US5546378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fault tolerant FDDI wiring hub
Assignee: Nokia Canada Inc
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Filing: 1994-07-21
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Granted: 1996-08-13
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Expires: 2014-07-21
Abstract
Abstract A wiring hub for interconnecting a plurality of switching units, includes a plurality of interface modules for connection to respective external switching units in a dual-attached connection, and a dual FDDI ring interconnecting the interface modules. The interface modules include a switching element operable to bypass each switching unit or insert it on the ring in a dual-attached connection. The switching element automatically switches the interface module to its bypass state when a switching unit is disconnected from the wiring hub.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Wirth
- 👤 Tom Duxbury
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:36
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/42; H04L12/437; H04J; H04J3/00; H04J3/02; H04J3/08; H04J3/085; H04L12/427; H04L12/433
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A wiring hub for providing interconnection at a physical medium dependent layer only in an FDDI network of a plurality of external FDDI stations, comprising: a common chassis; a plurality of internal interface modules on said common chassis for connection to respective external FDDI stations in a dual-attached connection; internal transmission paths in said wiring hub forming a primary ring and a secondary ring and interconnecting said interface modules in a manner consistent with FDDI ring topology to permit a dual-attached FDDI ring to be established through said external FDDI stations and said internal transmission paths; and said interface modules including a switching element operable to bypass each external FDDI station or insert it on said dual-attached FDDI ring in a dual-attached connection, said switching element automatically switching its interface module to a bypass state when a said external FDDI station is disconnected from the wiring hub.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A wiring hub for providing interconnection at a physical medium dependent layer only in an FDDI network of a plurality of external FDDI stations, comprising: a common chassis; a plurality of internal interface modules on said common chassis for connection to respective external FDDI stations in a dual-attached connection; internal transmission paths in said wiring hub forming a primary ring and a secondary ring and interconnecting said interface modules in a manner consistent with FDDI ring topology to permit a dual-attached FDDI ring to be established through said external FDDI stations and said internal transmission paths; and said interface modules including a switching element operable to bypass each external FDDI station or insert it on said dual-attached FDDI ring in a dual-attached connection, said switching element automatically switching its interface module to a bypass state when a said external FDDI station is disconnected from the wiring hub.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A wiring hub as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dual-attached FDDI ring includes shielded twisted pair cable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A wiring hub as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface modules are powered by the FDDI stations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wiring hub as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface modules comprise relays for receiving primary and secondary data from said FDDI stations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A wiring hub as claimed in claim 1, wherein said FDDI stations are frame relay switch cards in a frame relay network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A wiring hub as claimed in claim 1, wherein said interface modules are in the form of replaceable plug-in modules.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wiring hub as claimed in claim 6, further comprising by-pass modules to replace said interface modules when no FDDI station is attached thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A wiring hub as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said interface modules comprises a cascade module for connection to a similar module in another wiring hub, whereby a plurality of wiring hubs can be cascaded together to increase switching capacity.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-08-13 | 2000-02-12 | 2000-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-13 | 2004-02-12 | 2004-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-13 | 2008-02-12 | 2008-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |