Multiplex communications – Wide area network – Packet switching
Patent
1994-06-20
1996-03-05
Beausoliel, Jr., Robert W.
Multiplex communications
Wide area network
Packet switching
370 854, G06F 1134
Patent
active
054974607
ABSTRACT:
A system (such as a multiprotocol LAN adapter) for use in a workstation or other processing machine automatically determines the type of network to which the workstation is connected and for automatically determines the type of physical medium to which the workstation is attached. The system has a plurality of different physical ports for supporting various available physical media over which network data may be transmitted. For example, the system may have a port for connecting to shielded twisted pair (STP) wiring, a port for connecting to unshielded twisted pair (UTP) wiring, a port for connecting to coaxial cable, and a port for supporting the Attachment Unit Interface (AUI). Connected to each of these physical ports are various network interface devices for supporting the various available networking protocols, e.g., token ring, Ethernet, etc. Logic circuitry and control software are connected to the network interface devices. In order to determine the valid network connections to the individual ports, a short interrogation frame is successively transmitted by each of the network interface devices to each of the ports. Depending upon the status of each transmission, the system determines what type of network (if any) is connected to and by which type of physical medium. Based upon these two determinations, the workstation can be automatically configured without user intervention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4999833 (1991-03-01), Lee
patent: 5077732 (1991-12-01), Fischer et al.
patent: 5117422 (1992-05-01), Hauptschein et al.
patent: 5195085 (1993-03-01), Bertsch et al.
patent: 5208803 (1993-05-01), Conforti et al.
patent: 5222062 (1993-06-01), Sharma et al.
patent: 5247464 (1993-09-01), Curtis
patent: 5247517 (1993-09-01), Ross et al.
patent: 5251204 (1993-10-01), Izawa et al.
patent: 5251213 (1993-10-01), Videlock et al.
patent: 5265241 (1993-11-01), Arnold et al.
patent: 5285449 (1994-02-01), Georgious
patent: 5301303 (1994-04-01), Abraham et al.
patent: 5317568 (1994-05-01), Bixby et al.
patent: 5379296 (1995-01-01), Johnson et al.
Heinzmann "Configuration Control for Bus Networks" 1900 IEEE pp. 49-59.
Bailey Warren D.
Dixon Erik L.
Ferris Michele M.
Garrett Henry M.
Paussa Gregory F.
Beausoliel, Jr. Robert W.
De'cady Albert
International Business Machines - Corporation
Keohane Stephen T.
LandOfFree
System and method for determining network connectivity does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System and method for determining network connectivity, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System and method for determining network connectivity will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1417977