US6128729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for automatic configuration of network links to attached devices
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
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Filing: 1997-12-16
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Granted: 2000-10-03
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Expires: 2017-12-16
Abstract
Abstract An intelligent network agent software application for multi-segment network devices (such as bridges or multi-segment repeaters) which have one or more network links automatically configures the network links. Several automatic configuration and loop-recovery features are encompassed, each of which applies toward intelligently making decisions on the user's behalf, without special knowledge or intervention on the part of the user. Such configuration includes: assigning bridged links to different segments (to maximize the connectivity offered by the bridging and to prevent looping); setting up bridged links on a bridge to form full connectivity across the network with another bridge; setting up redundant connections; disabling ports which are causing loops in the network, or other configuration actions. The agent is preferably fully embedded in the hardware device. However, the agent can also exist remotely and communicate with other software intelligence embedded in the hardware device via either an in-band (network) or an out-of-band (non-network) hardware connection.
Inventors
- 👤 Karen E. Kimball
- 👤 Robert L. Faulk, Jr.
- 👤 Robert M. McGuire
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:11
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/08; H04L41/0876; H04L41/0886; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/46; H04L12/4604; H04L12/462; H04L41/04; H04L41/046; H04L41/0803; H04L41/0823; H04L41/0836
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 75
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method by which a multi-segment network device configures network device connections to a first link, the method comprising the following step: (a) if the multi-segment network device detects that a first bridging device is attached to the first link and that no repeating device is attached to the first link, performing the following substep: (a.1) if the first bridging device has been designated as a preferred bridging device, performing the following substeps: adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the first bridging device and if there is no segment available that does not include a link to the first bridging device, disabling the first link.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method by which a multi-segment network device configures network device connections to a first link, the method comprising the following step: (a) if the multi-segment network device detects that a first bridging device is attached to the first link and that no repeating device is attached to the first link, performing the following substep: (a.1) if the first bridging device has been designated as a preferred bridging device, performing the following substeps: adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the first bridging device and if there is no segment available that does not include a link to the first bridging device, disabling the first link.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (a) additionally includes the following substep: (a.2) if the first bridging device has not been designated as the preferred bridging device, performing the following substeps: if no other links to the first bridging device have been configured, adding the first link to any supported segment, and if another link to the first bridging device has already been configured, disabling the first link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as in claim 1 additionally comprising the following substep: (b) if the multi-segment network device detects that a first repeating device is attached to the first link, performing the following substep: (b.1) if another link to the first repeating device has already been configured, disabling the first link.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein step (b) additionally includes the following substep: (b.2) if another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured and the preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, performing the following substeps: adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device, and if there is no segment available that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device, disabling the first link.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as in claim 4 wherein step (b) additionally includes the following substep: (b.3) if another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured and a bridging device which is not the preferred bridging device is attached to the first link, performing the following substep: adding the first link to any supported segment.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
132 words
A method by which a multi-segment network device configures network device connections to a first link, the method comprising the following step: (a) if the network device detects that a first repeating device is attached to the first link, performing the following substeps: (a.1) if another link to the first repeating device has already been configured, disabling the first link (a.2) if another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured and a preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, performing the following substeps: adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device, and if there is no segment available that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device, disabling the first link.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
132 words
A method by which a multi-segment network device configures network device connections to a first link, the method comprising the following step: (a) if the network device detects that a first repeating device is attached to the first link, performing the following substeps: (a.1) if another link to the first repeating device has already been configured, disabling the first link (a.2) if another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured and a preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, performing the following substeps: adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device, and if there is no segment available that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device, disabling the first link.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein step (a) additionally includes the following substep: (a.3) if another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured and a bridging device which is not the preferred bridging device is attached to the first link, performing the following substep: adding the first link to any supported segment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
144 words
A multi-segment network device comprising: a plurality of segments; a plurality of links; an agent used to configure network device connections to the plurality of links, the agent adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device when the multi-segment network device detects that a first bridging device is attached to the first link, that no repeating device is attached to the first link and that the first bridging device has been designated as a preferred bridging device, the agent disabling the first link when the first bridging device is attached to the first link, no repeating device is attached to the first link, the first bridging device has been designated as the preferred bridging device and there is available no segment that does not include a link to the first bridging device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
