Expandable ethernet network repeater unit

摘要

A repeater includes two or more repeater units. Each repeater unit transmits signals to and receives signals from a bus; each repeater unit is also connected to a distributed network status indicator (DNSI). The DNSI responds to status signals from the connected repeater unit and other DNSIs to generate global network status signals. These global network status signals are transmitted to other DNSIs and in turn are transmitted to other repeater units. These global network status signals coordinate the repeater units to function as a single repeater according to the IEEE 802.3 Standard.