International Business Machines Corporation

Lenovo (singapore) Pte. Ltd.

David R Engebretsen

William Joseph Armstrong

Josep Cors

John Michael Borkenhagen

Bruce Marshall Walk

Martin Joseph Crippen

Dhruv Manmohandas Desai

Philip Rogers Hillier, Iii

James Edward Hughes

Jaimeson Saley

Stephen A Knight

Steven M Tri

Claude Basso

Steven Mark Thurber

James A O'Connor

William Gavin Holland

Curtis Carl Wollbrink

Eric G Thiemann

Kyle Alan Lucke

Thomas R Sand

Paul Edward Movall

Jeffrey James Lynch

Colin Beaton Verrilli

Adalberto Guillermo Yanes

Scott Neil Dunham

Adam Charles Lange-Pearson

David Lee Hermsmeier

Bruce Wile

Gregory Michael Nordstrom

Kenneth Michael Valk

Timothy Roy Block

Michael Joseph Corrigan

Richard Charles Booth

Pravin S Patel

David Alan Shedivy

Bruce Leroy Beukema

Jonathan Louis Kaus

Bradley David McCredie

Richard B Booth

Ward Ray Nelson

Brian Gerard Holthaus

Robert W Todd

Benjamin R Garbers

Kenneth Micheal Valk

Mehul M Shah

Henry Joseph May

Ronald Ernest Freking

David Charles Boutcher

Colin Robert DeVilbiss

William G Hollan

James A O'Connoor

A system and method performs packet analysis in a distributed communication network. Packet processors tap into data packet flow at various points in the distributed network. The packet processors processes data packets from the packet flow and select a set of packets using a packet signature function and packet selection criteria. A packet record is created by each packet processor and sent to other packet processors in the distributed network. The other packet processors add data to the packet record for the same set of packets. The packet records are analyzed to gather comparative data to identify problems in the network.

Problem detection in a distributed digital network through distributed packet analysis

A distributed network switch includes multiple switch modules connected by one or more physical cables. One switch module may determine which connector port of a remote switch module is connected by physical cable based on information received from the remote switch module, including link identifiers, and further based on a physical topology predetermined about the type of remote switch module.

Constructing and verifying switch fabric cabling schemes

A method includes receiving firmware at a network entity and determining whether the network entity is to operate as a controlling Fiber Channel forwarder based on the firmware.

Configuration of network entities using firmware

The different switch modules making up a distributed virtual switch may route configuration commands for hardware resources to different modules within the distributed switch using a distribution and routing layer. At least one of the switch modules maintains a routing table that defines which switch modules are responsible for which hardware resources. The switch module uses the routing tables to forward the commands on the distribution and routing layer to the responsible switch module which then ensures that the relevant hardware resources are configured.

Distributing functions in a distributed and embedded environment

Techniques are provided for packet routing in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch includes multiple switch modules operatively connected to one another, and each switch module includes multiple bridge elements and a management controller. In one embodiment, a shared interface routing (SIR) framework is provided that includes an analysis and bifurcation layer, at least one packet interface, and an analysis assist layer. A packet is received over a first logical network and via a physical port, the packet being destined for at least a first application executing on the management controller. The analysis assist layer analyzes the packet to determine a reason code to assign to the packet. The analysis and bifurcation layer then analyzes the packet based at least in part on the reason code.

Packet routing with analysis assist for embedded applications sharing a single network interface over multiple virtual networks

When testing or validating a hardware system, a script file representing a portion of the firmware may be used to test the system instead of using the firmware code itself. For example, the script file may be plurality of register commands that perform the same initialization sequence as the firmware. Before connecting the hardware system to firmware drivers, the script file may be used to debug the initialization sequence. Instead of generating this script file manually, a firmware testing tool may be used. While executing the firmware, the tool may record the different register access commands performed during the initialization process. The script file is then generated programmatically using these recorded commands without requiring input from the system designer. The generated script file may then be tested on the hardware system to determine whether the command sequence in the script file forces the hardware system into the desired state.

Firmware generated register file for use in hardware validation

Techniques are provided for packet routing in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch includes multiple switch modules operatively connected to one another, and each switch module includes multiple bridge elements and a management controller. In one embodiment, a shared interface routing (SIR) framework is provided that includes an analysis and bifurcation layer and at least one packet interface. A packet is received over a first logical network and via a physical port, the packet being destined for at least a first application executing on the management controller. The analysis and bifurcation layer analyzes the packet and sends the packet to the packet interface, which then routes the packet to the first application.

Packet routing for embedded applications sharing a single network interface over multiple virtual networks

A distributed switch may include a plurality of special-purpose processors that control the different functions of the switch. To enable some special services, however, the distributed switch may need one of these processors to perform the role of a master. When a processor is powered on, the processor may publish a corresponding unique ID. Before electing the master, the special-purpose processors may use a discovery process to identify the network topology of the switch and evaluate the published IDs to determine which processor should be the master. If all the processors nominate the same master processor, then that processor is elected as the master and may finish configuring the distributed switch to enable the special services.

Selecting a master processor from an ambiguous peer group

Techniques are disclosed for managing a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a midplane, one or more server cards, switch modules and a management controller. The midplane may include a fabric interconnect for a switch fabric. The one or more server cards and the switch modules may be operatively connected to the midplane. The switch modules may be configured to switch network traffic for the one or more server cards. The management controller may be configured to manage the switch modules via the fabric interconnect.

Switch fabric management

Growing community of inventors

Cannon Falls, MN, United States of America

David R Engebretsen