EP0656711A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Negotiation systems for communication networks
Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices Inc
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Filing: 1994-11-17
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2014-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A system provides for detection of enhanced capabilities of stations on a communications network. A specified pattern of link test pulses are detected and transmitted to provide for the indication of enhanced capabilities. This is particularly useful for determining whether a particular station is in full duplex or half duplex mode without affecting overall network performance.
Inventors
- 👤 Ian S. Crayford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:28
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/40; H04L12/4013; H04L12/40136; H04L12/407; H04L12/413; H04L69/00; H04L69/24; H04L9/00; H04L9/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for determining whether there are enhanced capabilities between a first and second station within a communications network; the method comprising steps of: providing a specified pattern of link test pulses from a first station, the specified pattern indicating that the station has enhanced capabilities; receiving the specified pattern of link test pulses at a second station; the second station then entering an enhanced mode; and providing the specified pattern of link test pulses to the first station from the second station, the first station then entering the enhanced mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 in which the specified pattern of link test pulses includes varying periods of separation between the link test pulses.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for determining whether there is half duplex or full duplex capability between two stations within a communications network; the method comprising the steps of: providing a specified pattern of link test pulses from a first station, the specified pattern indicating that the station is full duplex communication capable but is transmitting in half duplex mode; receiving the specified pattern of link test pulses at a second station; the second station then preparing to enter the full duplex mode; providing the specified pattern of link test pulses to the first station from the second station, the first station then entering the full duplex mode; and providing the specified pattern of link test pulses to the second station, the second station then entering the full duplex mode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 3 in which the specified pattern of link test pulses includes varying periods of separation between the link test pulses.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for determining whether there is half duplex or full duplex communication within a communications network; the system comprising: a first station for transmitting a specified pattern of link test pulses, the specified pattern indicating that the station is full duplex communication capable but is transmitting in half duplex mode; and a second station for receiving the specified pattern of link test pulses; the second station then entering a full duplex mode; the second station for providing the specified pattern of link test pulses to the first station, the first station then entering the full duplex mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 5 in which the specified pattern includes varying periods of separation of the plurality of link test pulses.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for determining whether there is half duplex or full duplex capability between two stations within a communications network; the method comprising the steps of: providing first specified pattern of link test pulses from a first station, the first specified pattern indicating that the first station is in half duplex mode with full duplex capability: receiving the first specified pattern of link test pulses at a second station; the second station then preparing to enter the full duplex mode; providing the second specified pattern of link test pulses to the first station from the second station, the first station then entering the full duplex mode; providing the second specified pattern of link test pulses from a first station, the second specified pattern indicating that the first station is in the full duplex mode; and receiving the second specified pattern of link test pulses at a second station; the second station then entering the full duplex mode.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for determining whether there is a half duplex or full duplex capability between two stations within a communications network; the system comprising: a first station providing first and second specified patterns of link test pulses, the first specified pattern indicating that the first station is in half duplex mode with full duplex capability, the second specified pattern indicating that the first station is in full duplex mode; and a second station for receiving the first and second specified patterns of link test pulses; the second station then entering full duplex mode; the second station providing the second specified pattern of link test pulses to the first station, the first station then entering the full duplex mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 7 or claim 8 in which the second specified pattern will be within requirements of the first specified pattern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 7 or claim 8 in which the first and second specified patterns are within a 10BASE-T link test pulse pattern.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 7 or claim 8 in which the first and second specified patterns include varying periods of separation of the plurality of link test pulses.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
206 words
A method for determining whether there is a half duplex or full duplex capability between two stations within a communications network; the method comprising the steps of: providing first specified pattern of link test pulses from a first station, the first specified pattern indicating that the first station is in half duplex mode with full duplex capability: receiving the first specified pattern of link test pulses at a second station; the second station then preparing to enter the full duplex mode; providing the second specified pattern of link test pulses to the first station from the second station, the first station then entering the full duplex mode; providing the second specified pattern of link test pulses from a first station, the second specified pattern indicating that the first station is in the full duplex mode; and receiving the second specified pattern of link test pulses at a second station; the second station then entering the full duplex mode. providing a third specified pattern of link test pulses from either one of the first or second stations; the third specified pattern indicating simplex mode only; and recognizing the third specified pattern by the other of the first or second stations, the other station then entering simplex mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 which further includes the step of sending the first specified pattern by the other station responsive to the recognizing step.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 in which the first, second and third specified patterns are within a 10BASE-T link test pulse pattern.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 12 in which the first, second and third specified patterns include varying periods of separation between link test pulses.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus in a station, the station being part of a communications network, the apparatus for determining if other stations on the network include enhanced capabilities; the apparatus comprising: means for providing a specified pattern of link test pulses; the specified pattern indicating that the station has enhanced capabilities; means for receiving the specified pattern of link test pulses; the station upon receipt of specified pattern entering an enhanced mode; and means for disabling the apparatus if the specified pattern of link pulses is not received.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 16 in which the specified pattern of link test pulses includes varying periods of separation between the link test pulses.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus in a station, the station being part of a communications network, the apparatus for determining if other stations on the network include full duplex capability; the apparatus comprising: means for providing first and second specified patterns of link test pulses, the first specified pattern indicating that the station is in half duplex mode with full duplex capability, the second specified pattern indicating that the station is in full duplex mode; means for receiving the first and second specified patterns of link test pulses; upon receipt of the first specified pattern the station entering full duplex mode; means for providing a third specified pattern of link test pulses responsive to an external signal; the third specified pattern indicating that the station is in simplex mode only; means for receiving the third specified pattern of link test pulses responsive to the third specified pattern providing means and means for recognizing the third specified pattern and entering simplex mode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 18 which further includes means for sending the first specified pattern responsive to the recognizing means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 18 in which the first, second and third specified patterns are within a 10BASE-T link test pulse pattern.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 18 in which the first, second and third specified patterns include varying periods of separation between link test pulses.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 18 which further comprises: means for forcing the station to full duplex mode responsive to an external signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 18 which further comprises: means for forcing the station to half duplex mode responsive to an external signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the external signal is hard wire input signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the external signal is software programmable.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
62 words
An apparatus in a station, the station being part of a communications network, the apparatus including means for enabling an SQE test function, the apparatus comprising: means for advertising that the station is full duplex capable; and means coupled to the SQE test function means to disable the advertising means of the full duplex capable advertisement when the SQE test is disabled.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus in a station, the station being part of a communications network, the apparatus including means for determining if there is a predetermined amount of congestion in the station, the apparatus comprising: means for advertising that the station is full duplex capable; and means coupled to the predetermined congestion means to disable the advertising means of the full duplex capable advertisement when the predetermined congestion amount is exceeded; and means coupled to the disabling means for renegotiating the station to simplex mode.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for determining whether there are enhanced capabilities between a first and second station within a communications network; the method comprising steps of: providing a specified pattern of link test pulses from a first station, the specified pattern indicating that the station has enhanced capabilities; receiving the specified pattern of link test pulses at a second station; the second station then preparing to enter an enhanced mode; disabling a transmit function at the second station; providing the specified pattern of link test pulses to the first station from the second station, the first station then entering the enhanced mode; disabling a transmit function at the first station; providing the specified pattern of link test pulses to the second station from the first station; re-enabling the transmit function at the first station; the second station then entering the enhanced mode; and re-enabling the transmit function of the second station.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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