Patent Abstract:
An apparatus capable of communicating data with a second apparatus using one of multiple networks comprising first and second networks comprises a host specifying a preferred one of the multiple networks; a first physical layer device arranged to communicate the data over the first network, wherein the first physical layer device determines a first status of the first network; a second physical layer device arranged to communicate the data over the second network; a first media access controller to facilitate communication of the data from the host over the first network using a single media access controller address via the first physical layer device; and a second media access controller to facilitate communication of the data from the host over the second network using the single media access controller address via the second physical layer device; and a controller in communication with the first and second physical layer devices and the host to provide the first and second status to the host, wherein the host controls the controller to communicate the data using the first media access controller if the first network is the preferred one and the first status is available.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to data communications, and particularly to enabling a network interface to support multiple networks. 
     The rapid proliferation of networks is making multiple networks available to computer users. For example, a user of a portable computer in a corporate workplace may have access to a wired network and to a wireless network. The user will normally connect his computer to the wired network because wired networks offer higher data transfer speeds and better reliability than wireless networks. However, the user may occasionally connect his laptop computer to the wireless network to take advantage of its portability, for example, to remain connected to the corporate internet to check for incoming electronic mail messages during a long meeting where no wired network access is available. Unfortunately, conventional network interfaces make changing networks very inconvenient. 
       FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a network device  100  including a host  102  such as a laptop computer, a plurality of conventional network interfaces  104 A through  104 N, and a plurality of networks  106 A through  106 N. Host  102  includes one or more software applications  108  and a plurality of device drivers  110 A through  110 N. Applications  108  communicate over one of networks  106  using a device driver  110  and a network interface  104  such as a network interface card. An application is a high-level computer program, such as a Web browser. A device driver is a low-level computer program that allows an application to communicate with a device, such as a printer or network interface card. 
     Each network interface  104  includes a network interface controller  112 , a media access controller (MAC)  114 , a filter  116 , a physical layer device (PHY)  118 , and a programmable read-only-memory (PROM)  120 . A different MAC address is permanently assigned to each network interface during manufacture by programming a MAC address into PROM  120 . 
     Consider network interface  104 A. When network interface  104 A is powered, network interface controller  112 A retrieves the MAC address from PROM  120 A, and loads the MAC address into MAC  114 A. MAC  114 A uses this MAC address for sending data from host  102  to network  106 A by inserting the MAC address into the header of each frame of the data. Network interface  104 A uses filter  116 A to examine the header of each frame of data on the network, and transfers those frames having the MAC address of the network interface  104 A to the host  102 . Network interface  104 N operates in the same way, but with a different MAC address. Further, the PHY  118  of a network interface  104  is specifically designed to be used with one type of network. Thus a network interface  104  for a wired network will not work with a wireless network. Thus to be able to communicate with multiple networks, a computer must include a conventional network interface for each network. 
     In conventional designs, each network  106  has a separate device driver  110 , which is loaded by the operating system of host  102  when the operating system is started. When a user wants to change to a different network  106 , the user must select the new network, and then restart (that is, “reboot”) the operating system so the operating system can load the device driver  110  for the new network. This reboot process can take several minutes. In addition, rebooting the operating system requires that all of the active applications  108  first be closed. Thus in order to change networks and resume working at the same point, a user must save the data for all open applications, close all of the open applications, reboot the operating system, launch the applications that were closed, and load the data that was saved for each application. Clearly, this is a frustrating and time-consuming process. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatus capable of communicating data with a second apparatus using one of multiple networks comprising first and second networks. The apparatus comprises a host specifying a preferred one of the multiple networks; a first physical layer device arranged to communicate the data over the first network, wherein the first physical layer device determines a first status of the first network; a second physical layer device arranged to communicate the data over the second network; a first media access controller to facilitate communication of the data from the host over the first network using a single media access controller address via the first physical layer device; and a second media access controller to facilitate communication of the data from the host over the second network using the single media access controller address via the second physical layer device; and a controller in communication with the first and second physical layer devices and the host to provide the first and second status to the host, wherein the host controls the controller to communicate the data using the first media access controller if the first network is the preferred one and the first status is available. 
     Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The second physical layer device determines a second status of the second network; and the host controls the controller to communicate the data using the second media access controller if the first network is the preferred one and the first status is unavailable, and the second status is available. The host comprises one of a computer, printer, personal digital assistant, compact flash interface device, and network appliance. The first network is a wired network; and the second network is a wireless network. 
     In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatus capable of communicating data with a second apparatus using one of multiple networks. It comprises a host specifying a preference among the multiple networks; a plurality of physical layer devices each arranged to communicate the data over one of the multiple networks, and to determine a condition of the one of the multiple networks; a plurality of media access controllers each arranged to facilitate communication of the data from the host over one of the multiple networks via one of the physical layer devices, wherein all of the media access controllers use a single media access controller address; and a controller in communication with the plurality of physical layer devices and the host to provide the condition of the multiple networks to the host, wherein the host selects one of the media access controllers based on the preference among the multiple networks and the condition of the multiple networks, and controls the controller to communicate the data using the selected media access controller. 
     Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The host comprises one of a computer, printer, personal digital assistant, compact flash interface device, and network appliance. The condition of the multiple networks comprises at least one of link status, network throughput, network traffic load, network congestion, and received signal intensity. 
     In general, in one aspect, the invention features a network interface. It comprises a first physical layer device arranged to communicate data over a first network, wherein the first physical layer device determines a first status of the first network; a second physical layer device arranged to communicate the data over a second network; a first media access controller to facilitate communication of the data from a host over the first network using a single media access controller address via the first physical layer device; and a second media access controller to facilitate communication of the data from the host over the second network using the single media access controller address via the second physical layer device; and a controller in communication with the first and second physical layer devices and the host to provide the first and second status to the host, wherein the host controls the controller to communicate the data using the first media access controller if the first network is a preferred one and the first status is available. 
     Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The second physical layer device determines a second status of the second network; and the host controls the controller to communicate the data using the second media access controller if the first network is the preferred one and the first status is unavailable; and the second status is available. The host comprises one of a computer, printer, personal digital assistant, compact flash interface device, and network appliance. The first network is a wired network; and the second network is a wireless network. 
     In general, in one aspect, the invention features a network interface. It comprises first physical layer device means for communicating data over a first network, wherein the first physical layer device determines a first status of the first network; second physical layer device means for communicating the data over a second network; first media access controller means for facilitating communication of the data from a host over the first network using a single media access controller address via the first physical layer device means; second media access controller means for facilitating communication of the data from the host over the second network using the single media access controller address via the second physical layer device means; and controller means in communication with the first and second physical layer device means and the host to provide the first and second status to the host, wherein the host controls the controller means to communicate the data using the first media access controller means if the first network is a preferred one and the first status is available. 
     Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The second physical layer device determines a second status of the second network; and the host controls the controller means to communicate the data using the second media access controller means if the first network is the preferred one and the first status is unavailable; and the second status is available. The host comprises one of a computer, printer, personal digital assistant, compact flash interface device, and network appliance. The first network is a wired network; and the second network is a wireless network. 
     In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method, apparatus and computer-readable media for communicating data from a first network device to a second network device using one of multiple networks comprising first and second networks, It comprises determining a first status of the first network; determining a second status of the second network; determining a preferred one of the first and second networks; communicating the data to the second network device using a single media access controller address over the first network if the first network is the preferred one and the status of the first network is available; and communicating the data to the second network device using the single media access controller address over the second network if the first network is the preferred one and the status of the first network is unavailable and the status of the second network is available. 
     Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The host comprises one of a computer, printer, personal digital assistant, compact flash interface device, and network appliance. the first network is a wired network; and the second network is a wireless network. 
