Networking device with automatic polarity coupling and method there for

Automatic configuration of excellent network device and method thereof

<p>10. . .Network interface card</p><p>12. . .Output</p><p>14. . .Receiving end</p><p>20. . .Network interface card</p><p>twenty two. . .Receiving end</p><p>twenty four. . .Output</p><p>30. . .Web interface</p><p>32. . .Signal detector</p><p>34. . .Random number generator</p><p>36. . .Polarity Configurator</p>

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of connecting the network interface card of the media slave interface (MDI) to the hub interface card;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a network connection interface device with automatic configuration polarity according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a preferred embodiment of the state machine diagram of the present invention.

Background of the invention:

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a network device and method for automatically configuring polarity, and more particularly, to a network device for automatically configuring polarity that is commonly used in 10Base-T, 100Base-T, and 1000Base-T. And its methods.

2. Description of the know-how: In the local area network (LAN), so-called parallel lines or interlaced lines are generally used to connect many network devices, such as hubs, switches, network cards, etc. .

As shown in Figure 1, when two Network Interface Cards (NIC) 10 and 20 are docked, an interleaved cable must be used to make the transmitting end 12 and receiving end 14 of one of the network interface cards correct respectively. Connect to the transmitting end 22 and receiving end 24 of another network interface card to form a network connection. On the other hand, if a network interface card is to be correctly connected to a switch, a parallel line is required to make the connection polarity correct. It is very troublesome for the user to choose the correct cable set so that the polarity of the network equipment can be correctly connected.

Therefore, if the two network devices in the local network need to be connected in a cross way, that is, when the polarity of the transmission line group and the reception line group need to be swapped, manual "MDIX" switching is generally used, which is to use an installed switch To achieve the purpose of manual switching.

If the interface transmission rates of the two network devices are different, such as 10BASE-T (10MHz), 100BASE-T (100MHz), and 1000BASE-T (GHz) and other different interface transmission rates, the conventional technology cannot be used to achieve automatic connection. Purpose of polarity configuration.

In addition, the Auto-negotiation function provides the best working status among different network devices when connected, including full-duplex, half-duplex, different speeds, etc. However, if the network device is connected incorrectly, the mechanism of the automatic coordination function will not work.

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a universal network connection interface device and method for automatically configuring polarity to solve the above problems.

Summary of the invention:

The invention discloses a network device with automatically configured polarity for transmitting and receiving network information. The network device may be a switch or a hub. The network device includes a complex-order random number generator for generating a plurality of Random numbers; multiple ports are used to connect to multiple network lines, each port contains a signal detector to detect whether there is a signal on the corresponding connected network line, such as Normal Link Pulse ) Or a fast link pulse (Fast Link Pulse); and a polarity configurator coupled to the signal detector and the random number generator for responding to the detection of the signal detector on the corresponding network line When less than the signal, it is used to selectively change the connection polarity of one of the ports according to one of the plurality of random numbers generated by the random number generator. The signal detector further includes a status timer to count a first time to determine the connection polarity of the network line, and a second time to wait for one of the ports to automatically coordinate; and the first The time is preferably 62 milliseconds, and the second time is preferably 1.8 seconds. The network device can support 10Base-T, 100Base-T, 1000Base-T and automatic coordination functions at the same time.

The invention also discloses a method for automatically configuring polarity, comprising the steps of: entering a test MDI mode or a test MDIX mode; detecting whether a signal is received within a first time; if the signal is not received within the first time, Selectively stay in the test MDI mode or the test MDIX mode according to a random random number; and if a signal is received or a link is formed within the first time, a corresponding one is entered according to the current mode The stable mode stays for at least a second time; after entering the stable mode correspondingly, if the signal is continuously received or there is a link, it stays in the stable mode continuously.

In order to have a better understanding and understanding of the structural features and achieved effects of the present invention, I would like to refer to the preferred embodiment diagrams and detailed descriptions, as described below:

Explanation of main component symbols

10. . .Network interface card

12. . .Output

14. . .Receiving end

20. . .Network interface card

twenty two. . .Receiving end

twenty four. . .Output

30. . .Web interface

32. . .Signal detector

34. . .Random number generator

36. . .Polarity Configurator

Specific embodiments are described in detail:

Generally speaking, a network device, such as a switch or a hub, includes a plurality of ports, and each port has its network connection interface device.

Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a network connection interface device for automatically configuring polarity according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, it includes a network interface 30 for connecting a network line, such as RJ45, etc. Other network devices are used for data message transmission. Its output is connected to a signal detector 32 to detect the signal sent from the network and determine whether the data message is transmitted correctly. Further confirm its transmission rate, such as confirming that it is 100MHz or 10MHz, etc., and if it is detected that the transmission is correct, maintain the data transmission mode; otherwise, a random number generator 34 generates a random random number and outputs it To a polarity configurator 36, according to the random random number, selectively generate an action message to the network interface 30 to switch the connection polarity; that is, according to the random random number, decide to maintain the original transmission / receiving pin connection state, or Switch the configuration of the transmit / receive pins. Further, the operation of the present invention can be explained from the perspective of a state machine.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a preferred embodiment of the state machine of the present invention. The general use of 10Base-T, 100 Base-T, 1000 Base-T, and automatic coordination mode is used as an example to explain: When resetting or powering on, the state machine enters block 40, which means that the state machine is in state S0, that is, in the state of testing MDI. At state S0, the timer of the state timer starts and stays in the loop 400. State S0 is at least a first predetermined time, preferably 62 milliseconds (this is the link time in accordance with IEEE802.3), to continuously check whether a data message has entered or to check whether a link signal is present, such as Normal Link Pulse or a Fast Link Pulse; if no data message is detected after the first predetermined time and no link occurs, follow a random number generator A random number is generated, and whether to stay in this state S0 or to go to another state Sl is determined according to the random number; otherwise, if the data message is detected to enter within the first predetermined time, or a link occurs , Which Suppose the system is connected to the correct polarity, i.e. MDI mode, it continues to block 42a such that the state machine 42, i.e. into the state S2 through direction indicates that the system is in the steady state is connected MDI.

