Abstract: In a trunk transmission network for transmitting information signals between nodes via paths, flexible path operation is achieved by setting up paths between source nodes and destination nodes after pre-classifying paths into a higher service class in which any loss of information occurring in that path is made good restored; and a lower service class which permits loss of information to occur in the path. The flexible operation is further achieved by arranging for each node, when it acts as a source node, to recognize the service class of the information signal it is sending to a destination node, and to select a path corresponding to that service class.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for addressing distributed network device processors coupled together through an isolated control plane. Specifically, where an Ethernet switch control plane is isolated within a network device, each processor is associated with an identifier unique within the network device and the identifiers are used as Media Access Control (MAC) addresses. Where control planes within multiple network devices may be connected together and the connected control planes remain isolated between the connected network devices, each processor is associated with an identifier unique across the connected network devices and the identifiers are used as control plane addresses. Using identifiers as addresses in isolated control planes avoids the need to assign and track globally unique addresses.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for multi-level loopback test in a community network system and method therefor, in which a loopback test device is installed between an Ethernet switch in a community and a central office so that the loopback test device can be utilized by network management system in central office to perform a three-level loopback test on the community network system to easily obtain the information of whether there is a fault between central office and loopback test device, whether the connection of Ethernet switch is good, and whether loopback test device operates normally.

Abstract: The automatic control and administration of program-controlled endoscopic apparatuses allocated to an operation within an operating theater belonging to a clinic region and connected amongst one another by way of a CAN-bus using the standardized layer-seven CANopen protocol for communication among one another and a master computer, is modified so that with the same CAN-bus, a double ring structure, a ring-star structure and a ring-ring structure may be logically formed, permitting peer-to-peer communication of the apparatuses, with which the apparatuses have equality of access to each other and the master computer. The apparatuses, connected to one another via the CAN-bus, of all operating theaters of a clinic communicate with and are centrally controlled by the master computer. All apparatuses are capable of informing the master computer of the occurring process data or parameters. System operation is possible at the master computer as well as at the apparatuses themselves.

Abstract: A switch and a process of operating a switch are described where a received data frame is stored into memory in a systematic way. In other words, a location is selected in the memory to store the received data frame using a non-random method. By storing the received data frame in this way, switches that employ this system and method increase bandwidth by avoiding delays incurred in randomly guessing at vacant spaces in the memory. The received data frame is stored until a port that is to transmit the received data frame is available. Throughput is further improved by allowing the received data frames to be stored in either contiguous or non-contiguous memory locations.

Abstract: A communications apparatus having: a communication cable receptacle having signal terminals and power supply terminals for connection to a communication cable having signal lines and power supply lines; a communication interface for transferring a signal to and from an external via the signal terminals of the communication cable receptacle; and one or a plurality of light emitting elements capable of emitting light, the light emitting element being disposed near the communication cable receptacle, being selectively connected to the power supply terminals of the communication cable receptacle, and being capable of displaying at least one of a communication state, a state of the apparatus, an alarm state, and a connection state of the apparatus while receiving a power from the communication cable via the power supply terminals.

Abstract: A telecommunications network is provided. The network uses a ring of ring switches to provide a transport mechanism for data packets that is transparent to the data and protocols contained in the data packets. This transport mechanism is simple and low cost to implement. Such networks can carry, for example, control data between a primary site and secondary sites of a cable network to set up and deliver pay per view, video on demand or near video on demand programming. The network can also be used, in other embodiments, to provide remote access to utility meters, to centralize network management of the cable network, and other appropriate monitoring and control functions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an improved TCP/UDP checksum method. The checksum methods described herein may be characterized as utilizing the system data movement engine, such as a direct memory access (DMA) engine, as part of the checksum process. The checksum process may be incorporated within the prescribed interface mechanisms utilized to move data across an interconnection medium. In this manner a TCP/UDP checksum process has been provided in which checksum generation is incorporated within the data movement engine utilized with a high speed interconnect medium (for example a switch fabric). Moreover, the checksum process may be split up and different operations performed at different steps of the packet transmission process. Thus, portions of the checksum process may be performed on either side of the interconnect medium during the transmission process.

