Abstract:
Embodiments provide load balancing in a virtual computing environment comprising a plurality of PCI-Express switches (the PCIe switching cloud) coupled to a plurality of network interface devices (NICs). An NIC cluster is added between the PCIe switching cloud and the NICs. The NIC cluster is configured to hide NICs from system images and allow the system images to access functions across multiple NICs. The NIC cluster of an embodiment dynamically load balances network resources by performing a hashing function on a header field of received packets. The NIC cluster of an embodiment performs load balancing and state management in association with driver software, which is embedded in the system image. The driver software adds a tag for flow identification to downstream data packets. The NIC cluster distributes data packets based on information in the tag.
Abstract:
A method for establishing a virtual channel between network devices is disclosed. In the case of a local network device establishing a virtual channel with a remote network device, a virtual channel request message is sent from the local network device to the remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are received and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are sent. The virtual channel is then enabled. In the case of a remote network device establishing a virtual channel with a local network device, a virtual channel request message is received from a local network device by a remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are sent and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are received. The virtual channel is then enabled.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method and system for communication between processors. Rather than provide an external network connection solely for providing a communication link between CPUs, the present invention utilizes the network devices to transfer information between CPUs. A transmitting network device marks a control packet, which is intended as a communication between CPUs, as control traffic. The receiving network device will determine whether the received control packet is intended for its own CPU and provide the control packet to its CPU if that is the case.
Abstract:
Methods and network device apparatus for discovering interconnections between a plurality of network devices are disclosed. An example network device apparatus includes a first stack port configured to couple the network device with a next network device and a second stack port configured to couple the network device with a previous network device. The example network device is configured to send, to the next network device through the first stack port, a first probe packet and a routing packet. The example network device is further configured to receive, from the previous network device through the second stack port, a second probe packet and the routing packet. The example network device is still further configured to confirm that the previous network device and the next network device have received configuration information included in the routing packet.
Abstract:
A method for establishing a virtual channel between network devices is disclosed. In the case of a local network device establishing a virtual channel with a remote network device, a virtual channel request message is sent from the local network device to the remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are received and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are sent. The virtual channel is then enabled. In the case of a remote network device establishing a virtual channel with a local network device, a virtual channel request message is received from a local network device by a remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are sent and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are received. The virtual channel is then enabled.
Abstract:
The invention is a method system and apparatus for a group driver. In the event that a system-wide application is needed, a plurality of devices that belong to the system are identified and divided into groups. The groups include a processor and at least one device such as a switch. Once the groups are determined, the system-wide application is transmitted to the devices via the group processors.
Abstract:
A method and system for automatically trunking ports connecting network devices arranged in a stacked configuration is provided. The method includes sending a packet, from a sending network device to at least one other receiving network device, through each of a plurality of ports of the network device. The packet includes at least an identifier for identifying the sending network device. The receiving network device maintains a table identifying which ports are connected to a neighboring network device. The network device automatically trunks the ports which are connected to the same network device;
Abstract:
Embodiments provide load balancing in a virtual computing environment comprising a plurality of PCI-Express switches (the PCIe switching cloud) coupled to a plurality of network interface devices (NICs). An NIC cluster is added between the PCIe switching cloud and the NICs. The NIC cluster is configured to hide NICs from system images and allow the system images to access functions across multiple NICs. The NIC cluster of an embodiment dynamically load balances network resources by performing a hashing function on a header field of received packets. The NIC cluster of an embodiment performs load balancing and state management in association with driver software, which is embedded in the system image. The driver software adds a tag for flow identification to downstream data packets. The NIC cluster distributes data packets based on information in the tag.
Abstract:
A method for establishing a virtual channel between network devices is disclosed. In the case of a local network device establishing a virtual channel with a remote network device, a virtual channel request message is sent from the local network device to the remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are received and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are sent. The virtual channel is then enabled. In the case of a remote network device establishing a virtual channel with a local network device, a virtual channel request message is received from a local network device by a remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are sent and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are received. The virtual channel is then enabled.
Abstract:
A method for establishing a virtual channel between network devices is disclosed. In the case of a local network device establishing a virtual channel with a remote network device, a virtual channel request message is sent from the local network device to the remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are received and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are sent. The virtual channel is then enabled. In the case of a remote network device establishing a virtual channel with a local network device, a virtual channel request message is received from a local network device by a remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are sent and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are received. The virtual channel is then enabled.