WO1998028883B1 - Network including multi-protocol cross-connect switch - Google Patents
Network including multi-protocol cross-connect switchInfo
- Publication number
- WO1998028883B1 WO1998028883B1 PCT/CA1997/000985 CA9700985W WO9828883B1 WO 1998028883 B1 WO1998028883 B1 WO 1998028883B1 CA 9700985 W CA9700985 W CA 9700985W WO 9828883 B1 WO9828883 B1 WO 9828883B1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- input
- port
- interconnection apparatus
- output
- block
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims abstract 5
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims abstract 4
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 abstract 1
Abstract
The present invention relates to a cross-connect switch which allows different protocols to be used. The switch is made up of two cross point modules, one for transmission and one for reception. I/O blocks corresponding to each station or network interface are connected to the cross point modules. Each I/O block includes four differential pairs. The I/O block permits selective activation for transmission or reception of any of the four pairs. In addition, half duplex control logic is used to implement protocols using a single differential pair for both transmission and reception. Also a token ring interface is included on the I/O blocks in order to allow detection and generation of phantom DC currents necessary for operation with token rings.
Claims
AMENDED CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 19 June 1998 (19.06.98); original claims 1-32 replaced by new claims 1-33 (6 pages)]
1. A computer network including a plurality of devices each having a local area network interface which can cornrnunicate digitally with another one of the plurality of devices using one of a plurality of protocols, flirough one of a plurality of local area network hubs, the computer network CHARACTERIZED BY: a multi-protocol cross-connect switch having a plurality of input/output blocks, each of whose configuration can be changed by a configuration signal from communicating using one of the plurality of protocols to communicating using another of the plurality of protocols, the switch automatically providing a signal path between one of the plurality of devices and one of the local area network hubs responsive to a command signal; a plurality of multi-protocol data transmission cables connecting the local area network interface of each device to an input output block; and a central management controller having an output connected to the switch, the output carrying the configuration signal and the command signal.
2. The network as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cross-connect switch includes a plurality of input/output blocks.
3. The network as claimed in claiai 2, wherein said input/output blocks have a plurality of different protocol configurations settable by said central management controller.
4. The network as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein said switch is an analog switch.
5. A network interconnection apparatus comprising: a multi-protocol cross-connect switch having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, wherein the cross-connect switch can selectively connect inputs to outputs; and a plurality of input/output blocks which can be configured to communicate using any one of a plurality of protocols, the input/output blocks connected to the inputs and outputs of the switch.
6. The network interconnection apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein each input/output block comprises: a block output connected to one of the inputs of the cross connect module; a block input connected to one of the outputs of the cross connect module; at least one port connected to a corresponding device in the network; and a connection circuit for selectively connecting the block output and block input to the at least one port.
7. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one port includes at least three ports, and wherein the connection circuit selectively connects one of the at least three ports to the block input, and another one of the at least three ports to the block output.
8. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a control circuit, and wherein the connection circuit selectively connects the at least one port and the block input and block output based upon input signals from the control circuit.
9. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 8, wherein the inputs and outputs of the cross connect module arc selectively connected based upon a signal from the control circuit.
10. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 6, wherein the connection circuit includes a bi-directional switch matrix.
11. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the input output blocks further includes: a termination module for selectively terminating the at least one port into an appropriate impedance.
12. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the termination module selectively terminates the at least one port when the at least one port is connected to the block output.
13. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the input/output blocks further includes: at least one compensation amplifier, connected between the at least one port and one of the block input and block output, to account for signal attenuation.
14. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 6, wherein the input output blocks include signal connection circuitry required by each of a plurality of communication protocols.
15. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 6, wherein the input/output block further includes half duplex control circuitry for selectively connecting a single port to the block input and block output to provide bi-directional communication through the single port.
16. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the half duplex control circuitry includes: a line monitor for monitoring the block input to detect a signal received from the cross connect module; a switch for connecting the block input to the single port when a signal is detected by the line monitor; and a switch for connecting the block output to the single port when a signal is not detected.
i 7. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 16, wherein the half duplex control circuitry includes a termination connector for connecting the single port to a termination impedance when the signal is not detected.
18. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 16, wherein the half duplex control circuitry includes a second line monitor for monitoring the single port to detect a signal received from the single port.