Abstract: An interface and related methods for dynamic channelization in an Ethernet architecture is described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides for token based signing of an unsigned binary which may be a stream of bits (e.g., 0's and 1's). The unsigned binary is signed using a secret key which resides in a token (e.g., a smart card), which makes the secret key available to the token holder. The unsigned binary is downloaded and verified for authenticity by the token coupled to a computing device. In one embodiment, the downloaded unsigned binary is encrypted. If the unsigned binary is authentic, it may be used to replace the prior firmware on that computing device.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing and writing event data to a log on failure of a computer system that is independent of the computer system's operating system. On the occurrence of a failure event in the computer system, a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) program is executed to write data to an event data log describing the failure. A system management controller that is included in the computer system, is configured to receive an indication of the failure. In response to the failure, the system controller initiates an operation of the timer to determine whether the BIOS program has completed execution prior to the expiration of the timer. If the BIOS program fails to complete prior to the expiration of the timer, the system controller accesses and writes data to the event data log.

Abstract: A switch box appliance is adapted for controlling a network of servers. The appliance includes a network interface controller (NIC), an input/output controller coupled to the NIC and an input/output driver. The input/output controller that is controlled by the input/output drivers sends commands through the NIC over an Internet protocol network, such as a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network, to a server on the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for a group communication protocol system. According to one embodiment of the invention, a logical token ring is imposed on a local area network (LAN) for each group on the LAN. A token, representing permission to send a message, is circulated among the group members. The token causes the messages of each group to be serialized independently of the other groups. According to another embodiment of the invention, the group is a replication group containing a primary entity and one or more replica entities.

Abstract: A bridge device (4) for connecting a plurality of communication networks (1-3) around which data is transmitted in frames which include control information defining at least the identity of a destination for data in the frame, each network having at least one end station (8-12). The bridge device comprises a corresponding plurality of data coupling units (13,14) for connection to respective ones of the networks (1-3), each data coupling unit including receive (13) and transmit (14) interfaces for respectively receiving data from and transmitting data onto the connected network. A common store (17) is connected to all the data coupling units for receiving data being transmitted from one network to another.

Abstract: A translation engine is provided for efficiently translating SDH/SONET frames to Ethernet frames and vice versa. In accordance with one embodiment, a translation system includes a buffer for holding SDH/SONET and Ethernet frames. An Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC) address for a corresponding SDH/SONET TDM slot is further provided. A translation engine for translating SDH/SONET frames into Ethernet frames is in communication with an output interface. The SDH/SONET payload is sent through a translation engine to translate the SDH/SONET payload into an Ethernet payload. For translating from Ethernet to SDH/SONET, a reverse process occurs.

Abstract: The present invention preferably places a hardware circuit between the SCU's ARCNET transceiver and the backplane bus rather than a parallel snooper circuit. This circuit builds the map based on the tokens it observes. When the circuit detects the token for the SCU, it blocks the token transmission to the SCU's ARCNET transceiver. It then sends a minimum length “ping” message to each unit that was present on the bus during the last token rotation, but is not present during the token rotation that just ended. Since units that have lost their token can still respond to a Free Buffer Enquiry message, the circuit can use it as a ping to verify whether the missing unit(s) are actually missing or have just lost their token due to noise. After verification, the token is forwarded to the SCU's ARCNET transceiver.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a scalable, application-space, highly-available server cluster. The system demonstrates high performance and fault tolerance using application-space software and commercial-off-the-shelf hardware and operating systems. The system includes an application-space dispatch server that performs various switching methods, including L4/2 switching or L4/3 switching. The system also includes state reconstruction software and token-based protocol software. The protocol software supports self-configuring, detecting and adapting to the addition or removal of network servers. The system offers a flexible and cost-effective alternative to kernel-space or hardware-based clustered web servers with performance comparable to kernel-space implementations.

