Patent ID: 6754730
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
An intelligent apparatus comprising:a master including a user input/output (I/O) interface, a first central processing unit (CPU), a first control circuit and a plurality of switches including first and second switches with the first switch coupled between the first control circuit and the user I/O interface, the second switch coupled to the user I/O interface, and the first CPU coupled to the first switch, the second switch and the first control circuit respectively, so that the first CPU is operative to receive or send packets or signals through the first control circuit and open or close the first and the second switches; and a plurality of slave modules each including a second CPU, a second control circuit, and at least one third switch with the third switch coupled between the second control circuit and the second switch, and the second CPU coupled to the third switch and the second control circuit respectively, so that the second CPU of each slave module is operative to receive or send packets or signals through the second control circuit and open or close the third switch; wherein when the master detects that a network monitoring device is coupled to the user I/O interface for performing a network monitoring and management, a system configuration, or a debugging with respect to one of the modules, the CPUs are operative to connect or disconnect the switches for transferring an access right of the user I/O interface to the one of the modules and enabling the one of the modules to receive signals sent from the user I/O interface, thereby sharing the user I/O interface among the plurality of modules.