METHOD FOR ENCAPSULATING HARDWARE TO ALLOW MULTI-TASKING OF MICROCODE

The problem with sharing or multi-tasking a single microprocessor across multiple ports is that it requires an elaborate and costly effort to adapt, modify, and rewriting of existing microcode. Extensive effort has gone into the development and testing of existing microcode that supports Token Ring. The re-use of the microcode, mostly in an “as is” condition is required to increase effectiveness and reduce costs. The present invention resolves these problems. It further describes a method that easily encapsulates existing hardware and allows the use of existing microcode to be extended to a multi-tasking environment, at a substantially reduced cost and with greater efficiency. Another embodiment of this invention describes a system and method to reuse a single existing Token Ring macro with embedded processor and microcode for multiple ports on a chip.