Patent ID: 6366557
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
Adapted for communication with an input/output (I/O) device, a media access controller comprising;a first transceiver having a first receiver and a first transmitter, the first transceiver being configured to send and receive data from a destination port; a second transceiver having a second receiver and a second transmitter, the second transceiver being configured to send and receive data from the destination port; wherein said first transceiver and said second transceiver establish a first physical link and a second physical link with the destination port such that if one of said first physical link and said second physical link is active and a link interruption occurs said media access controller may switch to the other of said first physical link and said second physical link as a backup link; and a CPU interface for providing interrupts to at least one of the first receiver and the second receiver in response selectable status events including the link interruption and failure of the I/O device.