Abstract: A method of bandwidth management for ensuring a guaranteed bandwidth to each station of a transmission network (18) comprising a plurality of stations (10, 12, 14, 16), forming a logical ring wherein one of the stations is the ring manager and wherein a token frame is circulating along the logical ring from station to station, each station being allowed to transmit data to other stations over the transmission network when it receives the token frame while holding the token during the time the station is transmitting data.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for the controlled transfer of data across LDT and PCI buses without requiring any high latency read operations. The preferred embodiment of the invention removes the need for any read accesses to a remote processor's memory or device registers, while still permitting controlled data exchange. This approach provides significant performance improvement for systems that have write buffering capability.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a source interface device and destination interface device are disclosed. A method of enabling communication between the source device and one or more destination devices includes sending data from the source device to the switch for storage. A frame notify message addressed to the one or more destination devices and indicating that the data has been stored by the switch for retrieval is then sent on the ring interconnect. One of the specified destination devices obtains the frame notify message from the source device via the ring interconnect. A frame retrieval message identifying the data is then sent from the destination device to the switch in response to the frame notify message. In addition, the destination device modifies the frame notify message to indicate whether the destination device was capable of accepting the frame notify message.

Abstract: Establishing network connectivity at user log-in for a computer system is disclosed. A computer is disclosed that includes one or more network components, such as modems and network adapters. Each network component enables the computer to communicate with one or more different networks, such as corporate networks, the Internet, and so on. An operating system of the computer has an initial boot sequence in which network connectivity is established only after a user logged in. The user specifies the desired networks to communicate with during log-in. A method specifying a boot sequence for a computer in which network connectivity is established at user log-in, and a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform such a method, are also disclosed.

Abstract: For a multimedia ring network (A) interconnecting a plurality of units (B), for example built into a vehicle, to be adapted automatically to expansions or reductions with respect to the unite (B), there is a unit serving as the man/machine interface (C), which is built up from an application plane (A4), an interface (E), an access plane (F), a data plane (G), a transmitting and receiving unit (H), a function catalog (I) and a program generator (J). Commands input by a user into the application plane (D) are converted to data telegrams in the data plane (E) and fed into the network (A) by the transmitting and receiving unit (H). The addressed units (B) transmit reply telegrams back to the man/machine interface (C), where they are visually displayed in the application plane (D) for the user. The program generator generates the programs belonging to the functions of the network described in the function catalog (I) and transmits them to the interface (E), to the access plane (F) or to the data plane (G).

Abstract: An arrangement and a method for controlling a radiation device, in particular for heavy ion therapy, are described. The arrangement comprises a chain of circuit modules (11-17), each circuit module (11-17) having a separate communication connection to a preceding circuit module and a separate communication connection to a following circuit module. In the method for controlling the radiation device by means of control modules (11-17) arranged in a chain, each control module (11-17) communicates separately with a preceding control module and separately with a following control module.

Abstract: A method for provisioning a ring-based network is based on a routing of demands on shortest paths, according to a routing metric, and then assigning the routed demands to a collection of rings provisioned from a set of rings that meets preselected criteria, such as having less than a given number of nodes, and a mileage measure that is less than a given mileage upper threshold. The rings are provisioned to minimize a cost function that accounts for the cost of covering demands in rings, and the cost of failing to cover demands in rings. Further, an ordering of the traffic demands is determined that allows for routing as many traffic demands as possible.

Abstract: A ring is configured that has multiple nodes connected by first and second channels. A distributing filter is provided that is configured to direct a first type of data to the first channel in the ring and a second type of data to the second channel in the ring. A fault is detected on at least one of the first and second channels in the ring. The distributing filter is adjusted to redirect data in the ring to avoid the fault.

Abstract: An impaired software image associated with a first networked computer is restored by generating a software image request that identifies the software image and the first computer. The software image request is passed to plural other computers on the network. If one of the other computers has the image, the other computer supplies the image to the first computer to restore the impaired image.