144 words
A multi-segment network device comprising: a plurality of segments; a plurality of links; an agent used to configure network device connections to the plurality of links, the agent adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device when the multi-segment network device detects that a first bridging device is attached to the first link, that no repeating device is attached to the first link and that the first bridging device has been designated as a preferred bridging device, the agent disabling the first link when the first bridging device is attached to the first link, no repeating device is attached to the first link, the first bridging device has been designated as the preferred bridging device and there is available no segment that does not include a link to the first bridging device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
134 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 8 wherein the agent adds the first link to any supported segment when the multi-segment network device detects that a first bridging device is attached to the first link, that no repeating device is attached to the first link, that the first bridging device has not been designated as the preferred bridging device, and that no other links to the first bridging device have been configured, and the agent disables the first link when the multi-segment network device detects that a first bridging device is attached to the first link, that no repeating device is attached to the first link, that the first bridging device has not been designated as the preferred bridging device, and that another link to the first bridging device has already been configured.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 8, wherein the agent disables the first link when the multi-segment network device detects a first repeating device is attached to the first link and that another link to the first repeating device has already been configured, disabling the first link.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
139 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 10, wherein the agent adds the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device when the multi-segment network device detects a first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured and that the preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, and the agent disables the first link when the multi-segment network device detects a first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured, that the preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, and that there is no available segment that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 11 wherein the agent adds the first link to any supported segment step when the multi-segment network device detects the first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured, and that a bridging device which is not the preferred bridging device is attached to the first link.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
156 words
A multi-segment network device comprising: a plurality of segments; a plurality of links; an agent used to configure network device connections to the plurality of links, the agent adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device when the multi-segment network device detects a first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured and that the preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, and the agent disabling the first link when the multi-segment network device detects a first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured, that the preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, and that there is no available segment that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
156 words
A multi-segment network device comprising: a plurality of segments; a plurality of links; an agent used to configure network device connections to the plurality of links, the agent adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device when the multi-segment network device detects a first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured and that the preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, and the agent disabling the first link when the multi-segment network device detects a first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured, that the preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, and that there is no available segment that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 13 wherein the agent adds the first link to any supported segment step when the multi-segment network device detects the first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured, and that a bridging device which is not the preferred bridging device is attached to the first link.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
118 words
A method by which a multi-segment network device configures network device connections to a first link, the method comprising the following step: (a) if the multi-segment network device detects that a first bridging device is attached to the first link and that no repeating device is attached to the first link, performing the following substep: (a.1) if the first bridging device has been designated as a preferred bridging device, performing the following substeps: adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the first bridging device and if there is no segment available that does not include a link to the first bridging device, making the first link a redundant connection.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
118 words
A method by which a multi-segment network device configures network device connections to a first link, the method comprising the following step: (a) if the multi-segment network device detects that a first bridging device is attached to the first link and that no repeating device is attached to the first link, performing the following substep: (a.1) if the first bridging device has been designated as a preferred bridging device, performing the following substeps: adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the first bridging device and if there is no segment available that does not include a link to the first bridging device, making the first link a redundant connection.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein step (a) additionally includes the following substep: (a.2) if the first bridging device has not been designated as the preferred bridging device, performing the following substeps: if no other links to the first bridging device have been configured, adding the first link to any supported segment, and if another link to the first bridging device has already been configured, making the first link a redundant connection.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as in claim 16 additionally comprising the following substep: (b) if the multi-segment network device detects that a first repeating device is attached to the first link, performing the following substep: (b.1) if another link to the first repeating device has already been configured, making the first link a redundant connection.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
89 words