     In general, in one aspect, the invention features a network interface. It comprises a plurality of physical layer devices each arranged to communicate data over one of multiple networks, and to determine a condition of the one of the multiple networks; a plurality of media access controllers each arranged to facilitate communication of the data from the host over one of the multiple networks via one of the physical layer devices, wherein all of the media access controllers use a single media access controller address; and a controller in communication with the plurality of physical layer devices and the host to provide the condition of the multiple networks to the host, wherein the host selects one of the media access controllers based on the preference among the multiple networks and the condition of the multiple networks, and controls the controller to communicate the data using the selected media access controller. 
     Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The host comprises one of a computer, printer, personal digital assistant, compact flash interface device, and network appliance. The condition of the multiple networks comprises at least one of link status, network throughput, network traffic load, network congestion, and received signal intensity. 
     In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method and computer-readable media for enabling a host to communicate data with a network device using one of multiple networks comprising first and second networks. It comprises receiving an indication of a preferred one of the multiple networks; receiving, from a first network interface arranged to communicate the data over the first network using a single media access controller address and to determine a first status of the first network, the first status; receiving, from a second network interface arranged to communicate the data over the second network using the single media access controller address and to determine a second status of the second network, the second status; controlling the first network interface to communicate the data over the first network if the first network is the preferred one and the first status is available. 
     Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. Implementations comprise controlling the second network interface to communicate the data over the second network if the first network is the preferred one and the first status is unavailable, and the second status is available. The host comprises one of a computer, printer, personal digital assistant, compact flash interface device, and network appliance. The first network is a wired network; and the second network is a wireless network. 
     In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method and computer-readable media for enabling a host to communicate data with a network device using one of multiple networks. It comprises receiving a preference among the multiple networks; receiving, from a plurality of network interfaces each arranged to communicate the data over one of the multiple networks, and to determine a condition of the one of the multiple networks, a condition of each of the multiple networks, wherein all of the network interfaces use a single media access controller address; selecting one of the plurality of network interfaces based on the preference among the multiple networks and the condition of the multiple networks; and controlling the selected one of the plurality of network interfaces to communicate the data. 
     Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The host comprises one of a computer, printer, personal digital assistant, compact flash interface device, and network appliance. The condition of the multiple networks comprises at least one of link status, network throughput, network traffic load, network congestion, and received signal intensity. 
     Advantages that can be seen in implementations of the invention include one or more of the following. Implementations of the invention allow a host to communicate with multiple networks using a single MAC address, thereby conserving MAC addresses and reducing cost incurred through purchasing MAC addresses. Implementations of the invention allow a host to connect to multiple networks using a single network interface card, thereby conserving PC card slots and the costs of purchasing multiple network interface cards. Implementations of the invention allow a host to connect to multiple networks using a single device driver, thereby allowing the host to switch between networks without rebooting its operating system. 
     The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a network device including a host such as a laptop computer, a plurality of conventional network interfaces, and a plurality of networks. 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of a network device including a host, a network interface, and a plurality of networks, according to one implementation. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart depicting an operation of the network device of  FIG. 2  according to one implementation. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart depicting an operation of the network device of  FIG. 2  according to another implementation. 
     
    
    
     The leading digit(s) of each reference numeral used in this specification indicates the number of the drawing in which the reference numeral first appears. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of a network device  200  including a host  202 , a network interface  204 , and a plurality of networks  206 A through  206 N, according to one implementation. Host  202  can be a computer, printer, personal digital assistant (PDA), compact flash interface device, network appliance, or any other device capable of communicating with a network using a network interface  204 . Host  202  includes a plurality of software applications  208  and a single device driver  210 . Applications  208  communicate over one of networks  206  using a device driver  210  and a network interface  204 . 
     Network interface  204  includes a network interface controller  212 , a plurality of media access controllers (MAC)  214 A through  214 N, filters  216 A through  216 N, a plurality of physical layer devices (PHY)  218 A through  218 N, and a programmable read-only-memory (PROM)  220 . A different MAC address is permanently assigned to each network interface  204  during manufacture by programming a MAC address into PROM  220 . As is clear from  FIG. 2 , network interface  204  includes multiple PHYs  218 , each capable of communicating over a different network  206 . Each PHY  218  also communicates with a MAC  114 . 
