel arbitrated loop. The switching device is operatively configurable to selectively open and close the switches to arrange the devices on the fiber-channel arbitrated loop.

Abstract: A method of managing time slot interchange in transoceanic MS-SPRING networks. The method, in case of ring failure in a single span of the path installed in a transoceanic MS-SP RING with Time Slot Interchange (TSI) mechanism, comprises the step of carrying out a ring switch action by the MS-SP mechanism, and is characterized by comprising the step of re-routing the path in the time slot of the low-priority channels corresponding to the time slot of the high-priority channels of the failured span. The method according to the invention further provides for the managing of double-failure or multi-failure cases resulting in one or more nodes being isolated.

Abstract: A method and a system is provided for facilitating communication throughout a master/slave network. The network topology includes a transmission cable being operably connected between the network modules. A master module includes a master terminating resistor operably connected to the transmission cable. A slave module includes a slave terminating resistor and a slave switch. The slave terminating resistor is operably connected to the slave switch. A load resistor is operably connected to the transmission cable. The slave switch is operably responsive to the load resistor to generate a terminate enable. The slave switch inserts the slave terminating resistor onto the transmission cable in response to the terminate enable.

Abstract: A PRV-IWF 109 includes an FIN+ACK-DET circuit 205 for discriminating a message in a TCP/IP packet sent from an AS 110, and detecting an end of a data transfer, an ACK-DET circuit 206 for discriminating a message in a TCP/IP packet sent from a DTE 101, and detecting that the DTE 101 has recognized an end of a data transfer, and a line signal transmitting and receiving circuit 207 for providing an indication to an MSC 106 via a signal repeating device to release talking channels for TCP/IP data communication within a mobile communication network in case that a value of a logical product of the detection results of both circuits 205 and 206 is true.

Abstract: A multi-port Serdes transceiver includes multiple parallel ports and serial ports, and includes the flexibility to connect any one of the parallel ports to another parallel port or to a serial port, or both. Furthermore, the multi-port transceiver chip can connect any one of serial ports to another serial port or to one of the parallel ports. The substrate layout of the multi-port Serdes transceiver chip is configured so that the parallel ports and the serial ports are on the outer perimeter of the substrate. A logic core is at the center of the substrate, where the logic core operates the serial and parallel data ports, and the bus that connects the data ports. The bus can be described as a “ring” structure (or donut “structure”) around the logic core, and is configured between the logic core and the data ports. The ring structure of the bus provides efficient communication between the logic core and the various data ports.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for mapping the topology of a network having interconnected nodes by identifying changes in the network and updating a stored network topology based on the changes. The nodal connections are represented by data tuples that store information such as a host identifier, a connector interface, and a port specification for each connection. A topology database stores an existing topology of a network. A topology converter accesses the topology database and converts the existing topology into a list of current tuples. A connection calculator calculates tuples to represent connections in the new topology. The topology converter receives the new tuples, identifies changes to the topology, and updates the topology database using the new tuples. The topology converter identifies duplicate tuples that appear in both the new tuples and the existing tuples and marks the duplicate tuples to reflect that no change has occurred to these connections.