A method as in claim 17 wherein step (b) additionally includes the following substep: (b.2) if another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured and the preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, performing the following substeps: adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device, and if there is no segment available that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device, making the first link a redundant connection.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
138 words
A method by which a multi-segment network device configures network device connections to a first link, the method comprising the following step: (a) if the network device detects that a first repeating device is attached to the first link, performing the following substeps: (a.1) if another link to the first repeating device has already been configured, making the first link a redundant connection (a.2) if another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured and a preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, performing the following substeps: adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device, and if there is no segment available that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device, making the first link a redundant connection.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
138 words
A method by which a multi-segment network device configures network device connections to a first link, the method comprising the following step: (a) if the network device detects that a first repeating device is attached to the first link, performing the following substeps: (a.1) if another link to the first repeating device has already been configured, making the first link a redundant connection (a.2) if another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured and a preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, performing the following substeps: adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device, and if there is no segment available that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device, making the first link a redundant connection.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
147 words
A multi-segment network device comprising: a plurality of segments; a plurality of links; an agent used to configure network device connections to the plurality of links, the agent adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device when the multi-segment network device detects that a first bridging device is attached to the first link, that no repeating device is attached to the first link and that the first bridging device has been designated as a preferred bridging device, the agent making the first link a redundant connection when the first bridging device is attached to the first link, no repeating device is attached to the first link, the first bridging device has been designated as the preferred bridging device and there is available no segment that does not include a link to the first bridging device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
147 words
A multi-segment network device comprising: a plurality of segments; a plurality of links; an agent used to configure network device connections to the plurality of links, the agent adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device when the multi-segment network device detects that a first bridging device is attached to the first link, that no repeating device is attached to the first link and that the first bridging device has been designated as a preferred bridging device, the agent making the first link a redundant connection when the first bridging device is attached to the first link, no repeating device is attached to the first link, the first bridging device has been designated as the preferred bridging device and there is available no segment that does not include a link to the first bridging device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 20, wherein the agent disables the first link when the multi-segment network device detects a first repeating device is attached to the first link and that another link to the first repeating device has already been configured, making the first link a redundant connection.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
139 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 21, wherein the agent adds the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device when the multi-segment network device detects a first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured and that the preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, and the agent disables the first link when the multi-segment network device detects a first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured, that the preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, and that there is no available segment that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
67 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 22 wherein the agent adds the first link to any supported segment step when the multi-segment network device detects the first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured, and that a bridging device which is not the preferred bridging device is attached to the first link.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
159 words
A multi-segment network device comprising: a plurality of segments; a plurality of links; an agent used to configure network device connections to the plurality of links, the agent adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device when the multi-segment network device detects a first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured and that the preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, and the agent making the first link a redundant connection when the multi-segment network device detects a first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured, that the preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, and that there is no available segment that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
159 words
A multi-segment network device comprising: a plurality of segments; a plurality of links; an agent used to configure network device connections to the plurality of links, the agent adding the first link to a segment, if available, that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device when the multi-segment network device detects a first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured and that the preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, and the agent making the first link a redundant connection when the multi-segment network device detects a first repeating device is attached to the first link, that another link to the first repeating device has not already been configured, that the preferred bridging device is also attached to the first link, and that there is no available segment that does not include a link to the preferred bridging device.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
60 words
A method by which a multi-segment network device configures network device connections to a first link, the method comprising the following step: (a) if the network device detects that a first repeating device is attached to the first link, performing the following substeps: (a.1) if another link to the first repeating device has already been configured, disabling the first link.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
60 words
A method by which a multi-segment network device configures network device connections to a first link, the method comprising the following step: (a) if the network device detects that a first repeating device is attached to the first link, performing the following substeps: (a.1) if another link to the first repeating device has already been configured, disabling the first link.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
