A data processing system. The data processing comprises a data bus subdivided into a plurality of independent data paths and a plurality of system components coupled to the data bus. Each system component monitors each independent data path of the data bus to determine whether that system components is to receive data transmitted via that independent data path. An allocation control circuit coupled to the system components allocates a transmission opportunity spanning multiple bus clock cycles t...

An apparatus and method for supporting multiple types and configurations of random access memory devices in a single dual in line memory module (DIMM) socket architecture is provided. Typically, this architecture allows a user to select either SDRAM or EDO to be located in the socket(s) without substantially altering the connectivity between circuit components. A switching arrangement, that can be either active switches or fixed circuit traces, is used to selectively interconnect various control...

A media independent interface (MII) is utilized on each processor card of a multi-processor card system in a carrier sense multiple access/collision detection (CSMA/CD) standard bus configuration to provide a data communications bus. This permits standard Media Access Control (MAC) devices to be used with the MII. The collision domain is implemented by having each active processor card using the data communications bus assert an analog signal on a single conductor of the back plane and sense its...

A method for storing a plurality of multimedia objects in a cache memory is described. First ones of the multimedia objects are written into the cache memory sequentially from the beginning of the cache memory in the order in which they are received. When a first memory amount from a most recently stored one of the first multimedia objects to the end of the cache memory is insufficient to accommodate a new multimedia object, the new multimedia object is written from the beginning of the cache me...

A mechanism for efficiently distributing multicast messages having group destination addresses to subscribing entities in a computer network. The network includes a plurality of virtual local area network (VLAN) designations among those entities and a multicast network device (MND) configured to generate at least one unique multicast (MVLAN) identifier (ID) for each group destination address. Each MVLAN ID encompasses all VLAN designations of the subscribing entities, except for the VLAN designa...

A data segmentation circuit is disclosed for use in DS3/STS-1 mapping. The data segmentation circuit uses a circular data buffer to store data for mapping. A recirculating barrel shifter is used for extracting data from within the buffer. A counter moves the barrel shifter window zero, one, five, or eight bits to align the barrel shifter output as necessary to extract a next datum for a next payload envelope location. Data stuffing is then performed. Control circuitry for providing throttling an...

A frame relay communications network consists of a number of interconnected nodes. The network nodes include segmentation and reassembly device for fragmenting variable length frames of user data into packets of a predefined length. A preferred embodiment uses ATM AAL5 segmentation and reassembly to construct cells. Header and trailer information is added to each of the cells for transport across the frame relay network.

A connector having ESD protection is disclosed having a housing, and a first and second set of connector contacts. First set of connector contacts provide discharge of static charge prior to the engagement of second set of connector contacts. Connector may be adapted to provide protection against static charge transfer in applications ranging from an RJ-45 connector realization to a PCB edge connector application.

An option request protocol allows dynamic negotiation of options between a host computer and a control unit of a computer network. The protocol is manifested as an exchange of novel control messages over a control link used to establish logical data links for communication between the host and control unit. The options negotiated by the control message exchange generally pertain to additional functions performed by the control unit or host, or additional parameters for communication over the dat...

A mechanism conveys information pertaining to transmission priority (TP) levels of inbound packets transmitted over a heterogeneous network from a switching node to a hybrid node of the network. The mechanism comprises a packet-recognizing filter having a format that is generated by the hybrid node and dynamically transmitted to the switching node over a predefined communication channel of the network. The filter enables the switching node to classify the inbound packets and assign them appropri...