| 摘要 |
Provided is a redundant network management system. Several network management modules (NMMs), preferably one for each repeater unit, are provided in a single repeater stack. The NMMs of the repeater stack communicate using a management bus. The modules communicate on the management bus by sending small messages, referred to as "frames." In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is preferably used in conjunction with a relatively simple and economical 8-bit management bus. This low cost implementation allows only one NMM to access the bus at any given time, and makes use of protocols by which multiple NMMs may use the management bus to communicate while ensuring that no two modules attempt to use the bus at the same time. Moreover, according to the present invention, only one NMM (referred to as the "master") will perform all of the network management functions for the stack at any one time. The remaining modules operate in "slave" mode. When in slave mode, the modules are on stand-by, ready to take the role of master if necessary. This master/slave relationship provides a level of fault tolerance and redundancy to the user in a seamless manner, thereby improving network performance and reliability.
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