1 . The network interconnection apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one port on each of two input output blocks connected through the cross connect module includes two ports, and the apparatus further comprises:
a phantom current detector connected to one of the ports of one of the input/output blocks for detecting a first phantom current; a phantom current generator connected to one of the ports of the other of Hie input/output blocks for generating a second phantom current when the first phantom current is detected.
20. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: means for transmitting detection of the first phantom current from the one input output block to the other input output block through the cross connect module.
21. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: means for detecting a line fault on the port of the one input/output block; and means for simulating a line fault on the port of the other input/output block.
22. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cross connect module includes a plurality of analog cross connect switches.
23. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 22, wherein each of the input output blocks includes at least one A/D converter connected to the at least one port.
24. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cross connect module includes a plurality digital routing switches.
25. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 24, wherein each of the input/output blocks includes at least one A/D converter and at least one D/A converter connected to the at least one port.
26. The network interconnection apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein each input/output block includes: at least one port for transmitting signals from the cross connect module and receiving signals to be transferred to the cross connect module; and a protocol operation circuit, receiving a protocol selection signal indicating one of a plurality of protocols, for transmitting and receiving signals through the at least one port
according to the protocol indicated by the protocol selection signal.
27. The network interconnection apparatus of cl aim 26, wherein the protocol operation circuit includes a termination circuit for selectively terminating the at least one port based upon the protocol selection signal.
28. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 26, the at least one port includes a plm-ality of ports, and wherein the protocol operation circuit includes port selection circuits for selecting at least one of the plurality of ports for receiving signals and transmitting signals.
29. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 26, wherein the protocol operation circuit includes means for selectively transmitting signals and receiving signals through a single port at different times.
30. The network interconnection apparatus of claim 26, wherein the protocol operating circuit includes: a phantom current detection circuit for detecting a phantom current based upon the protocol selection signal and generating a phantom current detection signal; and a phantom current generator circuit for generating a phantom current based upon a protocol selection signal and a phantom current detection signal.
31. A method of configuring and managing a computer network, comprising steps of: connecting at least one computing device through a multi-protocol cable to a multi-protocol cross-connect switch; connecting a least one local area network hub through a multi-protocol cable to the switch; changing a protocol used by the switch to communicate with the computing device or the local area network hub from an unselected one of a plurality of protocols to a selected one of the plurality of protocols; and connecting the computing device to the local area network hub through the switch using the selected protocol.
32. The method of claim 31 , further comprising steps of: relocating a computing device to a new location; connecting the relocated computing device through another multi-protocol cable to the switch; and commanding the switch to reconnect the computing device to the local area network hub through the switch using the selected protocol.
33. The method as claimed in claim 31 , wherein said hubs are interconnected by at least one of a bridge and a router.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP97951029A EP0947076A1 (en) | 1996-12-23 | 1997-12-19 | Network including multi-protocol cross-connect switch |
| AU54725/98A AU5472598A (en) | 1996-12-23 | 1997-12-19 | Network including multi-protocol cross-connect switch |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/771,979 US6414953B1 (en) | 1996-12-23 | 1996-12-23 | Multi-protocol cross connect switch |
| US08/771,979 | 1996-12-23 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO1998028883A1 WO1998028883A1 (en) | 1998-07-02 |
| WO1998028883B1 true WO1998028883B1 (en) | 1998-08-06 |
Family
ID=25093529
