Emulex Design & Manufacturing Corporation

Jeda Networks, Inc.

Emulex Corporation

Vixel Corporation

Other

Stuart B Berman

Bradley Eugene Roach

Peter Mark Fiacco

David James Duckman

Kenneth Hiroshi Hirata

Vi Chau

Greg Scherer

Bradley Roach

David Duckman

Peter Fiacco

Methods, apparatus, and systems create virtualized networks within a physical network. These virtualized networks can support multiprotocols such as iSCSI, RoCE, NFS, or other high performance protocols. The virtualized subnetwork may contain enhanced separation capabilities from the larger network as well as automated creation. A method is provided for forwarding iSCSI frames by a switch. The methods consist of receiving commands at the switch to configure the ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) tables from a software defined network controller. An iSCSI frame is received by the switch from a first iSCSI device coupled to the switch. The switch looks up and matches the received iSCSI frame by one or more of the fields in a TCAM table entry. The TCAM table entry preferably is added from a command send from the software defined network controller. The received iSCSI frame is forwarded to a second iSCSI device coupled to the switch.

Methods, systems and apparatus for the virtualization of high performance networks

Systems, apparatus and methods are provided for interconnection of one or more Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) devices. The system preferably comprises a virtualized or virtual server which in turn comprises a virtual machine having an FCoE device interconnection apparatus controller, a virtual switch, the virtual switch being coupled to the FCoE device interconnection apparatus controller, and a network interface. The network interface is coupled to the virtual switch, which in turn couples to an Ethernet fabric. A first Ethernet link couples the network interface to the Ethernet fabric. One or more Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) devices are coupled to the Ethernet fabric via Ethernet links.

Methods, systems and apparatus for the control of interconnection of fibre channel over ethernet devices

Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for forwarding Fiber Channel Initialization Protocol (FIP) frames and Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) frames by a FCoE device interconnection apparatus (FIA) and with a Fiber Channel over Ethernet device interconnection apparatus controller (FIAC). An FCoE frame received by the FIA from the FCoE device includes at least destination and source Ethernet MAC address fields which are replaced, such as where the destination Ethernet MAC address is replaced by the MAC address assigned to a remote FCoE device, such as the desired end port. The frame is forwarded to the destination FCoE device. Preferably, first and second ports are coupled to the connectivity apparatus, which are then coupled to first and second FCoE devices.

Methods, systems and apparatus for the interconnection of fibre channel over Ethernet devices

Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for creating virtual links between Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) nodes. FIP Discovery Advertisement frames are received from multiple FCoE device interconnection apparatus (FIA). The FIP Discovery Advertisement frames comprises source Ethernet MAC addresses, a destination Ethernet MAC address of All-ENode-MACs, Fabric FIP descriptor, and a Priority FIP descriptor. A list is stored of one or more of the source Ethernet MAC address, FIP Priority descriptor, and FIP Fabric descriptor for each unique FIP Discovery Advertisement frame received as indicated by the Fabric descriptor. The Name Server is queried for each source Ethernet MAC address in said storage. For all FCoE devices that match in more that one Name Server, connect to those FCoE devices using the highest priority Ethernet MAC address from matching list items.

Methods, systems and apparatus for converged network adapters

Systems, apparatus and methods are provided for interconnection of one or more Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) devices. The system preferably comprises a virtualized or virtual server which in turn comprises a virtual machine having an FCoE device interconnection apparatus controller, a virtual switch, the virtual switch being coupled to the FCoE device interconnection apparatus controller, and a network interface. The network interface is coupled to the virtual switch, which in turn couples to an Ethernet fabric. A first Ethernet link couples the network interface to the Ethernet fabric. One or more Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) devices are coupled to the Ethernet fabric via Ethernet links.

Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for forwarding Fiber Channel Initialization Protocol (FIP) and Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) frames by a FCoE device interconnection apparatus (FIA) and a Fiber Channel over Ethernet device interconnection apparatus controller (FIAC). In one aspect of the invention, a command is sent from a FIAC to the FIA to set the frame processing apparatus to identify received FIP frames, which are forwarded with the original destination and source Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC) addresses. A command is sent from the FIAC to the FIA to identify received FCoE frames to replace the source and destination Ethernet MAC addresses. When a FCoE frame is received by the FIA, the source and destination Ethernet MAC addresses are replaced, such as where the destination Ethernet MAC address of the received matched FCoE frame is replaced by the MAC address assigned to the desired end port. The FCoE frame is forwarded to a destination FCoE device.

Methods, systems and apparatus for the interconnection of fibre channel over Ethernet devices using a fibre channel over Ethernet interconnection apparatus controller

Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for processing Fiber Channel Fabric Login frames by a FCoE device interconnection apparatus (FIA) and a FCoE device interconnection apparatus controller (FIAC). A Fabric Login (FLOGI) Fiber Channel frame is encapsulated into a Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) FIP FLOGI frame at a Fiber Channel device interconnection apparatus (FIA). The encapsulated frame is transmitted from the FIA to a FCoE device interconnection apparatus controller (FIAC). A FIP link service accept (LS_ACC) frame is transmitted by the FIAC to the FIA, and the FIP LS_ACC frame is received by the FIA. The FIP frame is decapsulated into a Fiber Channel LS_ACC frame at the FIA. The Fiber Channel LS_ACC frame is transmitted back to the said Fiber Channel device.

