Method and apparatus for avoiding packet loss on a CSMA/CD-type local area network using receive-sense-based jam signal

摘要

An Ethernet network or other CSMA/CD network includes a hub that is modified to generate a jamming signal on a communication line when a packet received over that line is directed to an unavailable destination. The destination may be unavailable due to full transmit buffers, full receive buffers, or congestion in other parts of the hub architecture. Jamming is detected by the source node as a collision and causes retransmission of the packet from the source node. The decision to jam may include a determination of the packet's priority which may be determined based on the packet's destination or source address.