Multiplexed Packet Local Area Networking Using an Ethernet Physical Layer Device

摘要

Multiplexed packet local area networking using an Ethernet physical layer device. In one embodiment, a network device having dual port Ethernet physical layer devices can be configured to receive a packet on a first Ethernet port. The network device can extract first packet data that is destined for the network device from the data section of the packet and insert second packet data that is destined for the gateway node into the packet to produce a modified packet. The modified packet is then transmitted by the network device over a second Ethernet port.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
receiving, at a first Ethernet port of a first of a plurality of network devices in a local area network, a packet having a preamble, a start frame delimiter field, and a data section, the data section having multiplexed therein a plurality of packet data that are respectively destined for the plurality of network devices from a gateway node; extracting, by the first network device from the packet, first packet data that is destined for the first network device from the data section of the packet; inserting, by the first network device into the packet, second packet data that is destined for the gateway node, the inserting producing a modified packet, wherein the second packet data is inserted at one or more locations in the data section of the packet that were previously occupied by the extracted first packet data; and transmitting, by a second Ethernet port of the first network device, the modified packet onto the local area network.