Abstract: An important feature of communications networks is resilience in the event of failure. Conventional ring-configured networks use 100% bandwidth over provisioning so that in the event of failure of a fiber, a span which may be used to use the spare capacity on the same span and in the event of a total failure in a particular span of both working and protection capacity, it is possible to ring switch the data around the far side of the ring in order to provide total protection. However, 100% over provisioning of bandwidth in the network is expensive. By using up to half the protection bandwidth for working date and using span and ring switching together, it is possible to use some of the bandwidth capacity on the protection path and still retain a robust network configuration.

Abstract: Modules of a network switch receive data transmissions from network stations via its I/O ports, each data transmission including an address of a source network station sending the transmission and an address of a destination station to receive the transmission. Each module receiving a data transmission either passes it on to a next module of the network switch via a ring bus or forwards it to the destination station when it is accessible via one of the module's own I/O ports. Each module includes an address translation unit mapping the network address of each station to the particular I/O port though which that network station communicates. The address translation unit updates its address-to-port mapping when a data transmission arrives at an I/O port from a source station having an unmapped or incorrectly mapped address, and then sends a mapping instruction to address translation units of all other switch modules via the ring bus telling them to similarly update their network address mappings.

Abstract: A remote data acquisition and transmission system and method are disclosed. A plurality of application controllers are interfaced with remote equipment from which operation data is acquired by the application controllers. The application controllers communicate with an application host via a local area network, and the application host can communicate with a network operations center using a wide area network interface. In one embodiment, each application controller interfaces with remote equipment that comprises a vending machine.

Abstract: A loop network without a standby loop is provided, wherein switch devices in plural stages are connected through multiple loops. The network has at least a pair of loops each of which transfers data in the opposite directions. Under normal conditions, the respective loops transfer data separately. On the other hand, when an error occurs in either loop in a switch device, a switch device located immediate upstream of the faulty section executes loop back operation to build one end of a C-loop. Moreover, the switch device in which the error occurs in the loop also executes loop back operation after outputting data in process to build the other end of the C-loop. By this way, the C-loop circumventing the faulty point can be established. Thereby, it becomes possible to transfer data through the C-loop with a guarantee of ordering and to repair, replace and/or maintain the faulty point without any influenced on the network.

Abstract: A data structure for a multi-zone peer-to-peer entertainment and communications network. The network serially distributes data that is being streamed from multiple entertainment media sources simultaneously to multiple independent receivers and/or transceivers. The receivers and transceivers may be located in different zones. The zones may be different rooms of a building or house. Each data packet to each node is structured according to the data structure of the present invention. So, each packet includes a preamble that provides a precisely timed synchronization symbol. The preamble synchronizes the remote nodes to a hub and synchronizes each remote node's internal processes. A control bus status bit follows the preamble and indicates hub control bus status. Each packet includes a hub control field and a control data field carry control information. Audio data fields included in each packet carry audio data for an intercom channel and one or more stereo audio channels.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for a Totem system having a network and a plurality of host processors connectable to the network, each of which host processors includes a CPU and is configured for executing processes, wherein the improvement includes, for each host processor, a buffer memory and a co-processor for each host processor. The buffer memory is electrically connected to the CPU and configured for storing messages sent to or from the CPU. The co-processor is electrically connected for providing an interface between the network and the host processor, and is configured for responding to tokens and for delivering messages from the network to the buffer memory for retrieval by the CPU, and for delivering to the network messages stored in the buffer memory by the CPU.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a network data switch and buffer system are disclosed. In a switch having a memory associated therewith, the memory including a general memory and a plurality of dedicated memory segments, the general memory being available to a plurality of users associated with one or more network devices and each one of the plurality of dedicated memory segments being associated with one of the plurality of users, a method of storing data includes receiving data from a source network device connected to the switch. The data is then stored in a data buffer so that a portion of one of the plurality of dedicated memory segments is allocated when the general memory has been depleted.

Abstract: The present invention involves a network polling protocol which treats the network as a logical ring or linear sequence of nodes linked together so that a polling request is simply propagated down or around the network one node at a time until a complete inventory of active nodes is achieved. The protocols also includes procedures for curing or repairing breaks in the linking protocol and for adding new nodes to the linking protocol. The linking protocol can also be used to establish hierarchal linked networks where top level hierarchies includes addresses to a permanent member of a linked network and bottom level hierarchies are a given linked network.

