BYPASS SWITCH DEVICE WITH INDICATING FUNCTION, ETHERNET NETWORK MODULE AND NETWORK APPLIANCE

Abstract

A bypass switch device with indicating function is disclosed. The bypass switch device is for use in a network appliance having at least one Ethernet network module, and comprises N switch units and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to change the switching state of at least two said switch units in case the Ethernet network module fails to work normally, such that at least two RJ45 connectors directly communicate with each other through at least two said switch units. In such case, the microcontroller simultaneously controls one of two LED components included by one said RJ45 connector and one of two LED components included by another one said RJ45 connector, such that the two LED components emit lights for indicating that the Ethernet network module is working in a bypass mode.

Description

Claims

1. A bypass switch device, being integrated in an Ethernet network module comprising a signal transmission controller, N number of transformers and N number of RJ45 connectors; wherein N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, each said RJ45 connector including a first LED component and a second LED component, and the bypass switch device comprising: N number of switch units, wherein each said switch unit has a control terminal, a first terminal coupled to one said transformer, a second terminal coupled to one said RJ45 connector, and a third terminal coupled to one said switch unit; anda microcontroller, being coupled to the signal transmission controller and the N number of RJ45 connectors, and being also coupled to N said control terminals of the N number of switch units;wherein the microcontroller is configured for: switching at least two said switch units from a first switching state to a second switching state in case the signal transmission controller fails to work normally, so as to make at least two said RJ45 connectors be allowed to directly communicate with each other; andsimultaneously lighting up said first LED component belong to one of two said RJ45 connectors directly communicating with each other as well as said second LED component belong to another one said RJ45 connector, so as to indicate that the Ethernet network module is working in a bypass mode.

2. The bypass switch device of claim 1, wherein said switch unit is selected from a group consisting of relay and signal switching chip.

3. The bypass switch device of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is integrated with a trigger unit therein, and the trigger unit enabling the microcontroller to switch at least two said switch units from the first switching state to the second switching state in case the signal transmission controller fails to work normally.

4. The bypass switch device of claim 3, wherein the trigger unit is a watchdog timer for monitoring whether the microcontroller periodically receive a specific signal from the signal transmission controller.

5. The bypass switch device of claim 3, wherein the trigger unit is a voltage detector for monitoring whether a working voltage supplied to the signal transmission controller is in a normal range.

6. An Ethernet network module, being integrated in a network appliance, and comprising a signal transmission controller, N number of transformers and N number of RJ45 connectors; wherein N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and each said RJ45 connector including a first LED component and a second LED component; characterized in that the Ethernet network module further comprises a bypass switch device, and the bypass switch device comprising: N number of switch units, wherein each said switch unit has a control terminal, a first terminal coupled to one said transformer, a second terminal coupled to one said RJ45 connector, and a third terminal coupled to one said switch unit; anda microcontroller, being coupled to the signal transmission controller and the N number of RJ45 connectors, and being also coupled to N said control terminals of the N number of switch units;wherein the microcontroller is configured for: switching at least two said switch units from a first switching state to a second switching state in case the signal transmission controller fails to work normally, so as to make at least two said RJ45 connectors be allowed to directly communicate with each other; andsimultaneously lighting up said first LED component belong to one of two said RJ45 connectors directly communicating with each other as well as said second LED component belong to another one said RJ45 connector, so as to indicate that the Ethernet network module is working in a bypass mode.

7. The Ethernet network module of claim 6, wherein said switch unit is selected from a group consisting of relay and signal switching chip.

8. The Ethernet network module of claim 7, wherein the microcontroller is integrated with a trigger unit therein, and the trigger unit enabling the microcontroller to switch at least two said switch units from the first switching state to the second switching state in case the signal transmission controller fails to work normally.

9. The Ethernet network module of claim 8, wherein the trigger unit is a watchdog timer for monitoring whether the microcontroller periodically receive a specific signal from the signal transmission controller.

10. The Ethernet network module of claim 8, wherein the trigger unit is a voltage detector for monitoring whether a working voltage supplied to the signal transmission controller is in a normal range.

11. A network appliance, including at least one Ethernet network module comprising a signal transmission controller, N number of transformers and N number of RJ45 connectors; wherein N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and each said RJ45 connector including a first LED component and a second LED component; characterized in that the network appliance further comprises a bypass switch device integrated in the Ethernet network module, and the bypass switch device comprising: N number of switch units, wherein each said switch unit has a control terminal, a first terminal coupled to one said transformer and a second terminal coupled to one said RJ45 connector, and a third terminal coupled to one said switch unit; anda microcontroller, being coupled to the signal transmission controller and the N number of RJ45 connectors, and being also coupled to N said control terminals of the N number of switch units;wherein the microcontroller is configured for: switching at least two said switch units from a first switching state to a second switching state in case the signal transmission controller fails to work normally, so as to make at least two said RJ45 connectors be allowed to directly communicate with each other; andsimultaneously lighting up said first LED component belong to one of two said RJ45 connectors directly communicating with each other as well as said second LED component belong to another one said RJ45 connector, so as to indicate that the Ethernet network module is working in a bypass mode.

12. The network appliance of claim 11, wherein said switch unit is selected from a group consisting of relay and signal switching chip.

13. The network appliance of claim 12, wherein the microcontroller is integrated with a trigger unit therein, and the trigger unit enables the microcontroller to switch at least two said switch units from the first switching state to the second switching state in case the signal transmission controller fails to work normally.

14. The network appliance of claim 13, wherein the trigger unit is a watchdog timer for monitoring whether the microcontroller periodically receive a specific signal from the signal transmission controller.

15. The network appliance of claim 13, wherein the trigger unit is a voltage detector for monitoring whether a working voltage supplied to the signal transmission controller is in a normal range.