Patent ID: 6738843
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: H04L,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for generating packetized identification information used for mapping a node topology in a network, comprising the steps of:initiating a bus transaction over a serial bus carrying data packets, said data packets including self-ID packets that are utilized by each node for self-identifying itself on said network; generating a plurality of first self-ID packets by one physical layer (PHY) chip associated with a plurality of nodes on said serial bus and providing a multiple self-ID generating I/O circuit that is in communication with a port of the one PHY chip, wherein the multiple self-ID generating I/O circuit generates a plurality of second self-ID packets associated with a plurality of virtual nodes during a self-ID process; and, transmitting said first self-ID packets and said second self-ID packets over said serial bus via the one PHY chip to identify themselves to other remaining nodes in said network.