摘要:
A 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 fast, lightweight, reliable, packet-based protocol (ABC) that operates independent of the type of networking protocol used by the underlying physical layer of the network is disclosed. More specifically, the packet based protocol operates independently of or is capable of encapsulating over physical layer protocols such as but not limited to MAC, Ethernet, Ethernet II, HARD or IP. The protocol defines at least three different types of frames including Information frames, Supervisory frames, and Unnumbered frames. In various embodiments of the invention, the Information, Supervisory, and Unnumbered frames include DSAP and SSAP field with semantics which are sufficiently large to support the various physical layer protocols that may be used on the network. The Information frames, Supervisory frames, and Unnumbered frames also have the ability to support urgent data delivery and certain memory management functions. The protocol is further capable of support the multiplexing of layers higher than the protocol so that multiple higher layer applications may share the same connection. Finally, the protocol of the present invention supports both flow control and congestion control, to help reduce the incidence of lost or dropped packets at a receiving node or over the network respectively.
摘要:
Methods and apparatus for implementing storage virtualization on a network device of a storage area network are disclosed. A frame or packet is received at a port of the network device. It is then determined that the frame or packet pertains to access of a virtual storage location of a virtual storage unit representing one or more physical storage locations on one or more physical storage units of the storage area network. A virtual-physical mapping between the one or more physical storage locations and the virtual storage location is then obtained. A new or modified frame or packet is then sent to an initiator or a target specified by the virtual-physical mapping.
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:
Increased usage of network links is provided and smaller forwarding tables are required. A combination of STP and Multipath methods may be implemented in a network. Frames may be forwarded between switches not only according to MAC addresses, but also according to switch IDs and local IDs. Switch IDs do not need to be globally unique, but should be unique within a particular network. Local IDs need only be unique within a particular switch. Some preferred implementations allow frames to be delivered in order to devices requiring in-order delivery. Preferably, core switches need only learn the switch IDs of each core switch and each edge switch, and the appropriate exit port(s) corresponding to each switch. Preferably, the forwarding tables of each edge switch indicate the addresses of each device attached to that edge switch, the address of each device that is in communication with an attached device and the address of every other switch in the network.
摘要:
Methods and devices are provided for implementing flow control coordination in a gateway between a TCP/IP network and a second network. The second network may be any type of network, including another TCP/IP network. In some implementations, the throughput of the TCP/IP network is controlled by modifying the round trip time observed by a TCP connection. In other implementations, the throughput of the TCP/IP network is controlled by modifying the size of the TCP window.
摘要:
Methods and apparatus for encapsulating a packet or frame for transmission in a storage area network are disclosed. A packet or frame compatible with a standard protocol employed in the storage area network is received or generated. The packet or frame is then encapsulated with a virtual storage area network identifier. The packet or frame may further be encapsulated with at least one of a TTL value, MPLS information, and a type of traffic to be carried by the packet or frame. For instance, the type of traffic to be carried by the packet or frame may include Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and Infiniband. Once encapsulated, the encapsulated packet or frame is sent over the storage area network. For instance, the encapsulated packet or frame may be generated as well as transmitted by a switch over an inter-switch link in the storage area network.