     In network interface  204 , all of the MACs  214  use the same single MAC address. When network interface  204  is powered, network interface controller  212  retrieves the single MAC address from PROM  220 , and loads the single MAC address into all of the MACs  214 A through  214 N. Each MAC  214  uses this single MAC address for sending data from host  202  to one of the networks  206 , and for sending data from one of the networks  206  to host  202 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart depicting an operation of network device  200  according to one implementation. When network interface  204  is powered, each of its PHYs  218  determines the status of the network  206  to which it is connected (step  302 ). PHY  218  determines a status of available when a link has been established over its network  206  with another network device, such as a switch or the like, and determines a status of unavailable when no such link has been established. In a wireless network, PHY  218  determines that a link has been established when the PHY detects the presence of a beacon signal emitted by a base station or another network device within the wireless network, as is well-known in the relevant arts. 
     Each PHY  218  communicates the status of its network  206  to network interface controller  212 . Network interface controller  212  communicates the status of each network  206  to host  202  (step  304 ). 
     Host  202  determines a preference among the networks  206  (step  306 ). More specifically, device driver  210  within host  202  determines a preference among the networks  206 . In one implementation, device driver  210  obtains the preference by prompting the user to select one of the networks  206 . In another implementation, device driver  210  obtains the preference from a default setting or a setting previously established by a user. The preference can indicate one preferred network, or can indicate any number of preferred networks, in order of preference. In one implementation, a wired network is preferred over a wireless network by default. 
     Host  202  selects one of the networks  206  (step  308 ). More specifically, device driver  210  within host  202  selects one of the networks  206 . In one implementation, device driver  210  selects one of the networks  206  based on the preference and the status of the networks. Device driver  210  selects the network  206  indicated by the preference if the status of that network is available. But if the status of that network  206  is unavailable, device driver  210  attempts to select another of the networks. If multiple preferred networks  206  are specified in order of preference, device driver  210  checks each in order of preference, and selects the most preferred network having an available status. If none of the preferred networks have an available status, device driver  210  attempts to select a network  206  that is not preferred, if any. 
     Host  202  communicates the selection to network interface  204  (step  310 ). Network interface controller  212  receives the selection, and activates the path within the network interface  204  that serves the selected network  206  (step  312 ). The selected path includes the PHY  218  that is connected to the selected network  206  and the MAC  214  that communicates with that PHY. 
     Network interface controller  212  activates a path within network interface  204  according to the following method. Network interface controller  212  includes a control register that includes a bit for each MAC  214 . Each bit in the control register controls the corresponding MAC  214  to one of two states: active or standby. Network interface controller  212  activates a path by setting the bit for the MAC  214  in that path to control that MAC to the active state. Each MAC  214  controls the state of the PHY  218  in its path. When a MAC  214  is in the active state, it controls the PHY  218  in its path to the active state. When a MAC  214  is in the standby state, it controls the PHY  218  in its path to the standby state. When a MAC  214  and PHY  218  are in the active state, they communicate with the network connected to the PHY. When a MAC  214  and PHY  218  are in the standby state, they do not communicate with the network connected to the PHY. 
     The network interface  204  then communicates data to and from host  202  over the selected network  206  using the single MAC address loaded into all of the MACs  214  from PROM  220  (step  314 ). Network interface  204  sends data to the selected network  206  by inserting the MAC address into the header of each frame of the data. Network interface  204  uses filter  216  to examine the header of each frame of data on the selected network, and transfers those frames having the single MAC address of the network interface  204  to the host  202 . 
     Different media can have different frame structures. In particular, the location of the destination address within the frame can differ for different media. Each filter  216  includes a filter table that tells the corresponding PHY  218  where to find the destination address in the frame for the medium that constitutes the network connected to that PHY. In particular, the filter table usually specifies the offset in bits of the destination address from the start of the frame. In other implementations, filters  216  are implemented together as a single filter having a filter table containing the offsets for each type of media supported by the network interface  204 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart depicting an operation of network device  200  according to another implementation. When network interface  204  is powered, each of its PHYs  218  determines the condition of the network  206  to which it is connected (step  402 ). The condition of the network can include one or more measurements, including link status, network throughput, network traffic load, network congestion, received signal intensity, and the like. 