101 words
A multi-segment network device comprising: a plurality of segments; a plurality of links; and, an agent used to configure the plurality of links, the agent obtaining information about devices connected to links in the plurality of links, and based on the information, the agent configuring each link by performing one of the following actions for each link: disabling the link, and assigning the link to one of the plurality of segments; wherein in configuring links, the agent does not allow two links connected to a same external bridging device to be assigned to a same segment from the plurality of segments.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
101 words
A multi-segment network device comprising: a plurality of segments; a plurality of links; and, an agent used to configure the plurality of links, the agent obtaining information about devices connected to links in the plurality of links, and based on the information, the agent configuring each link by performing one of the following actions for each link: disabling the link, and assigning the link to one of the plurality of segments; wherein in configuring links, the agent does not allow two links connected to a same external bridging device to be assigned to a same segment from the plurality of segments.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
71 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 26, wherein in configuring links, when more than one link from the plurality of links are connected to a first bridging device, a maximum number of links connected to the first bridging device are enabled with the following constraints: no looping is caused, and no two links connected to the first bridging device are assigned to a same segment from the plurality of segments.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 26 wherein the agent is embedded within hardware that is in a same housing that houses hardware implementing the plurality of segments.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 26 wherein the agent is embedded within hardware that is external to housing that houses hardware implementing the plurality of segments.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 26 wherein the multi-segment network device is one of the following: a network bridge; a switch; a router; a repeater; and a multi-segment repeater.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 26 wherein the information about the devices connected to the links in the plurality of links is detected by the agent.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
34 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 26 wherein the information about the devices connected to the links in the plurality of links is furnished by an application that is external to the agent.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
A multi-segment network device as in claim 26 wherein the information about the devices connected to the links in the plurality of links is supplied by a user of the multi-segment network device.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
110 words
A method by which an agent configures a plurality of links within a multi-segment network device, the method comprising the following steps: (a) obtaining, by the agent, information about devices connected to links in the plurality of links; and, (b) based on the information, configuring, by the agent, each link, including one and only one of the following substeps being performed for each link: (b.1) disabling the link, and (b.2) assigning the link to one of a plurality of segments; wherein in configuring links, the agent does not allow two links connected to a same external bridging device to be assigned to a same segment from the plurality of segments.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
110 words
A method by which an agent configures a plurality of links within a multi-segment network device, the method comprising the following steps: (a) obtaining, by the agent, information about devices connected to links in the plurality of links; and, (b) based on the information, configuring, by the agent, each link, including one and only one of the following substeps being performed for each link: (b.1) disabling the link, and (b.2) assigning the link to one of a plurality of segments; wherein in configuring links, the agent does not allow two links connected to a same external bridging device to be assigned to a same segment from the plurality of segments.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method as in claim 34, wherein in step (b) the agent configures link so that when more than one link from the plurality of links are connected to a first bridging device, a maximum number of links connected to the first bridging device are enabled with the following constraints: no looping is caused, and no two links connected to the first bridging device are assigned to a same segment from the plurality of segments.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 34 wherein the multi-segment network device is one of the following: a network bridging device; a switch; a router; a repeater; and a multi-segment repeater.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 34 wherein step (a) includes the following substep: (a.1) detecting, by the agent, the information about the devices connected to the links in the plurality of links.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as in claim 34 wherein step (a) includes the following substep: (a.1) receiving, by the agent, the information about the devices connected to the links in the plurality of links from an application that is external to the agent.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 34 wherein step (a) includes the following substep: (a.1) receiving, by the agent, the information about the devices connected to the links in the plurality of links from a user of the multi-segment network device.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
76 words
A system for reconfiguring a network communications topology ("NCT"), the system comprising; a multi-segment device having a plurality of links and at least one segment; and an agent that evaluates the NCT for bridging and repeating devices, and subsequently, for each link of the plurality of links, assigns the link to a segment of the at least one segment or disables the link from a segment of the at least one segment to reconfigure the NCT.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
76 words
A system for reconfiguring a network communications topology ("NCT"), the system comprising; a multi-segment device having a plurality of links and at least one segment; and an agent that evaluates the NCT for bridging and repeating devices, and subsequently, for each link of the plurality of links, assigns the link to a segment of the at least one segment or disables the link from a segment of the at least one segment to reconfigure the NCT.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 40, wherein the reconfiguration of the NCT is such that the bridging and repeating devices operate without looping.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 40, wherein the reconfiguration of the NCT is such that the reconfiguration maximizes the number of available segments that can be bridged by the bridging device without looping.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 40, wherein the agent assigns or disables each link of the NCT to reconfigure the NCT such that redundant connections to the bridging and repeating devices can be created.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 43 wherein the agent monitors the active links of the redundant connections of the reconfigured NCT for link failure.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 44, wherein the agent manages the redundant connections such that when a monitored link fails the agent reconfigures the NCT again by activating an appropriate redundant connection to replace a failed link.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 40, wherein the bridging and repeating devices are external to the multi-segment device.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 40, wherein the multi-segment device may be selected from the group including: a router; a bridging device; a switch; a repeater; and a multi-segment repeater.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
