Patent ID: 7533194
Filing Date: 2009-05-12
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for providing a multimode port in a network device, the method comprising: setting a first mode on the multimode port, wherein the network device can perform serial communication on the multimode port by coupling an adapter to the multimode port, wherein the adapter transmits a ground reference signal to the multimode port in order to permit serial communication on the multimode port; said adapter comprising a first side including a first side transmit pin, a first side receive pin, and a first side ground pin; said adapter further comprising a second side including a second side transmit pin for transmitting data to the multimode port, a second side receive pin for receiving data from the multimode port, and a pair of second side ground pins for transmitting the ground reference signal to the multimode port; said first side transmit pin coupled to the second side transmit pin; said first side receive pin coupled to the second side receive pin; said first side ground pin coupled to the pair of second side ground pins; and setting a second mode on the multimode port, wherein the network device can perform network communication on the multimode port by decoupling the adapter from the multimode port In order to prevent the adapter from transmitting the ground reference signal to the multimode port, thus permitting network communication on the multimode port.