Abstract: Methods and systems for a network device having a plurality of base-ports, each base-port having a plurality of sub-ports configured to operate independently as a port for sending and receiving information using one of a plurality of network links at a plurality of rates complying with a plurality of protocols. The network device includes a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) module for storing a plurality of entries for routing frames that are received for the plurality of sub-ports complying with the plurality of protocols. Each TCAM entry has an associated history value that is used by a processor for the network device to purge TCAM entries based on an age of the TCAM entries.

Abstract: Method and system for managing a maximum payload size (MPS) between a host system and an adapter is provided. The method includes storing a host maximum payload size (MPS) value of the host system as an adapter MPS value for the adapter operationally coupled to the host system; storing a host identifier at the adapter for identifying the host system; setting an adapter MPS value to the host MPS value; resetting the adapter MPS value to a default value after an event; and restoring the adapter MPS value to the host MPS value when the host identifier stored at the adapter matches with a host identifier value stored by the host system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a network device are provided. The network device includes a stage one arbiter for a base-port for determining if there are any pending requests; blocking any other requests from a same receive queue destined for a same sub-port, same physical transmit queue, and same virtual transmit queue when there are any pending requests; selecting a group of requests with a highest priority and available resources; selecting at least two of the highest priority requests; selecting an oldest one of the requests having the same priority when there are requests with a same priority; sending the selected requests to a stage two arbiter for the base-port; and determining if any new requests have been made or if any previously pending requests have been removed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a network device are provided. The network device includes a plurality of base-ports, where each base-port is coupled to a plurality of network links and each base-port has a plurality of sub-ports. The network device includes a transmit segment having a modifier shared by the plurality of sub-ports for modifying frames that are modified prior to being transmitted using the plurality of network links. The modifier uses a translation data structure to obtain information to modify a frame before transmission, where the translation data structure includes a plurality of entries, each entry stored in a queue that is uniquely identified by an identifier, and the identifier is extracted from a grant to transmit the frame and then used to obtain frame modification information from one of the plurality of entries. Frame modification when performed by the modifier depends on a frame type and sub-port configuration.

Abstract: Method and system for a network device configured to control access to other devices in a network is provided. The network device includes a port configured to receive a frame. The port includes a plurality of sub-ports configured to operate as independent ports for sending and receiving frames using one of a plurality of network links at a plurality of rates and complying with a plurality of protocols. The network device also includes a source address look up table (ALUT) and a destination address look up table (LLUT), wherein when the frame is received the network device is configured to compare a source identifier of the frame and a destination identifier of the frame to the ALUT and the LLUT. When one ALUT table entry matches the source identifier of the frame, the network device outputs a bit map of zones based on the source identifier of the frame, compares the output bit map of zones with a zone bit map of the LLUT, and when there are any matching bits between the two maps, transmits the frame.

Abstract: A switching element and methods thereof are provided. The switching element includes a port from among a plurality of ports, which when configured to operate as a network protocol port sends and receives network information and when configured to operate as a storage protocol port sends and receives storage information. The port includes a control segment for generating a control signal for setting an operating mode of a serial and de-serializer (SERDES). The operating mode of the SERDES is selected based on whether the port is configured to operate as a network protocol port or as a storage protocol port.

Abstract: In certain embodiments host system drivers communicate with one another via messages posted to mailbox registers in a network adapter. Executable code within the network adapter's memory notifies host system drivers of posted messages, waits for acknowledgments from the drivers and sends a completion notification to the host system drivers.

Abstract: Methods and device coupled to a computing device and a network device are provided. A first module receives a first packet and a second packet via a same single data path from the computing device. A second module receives the first packet at a first buffer via a first path and the second packet at a second buffer via a second path. The first module uses a steering mechanism to steer the first packet in the first path and the second packet in the second path. The second module uses an arbitration module to select the first packet and the second packet for maintaining an order in which the first packet and the second packet are received and for sending the first packet and the second packet to a third module for further processing.

Abstract: Method and system for maximizing data transmission between a first network device and a second network device connected to a network, is provided. A data transmission pause request received from a port of the first network device by a port of the second network device. The process then determines if the first network device's port can receive additional data; and transmits additional data to the first network device from the second network device if the first network device's port can receive additional data.

Abstract: Method and system for aggregating frames at a network device coupled to computing system is provided. The network device includes an aggregator module that is configured to determine that a frame received by the device meets a first level eligibility criterion for aggregation, where the frame meets the first level eligibility criterion when the frame is a data frame for the I/O exchange identified as a large I/O operation; and a frame header meets an eligibility criterion. When the frame does not meet the first level eligibility criterion and an active aggregation exists for the exchange, then a previous aggregation data unit with an appended header and the received frame are sent to a transport layer for further processing. When the frame meets the first level eligibility criterion, the aggregator module checks a data structure maintained by the network device to determine that an aggregation flow exists for the exchange.

