Patents by Inventor Bruce H. Ratcliff

Bruce H. Ratcliff has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10931581
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for media access control (MAC) address learning are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include: receiving, by a processing device, a packet; determining, by the processing device, a packet type of the packet; and responsive to determining that the packet is a MAC learning packet type, updating, by the processing device, a MAC address table based on MAC address information associated with the packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bruce H. Ratcliff
  • Publication number: 20190280977
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for media access control (MAC) address learning are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include: receiving, by a processing device, a packet; determining, by the processing device, a packet type of the packet; and responsive to determining that the packet is a MAC learning packet type, updating, by the processing device, a MAC address table based on MAC address information associated with the packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventor: Bruce H. Ratcliff
  • Patent number: 10382335
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for media access control (MAC) address learning are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include: receiving, by a processing device, a packet; determining, by the processing device, a packet type of the packet; and responsive to determining that the packet is a MAC learning packet type, updating, by the processing device, a MAC address table based on MAC address information associated with the packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bruce H. Ratcliff
  • Patent number: 9973574
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for packet forwarding optimization across multiple nodes may include receiving, via a processor on a network controller, a first packet from a client. The first packet can include information indicative of a target node and a protocol type. The method may further include receiving, via the processor, a balancing node from a packet engine, forwarding, via the processor, the first packet to the target node though the balancing node according to a balancing node address, a target node address, and the protocol type, receiving, via the processor, a registration from the packet engine, and saving the registration to a network controller queue, and forwarding, via the network controller queue, a second packet to the target node based on the registration without the second packet traversing the balancing node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Herr, Grant S. Mericle, Bruce H. Ratcliff, Benjamin T. Rau
  • Publication number: 20180115486
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for media access control (MAC) address learning are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include: receiving, by a processing device, a packet; determining, by the processing device, a packet type of the packet; and responsive to determining that the packet is a MAC learning packet type, updating, by the processing device, a MAC address table based on MAC address information associated with the packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventor: Bruce H. Ratcliff
  • Publication number: 20180063230
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for packet forwarding optimization across multiple nodes may include receiving, via a processor on a network controller, a first packet from a client. The first packet can include information indicative of a target node and a protocol type. The method may further include receiving, via the processor, a balancing node from a packet engine, forwarding, via the processor, the first packet to the target node though the balancing node according to a balancing node address, a target node address, and the protocol type, receiving, via the processor, a registration from the packet engine, and saving the registration to a network controller queue, and forwarding, via the network controller queue, a second packet to the target node based on the registration without the second packet traversing the balancing node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: David A. Herr, Grant S. Mericle, Bruce H. Ratcliff, Benjamin T. Rau
  • Patent number: 9882972
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for packet forwarding optimization across multiple nodes may include receiving, via a processor on a network controller, a first packet from a client. The first packet can include information indicative of a target node and a protocol type. The method may further include receiving, via the processor, a balancing node from a packet engine, forwarding, via the processor, the first packet to the target node though the balancing node according to a balancing node address, a target node address, and the protocol type, receiving, via the processor, a registration from the packet engine, and saving the registration to a network controller queue, and forwarding, via the network controller queue, a second packet to the target node based on the registration without the second packet traversing the balancing node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Herr, Grant S. Mericle, Bruce H. Ratcliff, Benjamin T. Rau
  • Publication number: 20170126791
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for packet forwarding optimization across multiple nodes may include receiving, via a processor on a network controller, a first packet from a client. The first packet can include information indicative of a target node and a protocol type. The method may further include receiving, via the processor, a balancing node from a packet engine, forwarding, via the processor, the first packet to the target node though the balancing node according to a balancing node address, a target node address, and the protocol type, receiving, via the processor, a registration from the packet engine, and saving the registration to a network controller queue, and forwarding, via the network controller queue, a second packet to the target node based on the registration without the second packet traversing the balancing node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: David A. Herr, Grant S. Mericle, Bruce H. Ratcliff, Benjamin T. Rau
  • Patent number: 9565095