Methods, systems and apparatus for the servicing of fibre channel login frames

This is directed to providing Fiber Channel over Ethernet communication. For example a Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) enabled device (such as a computer) may include a Fiber Channel over Ethernet Adapter (FCoEA). The FCoEA may include an HBA module. The HBA module may be configured to communicate over the Fiber Channel protocol. The FCoE enabled device may process and encapsulate the HBA module's communication in order to send them over an Ethernet network instead. The FCoE enabled device may process communications directed to various Fiber Channel fabric services by utilizing existing Ethernet services, such as an iSNS server. Thus, the FCoE enabled device can emulate a Fiber Channel network for the HBA module using the Ethernet network and one or more Existing Ethernet services/servers.

High performance ethernet networking utilizing existing fibre channel fabric HBA technology

A system and method for interconnecting physical channels is provided. The system includes a port containing an optical receiver, a port control module, a route determination module, and a connectivity module. The port control module is operably connected to a first physical channel to receive a Fiber Channel frame comprising data and a data header. The route determination module selects a route between the port control module and the second physical channel according to the data header. The connectivity module is operably connected to the port control module and to the route determination module. The connectivity apparatus may switch frames between the port control module and the second physical channel under control of the route determination module in order to transfer Fiber Channel frames to the second physical channel.

System and method for interconnecting physical channels

A system and method for routing data is provided. The system includes a communication interface, a FIFO and a processor module. The communication interface may transmit or receive data. The FIFO is operable to buffer data that has been received by the communication interface. The FIFO is also operable to buffer data that will be transmitted from the communication interface. The processor module is connected to the FIFO and is operable to monitor for data, decode a route according to the data, and move data according to the route and the amount of data in the FIFO.

System and method for routing data

Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for assigning Fiber Channel Domain identifiers with an iSNS Server, a Fiber Channel over Ethernet device interconnection apparatus controller (FIAC), and a Fiber Channel over Ethernet device interconnection apparatus (FIA). A Request Domain Identifier iSNS protocol message is sent from a FCoE device interconnection apparatus controller (FIAC) to a iSNS Server. A Fiber Channel Initialization Protocol (FIP) Fabric Login (FLOGI) frame is received from a Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) device by a FCoE device interconnection apparatus (FIA). The FIAC assigns a new Fiber Channel address identifier using the Domain Identifier assigned from the Request Domain Identifier response. At the FIAC, a FIP link service accept (LS_ACC) response is transmitted to the FIP FLOGI comprising the newly assigned Fiber Channel address identifier at the FIAC. At the FIA, the FIP LS_ACC is forwarded to the FCoE device that transmitted the FIP FLOGI frame.

Methods, systems and apparatus for utilizing an iSNS server in a network of fibre channel over ethernet devices

A system and method for data communication is provided. The system includes a first port, a transmission layer module and a signaling layer module. The transmission layer module supports a first priority and a second priority. The signaling layer module can route data between the first port and a second port and can route data between the first port and a third port. The signaling layer module supports alternate routing if one or both of the second port and the third port fail.

Interconnect system and method for ethernet networks

Methods are provided for forwarding Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) frames over a TRILL network by a FCoE device interconnection apparatus (FIA). A FCoE frame is received from a FCoE device at the FIA. The frame includes at least destination Ethernet MAC address and source Ethernet MAC address fields. The destination Ethernet MAC address of the incoming frame is replaced with the MAC address of the remote FCoE device as determined by the Fiber Channel destination address identifier in the received FCoE frame. The source Ethernet MAC address of the incoming frame is replaced. The frame is encapsulated in a TRILL header. The frame is forwarded to an egress FCoE device interconnection apparatus (FIA). The frame is then decapsulated into a FCoE frame, which is forwarded to an attached FCoE device with the original destination and source Ethernet MAC addresses.

Methods for the interconnection of fibre channel over ethernet devices using a trill network

Methods are provided for forwarding Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) frames over a TRILL network by a FCoE device interconnection apparatus (FIA). A FCoE frame is received from a FCoE device at the FIA. The frame includes at least destination Ethernet MAC address and source Ethernet MAC address fields. The destination Ethernet MAC address of the incoming frame is replaced with the MAC address of the remote FCoE device as determined by the Fiber Channel destination address identifier in the received frame. The source Ethernet MAC address of the incoming frame is replaced. The frame is encapsulated in a TRILL header. The frame is forwarded to an egress FCoE device interconnection apparatus (FIA). The frame is then decapsulated into a FCoE frame, which is forwarded to an attached FCoE device with the original destination and source Ethernet MAC addresses.

Methods for the interconnection of fibre channel over ethernet devices using shortest path bridging

A system and method for routing data is provided. The system includes a one or more ports, one or more bypass circuits, a data router, and a logic circuit. The one or more bypass circuits are connected to and corresponding in number to the one or more ports. The data router is connected to the one or more bypass circuits. The data router is operable to: monitor for data, decode a priority according to the data, and move data through the one or more bypass circuits according to the priority. The logic circuit is connected to the data router for interfacing to a system bus of a host computer.

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Newport Beach, CA, United States of America

Stuart B Berman