Abstract: A network device is provided. The network device includes a processor having access to a memory storage device storing instructions for execution by the processor; and a first flexible port having a physical layer that can be configured to operate as a first link type or a second link type based on a control signal sent by the processor. The first flexible port receives a packet from the computing system. The first flexible port determines an egress flexible port for transmitting the packet to its destination. A routing module generates a route control tag for the packet that includes an identifier identifying the egress flexible port, a location identifier identifying where the packet is stored at the first flexible port and a translation identifier identifying an action that is to be performed on the packet at the egress port before sending the packet to the destination.

Abstract: Method and system for establishing asymmetric transfer rates between a first node and a second node communicating with each other via a network link using Ethernet as a network protocol is provided. The method includes determining during a negotiation process that the first node and the second node have compatible asymmetric capability to set a first rate for transmitting information via the network link and a second rate for receiving information via the network link using Ethernet as the network protocol; and establishing the first rate for transmitting information and the second rate for receiving information. Furthermore, the first node includes a first port having a receive segment and a transmit segment. The transmit segment and the receive segment have separate PLL modules such that the transmit segment can transmit data at a first rate and the receive segment can receive data at a second rate via the network link.

Abstract: Method and system for rate matching in networks is provided. The method includes setting a strobe counter of a network device equal to an initial value; and determining whether a current clock phase matches a clock phase during which a first sub-port from among a plurality of sub-ports is designated to read from a memory at a receive segment of the network device. When the current clock phase matches the designated clock phase for the first sub-port, determining if the strobe counter is equal to one of a plurality of mask values; and when the strobe counter is not equal to one of the mask values, reading data out of the memory.

Abstract: A single-ported memory for storing information and only accessible to a plurality of clients, and a dual-ported memory for storing links and accessible to the plurality of clients and to a list manager that maintains a data structure for allocating memory blocks from the first memory and the second memory to the plurality of clients. The dual-ported memory is accessible to both the plurality of clients and the list manager. A method includes receiving a request from a client for access to memory storage at the single-ported memory and the dual-ported memory, and allocating a block of the single-ported memory to the client and a block of the dual-ported memory to the client. After the client has used the memory storage, the allocated block of the single-ported memory and the dual-ported memory are released to a free list data structure used by the list manager to assign storage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing power consumption in a host bus adapter (HBA) are provided. The methods include reducing a number of active lanes in an HBA link when link traffic is low, and increasing the number of active lanes when link traffic is high.

Abstract: Method and system for an initiator device communicating with a target device are provided. The initiator device sends an inquiry to the target device to determine if the target device supports dynamic parameter setting of certain operating parameters used by both the initiator device and the target device for sending and receiving information from each other. The initiator device receives parameters from the target device, when the target device supports dynamic parameter settings. The initiator device translates parameters received from the target device; and sets operating parameters at the initiator device based on the received parameters from the target device.

Abstract: Tools for removing connectors from ports in a network device, and related systems and methods. The tool is elongate with at least one prong at a distal end. The tool includes a very slight width relative to either its length or width, such that it can be inserted into a space adjacent a connector disposed in a port, such as between closely spaced adjacent connectors. The at least one prong is received in an anchor point, such as an opening, in the network device. Pivoting the tool applies a compressive force to a latch of the connector, disengaging the latch from its respective catch on the port, after which it can be removed by pulling it out of the port.

Abstract: Method and system for application isolation is provided. A computing system executes a plurality of processor executable applications and each application is assigned an address by an adapter that is operationally coupled to the computing system. The adapter also assigns a unique identifier to each construct generated by the plurality of applications; maintains a data structure associating the address with the unique identifier assigned to each construct; receives a request having an address and a unique identifier from an application from among the plurality of applications; retrieves the address and the unique identifier from the request; compares the retrieved address and the unique identifier with information maintained by the data structure; and processes the request if the retrieved address and the unique identifier matches with information of the data structure.

Abstract: An electronic device with a housing or enclosure. At least one heat-generating electronic component is contained within the housing. The electronic device further comprises a fan module configured to direct cooling air over the at least one heat-generating electronic component. The fan module is pivotably secured to the housing and capable of pivoting through at least 180°, such that the cooling air can be directed in a front-to-back flow path or a back-to-front flow path. Either of a manufacturer and a customer can reconfigure the direction of airflow.

Abstract: Method and system for a network switch element is provided. The switch element includes a plurality of megaports, each megaport uniquely identified by a unique megaport address identifier for network addressing. Each megaport includes a plurality of operational ports, each operational port identified by a unique operational port address identifier. The switch element also includes a local crossbar for communication between the plurality of operational ports, and a shared logic module configured to provide common control of the plurality of operational ports within a megaport to allow operational ports to share resource of a single megaport to route network packets there between. The switch element also includes a global crossbar configured to allow communication between the megaports.