Inter-networking devices for use with physical layer information

US8982715B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ADC Telecommunications, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Mohammad H. Raza · San Jose, US
• Kamlesh G. Patel · Chanhassen, US
• John P. Anderson · Eden Prairie, US
• Joseph C. Coffey · Burnsville, US
• Michael Day · American Fork, US
• Hutch Coburn · Eden Prairie, US
• David Stone · Irvine, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 12, 2010
• Grant date: Mar 17, 2015
• Expiry date: Feb 19, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L67/51
• WIPO field: Digital communication
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

One exemplary embodiment is directed to an inter-networking device that performs at least one inter-networking function using physical layer information about the network of which the device is a part. Another exemplary embodiment is directed to capturing physical layer information about physical communication media that is attached to an inter-networking device. Another exemplary embodiment is directed to a technique for generating a spanning tree and/or forwarding database information for a plurality of switches in a network at a central location. The spanning tree and/or forwarding database information is generated at the central location using information including physical layer information about devices and physical communication media in the network. Another exemplary embodiment is directed to an ETHERNET physical layer device having integrated support for capturing physical layer information about the physical communication media connected to the ETHERNET physical layer device.