Nortel Networks Corporation

Pierre Miller

Marc Leclair

Bruce A Schofield

Indermohan S Monga

Bernard Marchand

Bernard Merchand

James T Wilson

Collection of topology mapping linkage information between a Storage Area Network ('SAN') and a transparent interconnecting transport network is at least partially automated. Physical topology information is gathered by detecting use of a physical path between a port of a first SAN device and a port of a second SAN device logically proximate to the transport network. This may be accomplished by discovering World Wide Names of end-points in a Fibre Channel SAN, and discovering Media Access Control addresses of end-points in an Ethernet SAN. The discovered physical topology information is then employed with known transport network logical topology information to determine which logical path or paths are associated with the physical path, i.e., to generate a mapping.

Automated network to SAN topology linkage

A system and method for extending the reach of a data communication channel using flow control interception devices is described. The method decreases the latency-induced reduction in the data throughput and permits data transmission at subrates through the data communication channel. The method includes transmitting a data frame from a sending device. The data frame is transmitted through the data communication channel if a flow control signal is not asserted. The data frame is buffered if the flow control signal is asserted. The buffered data frame is transmitted through the data communication channel in response the flow control signal changing to an asserted state. The method also includes receiving the transmitted data frame from the data communication channel and transmitting the received data frame to a receiving device if the receiving device is available to process the data frame. If the receiving device is unavailable, the received data frame is buffered until the receiving device becomes available to process the buffered data frame.

Method and system for extending the reach of a data communication channel using a flow control interception device

A component for adjusting the capacity of a network link between the component and another component is disclosed. The component receives a first data signal and transmits across forward channels of the network link a plurality of second data signals carrying the data of the first data signal and control information for a plurality of third data signals. The component further receives the plurality of third data signals across respective return channels, these third data signals carrying control information for the plurality of second data signals. The control information includes status information for less than a maximum number of the forward channels, and the status information is out of phase within each of the return channels in respect of the forward channels to which the status information relates. The component is responsive to this status information to adjust the capacity of the network link.

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Hull, Canada

Pierre Miller