Mcdata Corporation

Samuel C Lay

Jeffrey J Nelson

Kenneth N Jessop

James Rodgers

A method and apparatus for providing link aggregation and 10.2 gigabit per second throughput in a Fibre Channel fabric. One aspect of the present invention provides a port module for receiving a 10.2 gigabit link on a fiber interface and providing trunking of a plurality links on the backplane, wherein the backplane is coupled to a switching element. In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides a first port module coupled to a switching element for receiving a 10.2 gigabit link from a fabric on a fiber interface and thereafter transmitting fiber channel frames to a second port module coupled to the switching element that interfaces to the fabric at 10.2 gigabits, thereby providing 10.2 gigabit to 10.2 gigabit throughput from the first port module to the second port module.

Method and apparatus for providing optimized high speed link utilization

A non-disruptive, on-line testing and switchover method and apparatus in a high availability, fibre channel switching environment. In a network having an active switching element, a redundant switching element and a port, one aspect of the present invention provides for verifying a working data path from the port to the redundant switching element, and thereafter verifying a working control path to the redundant switching element. Both verification tests take place without interrupting operation on the network. In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides for recognizing a failure occurrence in the active switching element, and thereafter switching to the redundant switching element with the potential for minimal frame loss.

Automatic testing of redundant switching element and automatic switchover

A non-disruptive, on-line testing and switchover method and apparatus in a high availability, fiber channel switching environment. In a network having an active switching element, a redundant switching element and a port, one aspect of the present invention provides for verifying a working data path from the port to the redundant switching element, and thereafter verifying a working control path to the redundant switching element. Both verification tests take place without interrupting operation on the network. In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides for recognizing a failure occurrence in the active switching element, and thereafter switching to the redundant switching element with the potential for minimal frame loss.

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Broomfield, CO, United States of America

Samuel C Lay