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Author

Donald A. Blackwell

Bio: Donald A. Blackwell is an academic researcher from Finisar. The author has contributed to research in topics: Network tap & Optical switch. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 13 publications receiving 241 citations.

Papers
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Patent
31 May 2006
TL;DR: In this paper, a network tap device that is configured for operation in a copper Gigabit Ethernet communications network using a power-over-Ethernet (POE) electrical supply is disclosed.
Abstract: A network tap device that is configured for operation in a copper Gigabit Ethernet communications network using a power-over-Ethernet (“POE”) electrical supply is disclosed. In one embodiment, a network tap device powered by a POE supply is disclosed, comprising first and second network ports that are configured with receptacles for receiving communication cables. The communication cables are configured to carry both data signals and the POE supply to and from the network tap device. The network tap device further includes first and second tap ports that connect with additional communication cables to a monitoring device. The network tap device also includes control and regulation circuitry that is configured to receive the POE supply from the communication cables via the network ports and to enable components of the network tap device to be operated by the POE supply.

75 citations

Patent
31 May 2006
TL;DR: In this paper, a network tap device array capable of being powered by a power-over-Ethernet (POE) supply is presented, which enables data from multiple nodes in a communications network to be tapped and forwarded to a plurality of monitoring devices.
Abstract: A network tap device array capable of being powered by a power-over Ethernet (“POE”) supply is disclosed. The array enables data from multiple nodes in a communications network to be tapped and forwarded to a plurality of monitoring devices. In one embodiment the network tap device array includes a chassis that is configured to receive a plurality of network tap devices that are each powered by a POE supply. Each network tap device includes network ports for receiving and transmitting network data via communication cables and tap ports for forwarding the tapped network data to the monitoring device. In another embodiment, a sub-chassis includes a plurality of network tap devices and an aggregator that aggregates tapped data from each of the tap devices. The aggregator then forwards the aggregated data to the monitoring device. The sub-chassis can be included in a chassis that is configured to receive multiple populated chassis.

45 citations

Patent
12 Jul 2005
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an adapter for enabling a host device having an electrical connector compatible with a first protocol that is not connectable with a connector assembly associated with a second protocol to be usable with the second protocol.
Abstract: The present invention provides an adapter for enabling a host device having an electrical connector compatible with a first protocol that is not connectable with a connector assembly associated with a second protocol to be usable with the second protocol. The adapter includes a printed circuit board having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a first interface formed to removably connect with an electrical connector associated with a first protocol. The second end includes a second interface formed to removably connect with a connector assembly associated with the second protocol. A method of making the adapter includes configuring the first interface on the printed circuit board and integrating the second interface with the printed circuit board. One embodiment includes an adapter for enabling a host device with SFP electrical connectors to be usable with an SAS/SATA protocol.

41 citations

Patent
Donald A. Blackwell1
22 May 2006
TL;DR: In this paper, a rack unit assembly is provided that includes a frame and a modular network component having at least one interlocking part associated therewith, which is configured to be interlockingly coupled to the frame key.
Abstract: According to one example, a rack unit assembly is provided herein that includes a frame and a modular network component having at least one interlocking part associated therewith. The rack unit assembly also includes frame key mounted on the frame. The interlocking part is configured to be interlockingly coupled to the frame key.

22 citations

Patent
Donald A. Blackwell1
23 Jan 2004
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose a housing for hot-pluggable network tap modules, which allows a user to maintain all network taps in any given system in one housing and location.
Abstract: A housing for hot-pluggable network tap modules. The housing allows a user to maintain all network taps in any given system in one housing and location. This increases the ease of maintaining multiple network taps and allows the network tap modules to be powered by a power supply included with the housing. The housings can greatly simplify the process of managing multiple taps. Moreover, the housing are compatible with hot-pluggable network tap modules as well as legacy network tap modules that were developed in the past.

