Patent Document ID: 5450416
Application ID: 07935072
Patent Flag: 1

Claim One:
1. A method of testing a communications adapter having an adapter connector attached to an electronic system normally transmitting at least inbound and outbound data signals and inbound and outbound control signals to a communications interface for a collision-detection network, said method comprising: a) disconnecting said communications interface from said adapter connector; b) attaching to said adapter connector a removable wrap plug having means for selectively coupling a line normally carrying said outbound data signal either to a line carrying said inbound data signal or to a line carrying said inbound control signal in response to a first or second mode of said outbound control signal; c) causing said system to set said first mode of said outbound control signal, and then to send first preselected test data from said communications adapter to said communications adapter via said line normally carrying said outbound data signal; d) thereafter, monitoring said inbound data signal so as to detect a first response of said system to said first preselected test data, for indicating whether a first mode of said adapter operates correctly; e) causing said system to set said second mode of said outbound control signal, and then to send second preselected test data from said communications adapter to said communications adapter via said line normally carrying said outbound data signal; f) thereafter, monitoring said inbound data signal so as to detect a second response of said system to said second preselected test data, for indicating whether a second mode of said adapter operates correctly; g) producing an error indication if either said response indicates an error condition.