89 words
The system of claim 40, wherein the agent evaluates the appropriateness of assigning the link to the segment based on one or more conditions selected from the group including: the attached device is the preferred bridging device; further segments are available within the multi-segment device on which to place links attached to the given bridging device; and placing a link on a given segment will not create a bridging or repeating loop in the attached topology; and this is the first instance of consideration for the attached repeating device.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
80 words
The system of claim 40, wherein the agent disables the link from the segment when a predetermined condition is met, the conditions being selected from the group including: there are no more available segments in the multi-segment device to which links attached to the given bridging device may be assigned without creating a loop; and a link to the attached repeating device has already been configured, thus any additional links to said repeating device must be disabled to prevent looping.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 40, wherein the agent is embedded in and integrated with the multi-segment device.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 40, wherein the agent is remotely connected to the multi-segment device via an out-of-band hardware control connection.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 40 wherein the reconfiguration of the NCT may be triggered by manual or automatic means.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for reconfiguring a multi-segment device of a network communications topology ("NCT"), the device having a plurality of links and at least one segment, the method comprising: evaluating the NCT for bridging and repeating devices residing external to the multi-segment device; and reconfiguring the multi-segment device using the NCT evaluation by: assigning a link of the plurality of links to a segment of the at least one segment or disabling a link of the plurality of links from a segment of the at least one segment.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for reconfiguring a multi-segment device of a network communications topology ("NCT"), the device having a plurality of links and at least one segment, the method comprising: evaluating the NCT for bridging and repeating devices residing external to the multi-segment device; and reconfiguring the multi-segment device using the NCT evaluation by: assigning a link of the plurality of links to a segment of the at least one segment or disabling a link of the plurality of links from a segment of the at least one segment.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 53, wherein the reconfiguration of the multi-segment device is such that the external bridging and repeating devices operate without looping.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 53, wherein the reconfiguration of the NCT is such that the reconfiguration maximizes the number of available segments that can be bridged by the external bridging device without looping.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 53, wherein the steps of assigning or disabling a link of the NCT to reconfigure the NCT may create redundant connections to the external bridging and repeating devices.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 56, further including the step of monitoring the active links of the redundant connections of the reconfigured NCT for link failure.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 57, further including the step of managing the redundant connections such that when a monitored link fails the step of reconfiguring occurs again to activate an appropriate redundant connection to replace the failed link.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
110 words
A network management system for reconfiguring a network communications topology having bridging and repeating devices, the system comprising: a multi-segment element having a plurality of links and at least one segment; a network evaluation component that evaluates the bridging or repeating devices of the network communications topology for configuration conditions and determines a link assignment or link disablement action; and a network control element that either assigns a link of the plurality of links to a segment of the at least one segment or disables a link of the plurality of links from a segment of the at least one segment based on the determination of the network evaluation component.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
110 words
A network management system for reconfiguring a network communications topology having bridging and repeating devices, the system comprising: a multi-segment element having a plurality of links and at least one segment; a network evaluation component that evaluates the bridging or repeating devices of the network communications topology for configuration conditions and determines a link assignment or link disablement action; and a network control element that either assigns a link of the plurality of links to a segment of the at least one segment or disables a link of the plurality of links from a segment of the at least one segment based on the determination of the network evaluation component.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
91 words
The system of claim 59, wherein the determination for a link assignment by the network evaluation component occurs due to one or more of the following conditions selected from the group including: the attached device is the preferred bridging device; further segments are available within the multi-segment device on which to place links attached to the given bridging device; placing a link on a given segment will not create a bridging or repeating loop in the attached topology; and this is the first instance of consideration for the attached repeating device.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
84 words
The system of claim 59, wherein the determination for a link disablement by the network evaluation component occurs due to one or more of the following conditions selected from the group including: there are no more available segments in the multi-segment device to which links attached to the given bridging device may be assigned without creating a loop; and a link to the attached repeating device has already been configured, thus any additional links to said repeating device must be disabled to prevent looping.
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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) | 2003-10-03 | 2004-04-03 | 2004-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-03 | 2008-04-03 | 2008-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-03 | 2012-04-03 | 2012-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |