Apparatus and method for providing multiple network port configurations

摘要

3.A system controls the configuration of a Token Ring network port having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The system includes a mode selector having a first state associated with the first mode of operation and a second state associated with the second mode of operation. A switching device is coupled to the mode selector and the network port. The switching device has a first configuration associated with the first mode of operation and a second configuration associated with the second mode of operation. The network port may include multiple signal wires that are coupled in different configurations by the switching device based on the switching device configuration. Additionally, the switching device may be coupled to receive a phantom current in the first configuration and coupled to transmit a phantom current in the second configuration. A detector can be coupled to the switching device to detect a phantom current in the first mode of operation.