A network (10) includes several local networks (32, 34, 36). Each local network (32, 34, 36) includes a repeater (12, 16, 20) coupled to data devices (14, 18, 22). The combination of the repeater (12, 16, 20) and the data devices (14, 18, 22) form a collision domain for managing communications...http://www.google.de/patents/US5854790?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5854790 - Method and apparatus for networking data devices using an uplink module
