Ethernet interface module

摘要

An Ethernet interface module comprises a duplex port operable to transfer frames between said Ethernet network and a device and a path coupling a receive portion of the duplex port to a transmit portion of said first full duplex port. A queue is disposed in said first path. Evaluation apparatus is coupled to the queue and determines whether a received frame is addressed to said Ethernet interface module and whether a frame type field contains a frame type. The Ethernet interface module is operable in a first mode such that every said received frame is echoed back out the full duplex port; and is operable in a second mode such that each received frame that meets predetermined evaluation criteria is echoed back out the duplex port and those received frames that do not meet the predetermined evaluation criteria are discarded.

主权项

1. An Ethernet hardware interface module configured to couple a device to an Ethernet network, said Ethernet hardware interface module comprising:
a first full duplex port comprising a receive portion and a transmit portion; said first full duplex port transfers frames between said Ethernet network and said device; each received frame comprises a frame type field to identify a frame type and a command field utilized to provide a command to said device; a first path coupling said receive portion of said first duplex port to said transmit portion of said first full duplex port; a hardware queue disposed in said first path; evaluation apparatus coupled to said queue, said evaluation apparatus determining whether a received frame is addressed to said Ethernet hardware interface module and determining whether said frame type field contains a frame type; said Ethernet hardware interface module operates in a first mode such that every said received frame is echoed back out said first full duplex port; said Ethernet hardware interface module operates in a second mode such that each said received frame that meets predetermined evaluation criteria is echoed back out said first full duplex port and those said received frames that do not meet said predetermined evaluation criteria are discarded; said Ethernet hardware interface module comprises a unique identification key associated therewith; said received frame comprises a sequence identification field and a security field, said sequence identification field comprises a sequence identification and said security field comprises an encrypted hash value for first data contained in one of said associated data fields; said encrypted hash value is computed over said sequence identification and said first data utilizing said unique identification key.