Patent ID: 7391719
Filing Date: 2008-06-24
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A communications network comprising: a primary Ethernet network; an alternate Ethernet network, wherein said primary Ethernet network is independent from said alternate Ethernet network, and wherein said primary Ethernet network is not connected to said alternate Ethernet network; and a network switch comprising a central processing unit internal to said network switch, wherein said central processing unit is directly connected to said primary Ethernet network and said alternate Ethernet network, wherein said central processing unit is configured to prevent communications between said primary Ethernet network and said alternate Ethernet network, wherein said central processing unit comprises an embedded microprocessor, wherein said primary Ethernet Network is configured to be connected to at least one local network device through said embedded microprocessor, wherein said alternate Ethernet network is configured to be connected to said at least one local network device through said embedded microprocessor, wherein said at least one local network device is not located within said primary Ethernet network or said alternate Ethernet network, wherein said embedded microprocessor comprises a configuration chart internal to said embedded microprocessor, wherein configuration chart comprises connection rules associated with said primary Ethernet network and said alternate Ethernet network, wherein said configuration chart comprises a primary connection and an optional secondary connection for said at least one local network device, wherein said configuration chart comprises an Internet protocol (IP) address or media access control (MAC) address of said at least one local network device, wherein said primary Ethernet network is configured to receive information from said at least one local network device and said network switch, wherein said alternate Ethernet network is configured to receive said information from said at least one local network device and said network switch, wherein said information is routed through said embedded microprocessor, wherein said network switch selectively enables communication between said primary Ethernet network and said at least one local network device or between said alternate Ethernet network and said at least one local network device, wherein said primary Ethernet network in combination with said central processing unit and said at least one local network device forms a first virtual local area network (VLAN), wherein said alternate Ethernet network in combination with said central processing unit and said at least one local network device forms a second VLAN, wherein said network switch does not enable communication between said primary Ethernet network and said alternate Ethernet network, wherein said microprocessor is configured to send a test message to said at least one local network device in order to determine an operational status of said primary Ethernet network, wherein said communications network is configured to set a status bit in said microprocessor if said operational status indicates that said primary Ethernet network comprises a communication failure, wherein said central processing unit comprises configuration data within said configuration chart and a configuration switch internal to said central processing unit, and wherein the central processing unit in response to the configuration data and said status bit is configured to direct the internal configuration switch to switch from said first VLAN to said second VLAN, wherein said embedded microprocessor is configured to accept programming of polling characteristics for polling said at least one local network device, and wherein said polling characteristics consist of a frequency of polling of said at least one local network device, a number of times for sending said test message before reporting a failure, and a delay time for waiting for a response to said test message.