摘要:
The present invention provides methods and devices for implementing a Low Latency Ethernet ('LLE') solution, also referred to herein as a Data Center Ethernet ('DCE') solution, which simplifies the connectivity of data centers and provides a high bandwidth, low latency network for carrying Ethernet and storage traffic. Some aspects of the invention involve transforming FC frames into a format suitable for transport on an Ethernet. Some preferred implementations of the invention implement multiple virtual lanes ('VLs') in a single physical connection of a data center or similar network. Some VLs are 'drop' VLs, with Ethernet-like behavior, and others are 'no-drop' lanes with FC-like behavior. Some preferred implementations of the invention provide guaranteed bandwidth based on credits and VL. Active buffer management allows for both high reliability and low latency while using small frame buffers. Preferably, the rules for active buffer management are different for drop and no drop VLs.
摘要:
A method and apparatus to improve the performance of a SCSI write over a high latency network (10). The apparatus includes a first Switch (SW1) close to the initiator in a first SAN (12) and a second Switch (SW2) close to the target in a second SAN (14). The target can also be either directly or indirectly connected to the second Switch in the second SAN. The first and second Switches then coordinate with one another by sending Transfer Ready commands to each other independent of the target's knowledge. The second switch buffers the data received from the Host until the target indicates it is ready to receive the data. Since the Switches send frames to the initiating Host independent of the target, the Switches manipulate the OX_ID and RX_ID fields in the Fibre Channel header of the various commands associated with the SCSI Write. The OX_ID and RX_ID fields are manipulated so as to trap the commands and so that the Switches can keep track of the various commands associated with the SCSI write.
摘要:
An Fibre Channel Switch which enables end devices in different Fabrics to communicate with one another while retaining their unique Fibre Channel Domain_ IDs. The Switch is coupled to a first fabric having a first set of end devices and a second fabric having a second set of end devices. The Switch is configured to enable communication by the first set of end devices associated with the first fabric with the second set of end devices associated with the second set of end devices using the unique Domain_IDs of each of the first set and the second set of end devices. In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second fabrics are first and second Virtual Storage Array Networks (VSANs) respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the first fabric and the second fabric are separate physical fabrics.
摘要:
A Data Center Ethernet ('DCE') network and related methods and device are provided. A DCE network simplifies the connectivity of data centers and provides a high bandwidth, low latency network for carrying Ethernet, storage and other traffic. A Fibre Channel ('FC') frame, including FC addressing information, is encapsulated in an Ethernet frame for transmission on a Data Center Ethernet ('DCE') network. The Ethernet address fields may indicate that the frame includes an FC frame, e.g., by the use of a predetermined Organization Unique Identifier ('OUI') code in the D_MAC field, but also include Ethernet addressing information. Accordingly, the encapsulated frames can be forwarded properly by switches in the DCE network whether or not these switches are configured for operation according to the FC protocol. Accordingly, only a subset of Ethernet switches in the DCE network needs to be FC-enabled. Only switches so configured will require an FC Domain_ID.
摘要:
The present invention provides methods and devices for implementing a Low Latency Ethernet ('LLE') solution, also referred to herein as a Data Center Ethernet ('DCE') solution, which simplifies the connectivity of data centers and provides a high bandwidth, low latency network for carrying Ethernet and storage traffic. Some aspects of the invention involve transforming FC frames into a format suitable for transport on an Ethernet. Some preferred implementations of the invention implement multiple virtual lanes ('VLs') in a single physical connection of a data center or similar network. Some VLs are 'drop' VLs, with Ethernet-like behavior, and others are 'no-drop' lanes with FC-like behavior. Some preferred implementations of the invention provide guaranteed bandwidth based on credits and VL. Active buffer management allows for both high reliability and low latency while using small frame buffers. Preferably, the rules for active buffer management are different for drop and no drop VLs.
摘要:
Methods and devices are provided for implementing security groups in an enterprise network. The security groups include first network nodes that are subject to rules governing communications between the first network nodes and second network nodes. An indicator, referred to as a security group tag (SGT), identifies members of a security group. In some embodiments, the SGT is provided in a field of a data packet reserved for layer 3 information or a field reserved for higher layers. However, in other embodiments, the SGT is provided in a field reserved for layer 1 or layer 2. In some embodiments, the SGT is not provided in a field used by interswitch links or other network fabric devices for the purpose of making forwarding decisions.