Method and apparatus for automatically loading device status information into a network device
US6678728B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D30/50
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatically loading device status information into a network device. One embodiment comprises an apparatus in a network device, wherein the network device enters a sleep state under particular conditions. In one embodiment, the apparatus is for communicating with other devices on the network and comprises control circuitry that controls communication between the network device and the other devices on the network. The apparatus further comprises a memory device that stores configuration data for the control circuitry, wherein at least a portion of the configuration data is loaded into the control circuitry upon initialization of the network device. The apparatus further comprises a buffer that stores keep-alive data that is transmitted to a plurality of the other devices in the network to refresh the presence of the network device in the network, wherein the keep-alive data is loaded into the buffer from the memory device upon initialization of the network device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.