Importance

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Abstract

The present embodiment includes a local area network adaptive circuit for coupling a host device to a network front end circuit which communicates information to/from a network. The adaptive circuit comprises an internal bus, a first bus operable to communicate with a bus of the host device and with the internal bus, and a second bus operable to communicate with a bus of the front end circuit and with the internal bus. The adaptive circuit further includes a protocol handler. The protocol handler is operable to communicate with the first, second and internal buses for communicating with either a token ring or an ethernet protocol in a token ring or protocol mode, respectively. The adaptive circuit further includes a configuration input pin for receiving a signal indicating a first and second state, wherein the first state indication configures the local area network adaptive circuit to operate in a token ring protocol and wherein the second state indication configures the local area network adaptive circuit to operate in an ethernet protocol.

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First Claim