20 citations


Cited by
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Patent
29 Oct 2007
TL;DR: In this article, a flow processing facility for inspecting payloads of network traffic packets detects security threats and intrusions across accessible layers of the IP-stack by applying content matching and behavioral anomaly detection techniques based on regular expression matching and self-organizing maps.
Abstract: A flow processing facility, which uses a set of artificial neurons for pattern recognition, such as a self-organizing map, in order to provide security and protection to a computer or computer system supports unified threat management based at least in part on patterns relevant to a variety of types of threats that relate to computer systems, including computer networks. Flow processing for switching, security, and other network applications, including a facility that processes a data flow to address patterns relevant to a variety of conditions are directed at internal network security, virtualization, and web connection security. A flow processing facility for inspecting payloads of network traffic packets detects security threats and intrusions across accessible layers of the IP-stack by applying content matching and behavioral anomaly detection techniques based on regular expression matching and self-organizing maps. Exposing threats and intrusions within packet payload at or near real-time rates enhances network security from both external and internal sources while ensuring security policy is rigorously applied to data and system resources. Intrusion Detection and Protection (IDP) is provided by a flow processing facility that processes a data flow to address patterns relevant to a variety of types of network and data integrity threats that relate to computer systems, including computer networks.

1,428 citations

Patent
05 Mar 2003
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose a high density fiber optic distribution frame, which is compatible with existing fiber optic connector housings, maintains the minimum bend radius of the optical fibers transitioned on the frame between connector modules, and reduces the length of a single length jumper employed on the distribution frame.
Abstract: A high density fiber optic distribution frame includes a frame assembly, one or more left-hand connector module housings mounted on the frame assembly, one or more right-hand connector module housings mounted on the frame assembly and an Interbay Storage Unit (IBU) positioned on the frame assembly medially between the left-hand connector module housings and the right-hand connector module housings. Each connector module housing includes one or more connector modules having one or more adapters for interconnecting optical fibers between connector modules on the distribution frame or on an adjacent distribution frame in a communications network. The distribution frame is compatible with existing fiber optic connector housings, maintains the minimum bend radius of the optical fibers transitioned on the frame between connector modules, and reduces the length of a single length jumper employed on the frame. An alternative embodiment includes an Interbay Fiber Manager (IFM) for routing and storing additional jumpers.

138 citations

Patent
30 Jul 2015
TL;DR: In this article, an adapter panel arrangement including a chassis and a panel of adapters is presented, with the adapters defining open rearward cable connections and open forward cable connections of the panel arrangement.
Abstract: An adapter panel arrangement including a chassis and a panel of adapters. The adapters defining open rearward cable connections and open forward cable connections of the panel arrangement. The adapters being arranged in arrays that slide independently of other adapter arrays to provide access to the open rearward and open forward cable connections.

133 citations

Patent
30 Jun 2004
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose a protocol analyzer system that enables synchronization of timestamps and the capture of data across serially chained boxes that are used together to monitor and capture network data.
Abstract: Protocol analyzer systems enable synchronization of timestamps and the capture of data across serially chained boxes that are used together to monitor and capture network data. Through experiment, it can be determined how long it takes to propagate a signal to each box in the chain. These values are then recorded in each box in a delay register so that each box has a recorded delay value corresponding to the time required to propagate a signal to or receive a signal from every other box. Each box applies a control signal, such as a run signal or a trigger signal, to the ports in the box only after the expiration of the delay value indicated in the delay register. The box initiating the signal has the largest delay since the other boxes need to get the signal before the boxes can begin to operate with a common counter, with successive boxes having smaller delays.

114 citations

Patent
15 Sep 2006
TL;DR: Simplified laser drivers for closed path digital optical cables and digital optical cable including the simplified laser drivers as discussed by the authors can include a bias source and modulation source, and the bias source can have a single constant current bias point for all laser diodes.
Abstract: Simplified laser drivers for closed path digital optical cables and digital optical cables including the simplified laser drivers. The laser driver can include less transistors than conventional laser drivers for optical communication cables. The laser can include a bias source and modulation source. The bias source can have a single constant current bias point for all laser diodes. The modulation current source can have a single temperature coefficient for all laser diodes. The laser driver can exclude, for example, any one of or combination of temperature compensation of the modulation or bias current sources, external programming of the modulation or bias current sources, power control based on output of the laser diode, and/or control based on feedback received from a monitor device or other sensor within the cables.

81 citations