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CA1997/000985 WO1998028883A1 (en) | 1996-12-23 | 1997-12-19 | Network including multi-protocol cross-connect switch |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6414953B1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0947076A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU5472598A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998028883A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (19)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6118776A (en) | 1997-02-18 | 2000-09-12 | Vixel Corporation | Methods and apparatus for fiber channel interconnection of private loop devices |
| US6185203B1 (en) | 1997-02-18 | 2001-02-06 | Vixel Corporation | Fibre channel switching fabric |
| US6865181B1 (en) * | 1999-03-22 | 2005-03-08 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Method and apparatus for routing telecommunications signals |
| US7924706B1 (en) | 1999-03-22 | 2011-04-12 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a flexible cross-connect system |
| US6621814B1 (en) * | 1999-10-08 | 2003-09-16 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method and apparatus for transmitting voice data in data packets with additional supplementary services |
| US6636528B1 (en) * | 1999-10-08 | 2003-10-21 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method for operating a switching device upon utilization of different signaling protocols and apparatus therefor |
| US6728807B1 (en) * | 2000-06-02 | 2004-04-27 | Intel Corporation | Using switch fabric blades in a modular network to connect port plates |
| US7035204B1 (en) | 2000-07-26 | 2006-04-25 | Cicso Technology, Inc. | Method and apparatus for rerouting telecommunications signals |
| IL151144A (en) * | 2002-08-08 | 2003-10-31 | Eci Telecom Ltd | Switching device for telecommunication networks |
| GB2400265A (en) * | 2003-03-31 | 2004-10-06 | Sony Uk Ltd | Routing data |
| US7505470B2 (en) * | 2003-11-19 | 2009-03-17 | Honeywell International Inc. | Clique aggregation in TDMA networks |
| US20050129037A1 (en) * | 2003-11-19 | 2005-06-16 | Honeywell International, Inc. | Ring interface unit |
| JP4523854B2 (en) * | 2005-02-23 | 2010-08-11 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Storage device having network interface |
| US7668084B2 (en) * | 2006-09-29 | 2010-02-23 | Honeywell International Inc. | Systems and methods for fault-tolerant high integrity data propagation using a half-duplex braided ring network |
| US7889683B2 (en) * | 2006-11-03 | 2011-02-15 | Honeywell International Inc. | Non-destructive media access resolution for asynchronous traffic in a half-duplex braided-ring |
| US7912094B2 (en) * | 2006-12-13 | 2011-03-22 | Honeywell International Inc. | Self-checking pair-based master/follower clock synchronization |
| US7656881B2 (en) * | 2006-12-13 | 2010-02-02 | Honeywell International Inc. | Methods for expedited start-up and clique aggregation using self-checking node pairs on a ring network |
| US7778159B2 (en) * | 2007-09-27 | 2010-08-17 | Honeywell International Inc. | High-integrity self-test in a network having a braided-ring topology |
| TWI447546B (en) * | 2011-08-17 | 2014-08-01 | Ecolumina Technologies Inc | Multi-protocol power switch control network |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2079703A6 (en) * | 1970-02-10 | 1971-11-12 | Cit Alcatel | |
| US4057711A (en) * | 1976-03-17 | 1977-11-08 | Electronic Associates, Inc. | Analog switching system with fan-out |
| US4301475A (en) * | 1980-02-25 | 1981-11-17 | Vital Industries, Inc. | Combination digital-analog television switching system |
| US4539564A (en) * | 1982-08-04 | 1985-09-03 | Smithson G Ronald | Electronically controlled interconnection system |
| US4849977A (en) * | 1985-10-17 | 1989-07-18 | American Telephone And Telegraph Company At&T Bell Laboratories | D-5 Channel bank control structure and controller |
| US5274631A (en) | 1991-03-11 | 1993-12-28 | Kalpana, Inc. | Computer network switching system |
| TW223211B (en) | 1993-05-03 | 1994-05-01 | Whitaker Corp | Cable management system |
| GB2280573B (en) | 1993-07-31 | 1997-07-09 | Northern Telecom Ltd | Half duplex circuit for a local area network |
| GB2280826B (en) | 1993-08-05 | 1997-08-20 | Northern Telecom Ltd | Token ring |
| US5500753A (en) * | 1993-09-14 | 1996-03-19 | Alcatel Network Systems, Inc. | Method and system for connecting an optical network unit with a plurality of user sites |
| US5574722A (en) * | 1995-03-21 | 1996-11-12 | Bay Networks, Inc. | Protocol independent switch |
| GB2300330B (en) | 1995-04-28 | 1999-11-03 | Northern Telecom Ltd | Crosspoint matrix switch arrangement |
| DE19704615A1 (en) * | 1997-02-07 | 1998-08-13 | Basf Ag | Process for the hydrogenation of compounds from the group of the imines or enamines |
| US6510452B1 (en) * | 1998-08-21 | 2003-01-21 | Nortel Networks Limited | System and method for communications management with a network presence icon |
| US6192568B1 (en) * | 1999-03-11 | 2001-02-27 | Ethicon, Inc. | Method of making an intravenous catheter assembly |
-
1996
- 1996-12-23 US US08/771,979 patent/US6414953B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-12-19 AU AU54725/98A patent/AU5472598A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-12-19 EP EP97951029A patent/EP0947076A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-12-19 WO PCT/CA1997/000985 patent/WO1998028883A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
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