System and method for implementing and/or operating network interface devices to achieve network-based communications
US8112769B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 2007 |
| Grant date | Feb 7, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4411
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer system, and related components including network interface devices, as well as methods for implementing and/or operating network interface devices to achieve network-based communications, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the computer system includes a network interface device, and a bus driver in communication with the network interface device. The bus driver has access to a plurality of driver programs, and the bus driver is capable of causing an installation of one such driver program on the network interface device. Also, in at least some embodiments, the bus driver facilitates communications between multiple network interface devices and an operating system of the computer system, and/or between the network interface devices and user mode applications implementing graphical user interfaces. Further, in at least some embodiments, the bus driver governs operation of the network interface devices, for example, in relation to power management and/or interrupt handling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.