Abstract: A home gateway apparatus that can control the power in each current carrying unit, and lower the power consumption is provided; by dividing the apparatus into a first system that has a minimum function to connect with the Internet, and a second system that has necessary functions to execute applications on the Ethernet®. Both the first and second systems are controlled individually, so that the power is turned on/off separately. Also, when the second system without the power is turned on, an Ethernet® connection controller is provided as an interface to avoid the interface connectivity problem, and an IP address is automatically obtained after turning on the power.

Abstract: A communications interface system and method for a plasma generator is provided. The communications interface system includes a power delivery system component that has a standard POD interface for communicating information that complies with a first protocol. A portable device is coupled between the standard POD interface and a second communication interface for communicating information therebetween. The second communication interface communicates information in a format that complies with a second protocol. The portable device is detachable from the standard POD interface and the second communication interface. A first communication link couples the standard POD interface to the portable device. A second communication link couples the portable device to the second communication interface.

Abstract: An auto-negotiation (AN) method for establishing a high speed link between first and second transmitting devices in a gigabit Ethernet using the 1000 Base-t standard includes transmitting and receiving a base page indicating a transmission capability between the first and second transmitting devices. A message page is transmitted and received that indicates a 1000 Mbps transmission capability between the first and second transmitting devices and a specific state. A first unformatted page is transmitted and received that indicates transmitting speeds and modes, and port types of the first and second transmitting devices. A null page is transmitted and received after the first unformatted page, upon determining a master and slave from among the first and second transmitting devices based upon the first unformatted page. A high speed link is established between the first and second transmitting devices and the AN method is terminated.

Abstract: A modular server system includes a midplane having a system management bus and a plurality of blade interfaces on the midplane. The blade interfaces are in electrical communication with each other. A server blade is removeably connectable to one of the plurality of blade interfaces on the midplane. The server blade has a server blade system management bus in electrical communication with the system management bus of the midplane, and a network interface to connect to a network. A media blade is removeably connectable to one of the plurality of blade interfaces on the midplane, and the media blade has at least one storage medium device.

Abstract: In a passive optical network (PON) connected to an Internet protocol (IP) network where the PON includes an optical line terminal (OLT), a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) connected to the OLT, a preferred embodiment of the invention provides an upstream frame for transmitting data from one of the ONUs to the OLT.

Abstract: The protocol for controlling a network is encapsulated within the token circulated through the token ring network. Each computer in the network that receives the token examines the token and implements the network protocol specified in the token. In this manner, the protocol of the network can be easily changed, and automatically promulgated throughout the network.

Abstract: A multi-processor network processing environment is provided in which parallel processing may occur. In one embodiment, a network processor having multiple processor cores may be utilized. Parallel processing at the front end of the network processor is encouraged while still maintaining ordered serialization between the input and the output of the network processor. The disclosed order serialization techniques obtain the benefits of parallel processing at the front end of the system while minimizing blocking times at the output.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protection protocol for fault recovery, such as a ring wrap, for a network, such as a two line bidirectional ring network. An embodiment of the present invention works in conjunction with a ring topology network in which a node in the network can identify a problem with a connection between the node and a first neighbor. The present invention provides a protection protocol which simplifies the coordination required by the nodes in a ring network. The nodes do not need to maintain a topology map of the ring, identifying and locating each node on the ring, for effective protection. Additionally, independently operating ring networks can be merged and the protection protocol will appropriately remove a protection, such as a ring wrap, to allow the formation of a single ring.