     Link status is a binary value that indicates the presence or absence of the network. In a wireless network, PHY  218  determines that a link has been established when the PHY detects the presence of a beacon signal emitted by a base station within the wireless network, as is well-known in the relevant arts. 
     Network throughput indicates the amount of data traversing the network interface  204 . In one implementation, network interface  204  determines network throughput by determining the number of bits that traverse the network interface in a predetermined period of time. 
     Network traffic load indicates the total amount of traffic traversing the network. In one implementation, network interface  204  determines network traffic load by counting the total number of frames it receives from the network, including frames destined for other network interfaces and devices. 
     Network congestion indicates the level of excess traffic on the network. In one implementation, network interface  204  determines network congestion by computing the ratio of unsuccessful transmissions to total transmission attempts. 
     Received signal intensity indicates the strength of the signal received from a base station in a wireless network. When multiple wireless networks are present, received signal intensity is used to select among them. 
     In a wireless network, a network interface  204  often cannot receive signals from all of the other network devices communicating with the wireless network&#39;s base station. In one implementation, the wireless base station determines the condition of the network, and broadcasts this condition. Network interface  204  thus receives the network condition from the wireless base station. 
     Each PHY  218  communicates the condition of its network  206  to network interface controller  212 . Network interface controller  212  communicates the condition of each network  206  to host  202  (step  404 ). 
     Host  202  determines a preference among the networks  206  (step  406 ). More specifically, device driver  210  within host  202  determines a preference among the networks  206 . In one implementation, device driver  210  obtains the preference by prompting the user to select one of the networks  206 . In another implementation, device driver  210  obtains the preference from a default setting or a setting previously established by a user. The preference can indicate one preferred network, or can indicate any number of preferred networks, in order of preference. In one implementation, a wired network is preferred over a wireless network by default. 
     Host  202  selects one of the networks  206  (step  408 ). More specifically, device driver  210  within host  202  selects one of the networks  206 . In one implementation, device driver  210  selects one of the networks  206  based on the preference and the condition of the networks. When multiple measurements are available for each network, device driver  210  applies weighting techniques to the measurements. 
     Host  202  communicates the selection to network interface  204  (step  410 ). Network interface controller  212  receives the selection, and activates the path within the network interface  204  that serves the selected network  206  (step  412 ). The selected path includes the PHY  218  that is connected to the selected network  206  and the MAC  214  that communicates with that PHY. 
     Network interface controller  212  activates a path within network interface  204  according to the following method. Network interface controller  212  includes a control register that includes a bit for each MAC  214 . Each bit in the control register controls the corresponding MAC  214  to one of two states: active or standby. Network interface controller  212  activates a path by setting the bit for the MAC  214  in that path to control that MAC to the active state. Each MAC  214  controls the state of the PHY  218  in its path. When a MAC  214  is in the active state, it controls the PHY  218  in its path to the active state. When a MAC  214  is in the standby state, it controls the PHY  218  in its path to the standby state. When a MAC  214  and PHY  218  are in the active state, they communicate with the network connected to the PHY. When a MAC  214  and PHY  218  are in the standby state, they do not communicate with the network connected to the PHY. 
     The network interface  204  then communicates data to and from host  202  over the selected network  206  using the single MAC address loaded into all of the MACs  214  from PROM  220  (step  414 ). Network interface  204  sends data to the selected network  206  by inserting the MAC address into the header of each frame of the data. Network interface  204  uses filter  216  to examine the header of each frame of data on the selected network, and transfers those frames having the single MAC address of the network interface  204  to the host  202 . 
     The invention can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Apparatus of the invention can be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor; and method steps of the invention can be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions of the invention by operating on input data and generating output. The invention can be implemented advantageously in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computer program can be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random access memory. Generally, a computer will include one or more mass storage devices for storing data files; such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM disks. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). 
     A number of implementations of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7