Patent ID: 6092214
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method of managing a computer network, comprising:providing a stacked repeater having a plurality of network management modules linked by a management bus;selecting a provisional master module from among the plurality of management modules based a module's position in the repeater stack, said master module being configured to perform network management functions;provisionally designating the remainder of the modules as slaves, said slaves being configured to not perform network management functions;polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria;evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll;selecting the proper master to perform network management functions based on the poll data;designating the remainder of the modules as slaves; andmaintaining the same configuration between the master and the slave modules;wherein the network management functions may be transferred from the proper master to one of the slave modules without substantial disruption of network services.