Abstract: A computer system employs a hierarchical ring structure for communication. Computer system elements are configured into modules with ring interface hardware, and the modules are coupled to one or more rings. Bridge modules may be included for transmitting between rings in the hierarchy. The rings are time division multiplexed, and each time slot on a ring carries a frame. According to an address carried within the frame, bridge modules determine whether or not to transmit a frame circulating on a source ring onto a target ring. If the address of the frame indicates a module upon the source ring, the bridge module retransmits the frame on the source ring. Otherwise, the bridge module transmits the frame on the target ring. The bridge module operates in this fashion at any level of the hierarchy. The owner of a time slot on a ring is permitted to release the time slot for use by other modules. To reclaim a time slot, the owner marks the time slot owned.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ring network being installed as bus network comprising: n≧4 nodes 200-1, . . . 200-5; and n−1 cable sections 100-1, . . . 100-5. Each of said cable sections includes a forward line 105-1 . . . 105-4 and a return line 110-1 . . . 110-4. The nodes except the first and the last node of said network are referred to as intermediate nodes. It is the object of the invention to improve such a network such that its total length is enlarged. This object is solved in the way that the network interfaces in said sequential arranged intermediate nodes 200-2 . . . 200-4 are connected alternately between two forward lines 105-1 . . . 105-4 or between two return lines 110-1 . . . 110-4 of the two cable sections being respectively connected to each of said intermediate nodes.

Abstract: The number of nodes that can be identified is increased without redefining switching request and switching status fields in existing K1/K2 bytes. Eight bits are assigned to a node ID field, and source node ID is stored in the node ID field when transmitting over a short path, while a destination node ID is stored in the node ID field when it transmitting over a long path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system and apparatus for managing data flow over an open system interconnection type network (10) which includes a physical layer (12) and a media access control layer (146). The invention implements a plurality of operating modules (315) each enabling a respective media access control layer operating function in which at least a portion of the operating modules are implemented in software. The invention further implements a host interface module (305) for communication between a host processor and the media access control layer, a physical layer interface module (310) for communication between the physical layer and media access control layer, and an inter-module programming interface for communications between respective operating modules. The physical layer interface includes an enhanced media independent interface in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: In a communication network, a ring network is formed with switches connected to a number of parallel channels. Terminal devices are also connected to the parallel channels and supply an input signal. The switches receive the input signal from each of the channels and output it to other channels. The network is configured so that the input signal passes through the switches not less than twice before the signal reaches a destination terminal device. A signal passed through a switch once will reach its destination if that switch designates a channel. Instead, that signal is output using an arbitrary channel in place of being output using the designated channel. Once the signal has made its journey around the ring once, it is output by designating a channel. Since the last switch receives the signal from an arbitrary channel, a broad communication band can be assured.

Abstract: A telecommunications network is provided. The network uses a ring of ring switches to provide a transport mechanism for data packets that is transparent to the data and protocols contained in the data packets. This transport mechanism is simple and low cost to implement. Such networks can carry, for example, data to and from the Internet to a subscriber with a cable modem hook-up to a cable network or a DSL modem connection to a copper wire DSL enabled telephone network.

Abstract: To suitably distribute the load between a client node and a server node in a client-server system, the client node sends a task request signal to the server node in response to input from a user. The server node, upon receiving the task request signal, acquires a CPU load ratio from the operating system and performs the requested task when the CPU load ratio is lower than a preset value to send the result of the task to the client node. Conversely, when the CPU load ratio is higher than the preset value, the server node sends a response signal to the effect that the client node is to execute the requested task. When the client node requests transmission of an application program in response to the response signal from the server, the server node sends an application program for use in performing the requested task to the client node. The client node executes the application program and obtains the result of the task.

Abstract: A computer system employs a hierarchical ring structure for communication. Computer system elements are configured into modules with ring interface hardware, and the modules are coupled to one or more rings. Bridge modules may be included for transmitting between rings in the hierarchy. The rings are time division multiplexed, and each time slot on a ring carries a frame. According to an address carried within the frame, bridge modules determine whether or not to transmit a frame circulating on a source ring onto a target ring. If the address of the frame indicates a module upon the source ring, the bridge module retransmits the frame on the source ring. Otherwise, the bridge module transmits the frame on the target ring. The bridge module operates in this fashion at any level of the hierarchy. The owner of a time slot on a ring is permitted to release the time slot for use by other modules. To reclaim a time slot, the owner marks the time slot owned.