Network topology control method and apparatus

Details Network topology control method and apparatus Network topology control method and apparatus

1990-09-19

1992-01-28

Olms, Douglas W.

Multiplex communications

Wide area network

Packet switching

370 943, 370 8513, 370 8514, H04J 324, H04J 302

Patent

active

050848704

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for detecting invalid network topologies in a local area network (LAN). The stations comprising the LAN include single attachment stations (SAS), dual attachment stations (DAS), wire concentrators (WC), and DAS/WC combination stations. Adjacent stations exchange connection type information identifying a type of physical connection of the station sending the connection information. A station receiving the connection information determines whether the connection is valid for its physical connection type using a connection matrix. Invalid connections can result in a network topology where stations are physically connected, but are not logically connected, because the stations do not all form a primary ring. Invalid connections may be rejected and bypassed in each station. Alternately, a station detecting an invalid connection may reconfigure itself using an internal data switch. The actions of each station, taken together, achieve a globally designated primary ring.

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ANSI Subcommittee X3T9.5, "FDDI Station Management (SMT)" in document No. X359.5/84-49, Aug. 1, 1987.
Rom et al., "A Reconfiguration Algorithm for a Double-Loop Token-Ring Local Area Network", IEEE Transactions on Computer, vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 182-189, Feb. 1988.
"Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)--Token Ring Physical Layer Protocol (PHY)", American National Standard, ANSI X3.148, 1988.
"Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)--Token Ring Media Access Control (MAC)", American National Standard, ANSI X3.139, 1987.

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