In the state S2, stay in the state S2 for at least a second predetermined time, preferably 1.8 seconds (this is the time required for the automatic coordination mechanism), if data information continues to enter within the second predetermined time, or If a link occurs, it indicates that the system is in a stable state of this MDI connection, and everything is working normally, and it stays in this state S2 through the loop 420, and repeats these tests.

On the other hand, if in the state S2, no data message is detected for more than the second predetermined time, and no link occurs, then the state S0 is returned via the direction 40a; the occurrence of this situation may be that the connection is subject to Link down manually, the other party changes equipment, or the other party does not transmit data for a period of time ... and so on.

In the foregoing state S0, it was mentioned that random numbers are generated according to the random number generator, and whether to stay in this state S0 or to go to another state S1 is determined according to the random number; the intention of using the random number mechanism can avoid both ends All of them have this universal MDIIXMDIX function, which constantly changes state at the same time (Toggle), but just can't see each other, which makes it impossible to form a link. According to the random number, it is decided to make the state machine enter block 46, that is, enter state S1, which means that it is in the state of testing MDIX. In state S1, restart the timer of the state timer, and stay in state S1 at least first via loop 460 The predetermined time is preferably 62 milliseconds (this is the link time in accordance with IEEE802.3) to continuously check whether a data message has entered or a link has occurred. If the first predetermined time is not detected, When a data message enters and there is no link signal, a random number is generated by the random number generator, and whether to stay in this state S1 or return to state S0 is determined according to the random number; otherwise, if the first predetermined time In this case, if a data message is detected, or a link is formed, it indicates that the connection polarity assumed by the system is correct, that is, the MDIX mode. Therefore, the state machine enters block 44 through direction 46a, that is, it enters state S3, indicating that the system is in a stable MDIX connection Of the state.

In the state S3, stay in the state S3 for at least a second predetermined time, preferably 1.8 seconds. If data information continues to be entered or a link occurs within the second predetermined time, it indicates that the system is in this MDIX connection stable. This state, and everything works normally, and stays in this state S3 via the loop 440, and repeats these detections.

On the other hand, if in the state S3, no data message is detected for more than the second predetermined time, and no link occurs, then the state S1 is returned via the direction 44a; the occurrence of this situation may be the connection is interrupted There are many possibilities, such as being offline, changing equipment, or not transmitting data for a long time ...

Among them, the aforementioned random number generator can be, for example, a thirteenth-order random number generator, and its thirteen nodes can be used to generate a sufficiently random number source. For a switch or hub designed with a plurality of ports, the present implementation The invention is very convenient. If the switch has ten ports, ten nodes in the thirteenth-order random number generator can be used to generate random numbers, that is, from the hardware level, only one random number generator is needed. Can provide the use of multiple ports.

The invention discloses a network device with automatically configured polarity for transmitting and receiving network information. The network device may be a switch or a hub. The network device includes a complex-order random number generator for generating a plurality of Random numbers; multiple ports are used to connect to multiple network lines, each port contains a signal detector to detect whether there is a signal on the corresponding connected network line, such as Normal Link Pulse ) Or a fast link pulse (Fast Link Pulse); and a polarity configurator coupled to the signal detector and the random number generator for responding to the detection of the signal detector on the corresponding network line When less than the signal, one of the plurality of random numbers generated by the random number generator is used to selectively change the connection polarity of one of the ports. The signal detector further includes a status timer to count a first time to determine the connection polarity of the network line, and a second time to wait for one of the ports to automatically coordinate; and the first The time is preferably 62 milliseconds, and the second time is preferably 1.8 seconds. The network device can support 10Base-T, 100Base-T, 1000Base-T and automatic coordination functions at the same time.

The invention also discloses a method for automatically configuring the polarity, comprising the steps of: entering a test MDI mode or a test MDIX mode; at a first time

To detect whether a signal is received; if no signal is received within the first time, selectively staying in the test MDI mode or the test MDIX mode according to a random random number; and if a signal is received in the first time Or form a link, then enter a stable mode corresponding to the current mode, and stay at least for a second time; after entering the stable mode accordingly, if the signal is continuously received or there is a link, then Stay in this stable mode. The corresponding step of entering the stable mode, if the current mode is in the test MDI mode, enter an MDI stable mode; and if the current mode is in the test MDIX mode, enter the MDIX stable mode. In the corresponding step of entering the stable mode, if no signal is received for more than a predetermined time, the test enters the test MDI mode or the test MDIX mode again.

However, the above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of implementation of the present invention. For example, changes in shape, structure, characteristics, and spirit according to the scope of the patent application for the present invention are equivalent. Modifications shall all be included in the scope of patent application of the present invention.

Schematic illustration

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of connecting the network interface card of the media slave interface (MDI) to the hub interface card;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a network connection interface device with automatic configuration polarity according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a preferred embodiment of the state machine diagram of the present invention.