    Abstract: A first component of a computing environment receives, from a physical network adapter of the computing environment, a request that the first component take over processing of network frames directed to network frame address(es) associated with a second component of the computing environment. The first component register the network frame address(es) for processing of network frames directed to the network frame address(es). Based on the first component receiving from the physical network adapter a network frame directed to a network frame address of the network frame address(es) associated with the second component, the first component processes the received network frame, in which the network frame is provided to the second component via an inter-component link between the first component and the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Angelo Macchiano, Bruce H. Ratcliff, Richard P. Tarcza, Susan M. Farrell, Mary E. Carollo
  • Patent number: 9559940
    Abstract: A first component of a computing environment receives, from a physical network adapter of the computing environment, a request that the first component take over processing of network frames directed to network frame address(es) associated with a second component of the computing environment. The first component register the network frame address(es) for processing of network frames directed to the network frame address(es). Based on the first component receiving from the physical network adapter a network frame directed to a network frame address of the network frame address(es) associated with the second component, the first component processes the received network frame, in which the network frame is provided to the second component via an inter-component link between the first component and the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Angelo Macchiano, Bruce H. Ratcliff, Richard P. Tarcza, Susan M. Farrell, Mary E. Carollo
  • Patent number: 9313139
    Abstract: Virtual switches are established in a host system of a computing environment. Each virtual switch of the virtual switches includes a respective virtual switch port grouped within a shared port group of virtual switch ports. The virtual switch ports of the shared port group are in communication with a common physical network adapter of the host system. The virtual switch ports of the shared port group share a single physical port of the physical network adapter as part of a common physical link aggregation group (LAG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Angelo Macchiano, Bruce H. Ratcliff, Richard P. Tarcza, Susan M. Farrell, Mary E. Carollo
  • Patent number: 9300592
    Abstract: Virtual switches are established in a host system of a computing environment. Each virtual switch of the virtual switches includes a respective virtual switch port grouped within a shared port group of virtual switch ports. The virtual switch ports of the shared port group are in communication with a common physical network adapter of the host system. The virtual switch ports of the shared port group share a single physical port of the physical network adapter as part of a common physical link aggregation group (LAG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Angelo Macchiano, Bruce H. Ratcliff, Richard P. Tarcza, Susan M. Farrell, Mary E. Carollo
  • Publication number: 20150263970
    Abstract: A first component of a computing environment receives, from a physical network adapter of the computing environment, a request that the first component take over processing of network frames directed to network frame address(es) associated with a second component of the computing environment. The first component register the network frame address(es) for processing of network frames directed to the network frame address(es). Based on the first component receiving from the physical network adapter a network frame directed to a network frame address of the network frame address(es) associated with the second component, the first component processes the received network frame, in which the network frame is provided to the second component via an inter-component link between the first component and the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Angelo MACCHIANO, Bruce H. RATCLIFF, Richard P. TARCZA, Susan M. FARRELL, Mary E. CAROLLO
  • Publication number: 20150263971
    Abstract: Virtual switches are established in a host system of a computing environment. Each virtual switch of the virtual switches includes a respective virtual switch port grouped within a shared port group of virtual switch ports. The virtual switch ports of the shared port group are in communication with a common physical network adapter of the host system. The virtual switch ports of the shared port group share a single physical port of the physical network adapter as part of a common physical link aggregation group (LAG).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Angelo MACCHIANO, Bruce H. RATCLIFF, Richard P. TARCZA, Susan M. FARRELL, Mary E. CAROLLO
  • Publication number: 20150263991
    Abstract: Virtual switches are established in a host system of a computing environment. Each virtual switch of the virtual switches includes a respective virtual switch port grouped within a shared port group of virtual switch ports. The virtual switch ports of the shared port group are in communication with a common physical network adapter of the host system. The virtual switch ports of the shared port group share a single physical port of the physical network adapter as part of a common physical link aggregation group (LAG).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Angelo MACCHIANO, Bruce H. RATCLIFF, Richard P. TARCZA, Susan M. FARRELL, Mary E. CAROLLO
  • Publication number: 20150263937
    Abstract: A first component of a computing environment receives, from a physical network adapter of the computing environment, a request that the first component take over processing of network frames directed to network frame address(es) associated with a second component of the computing environment. The first component register the network frame address(es) for processing of network frames directed to the network frame address(es). Based on the first component receiving from the physical network adapter a network frame directed to a network frame address of the network frame address(es) associated with the second component, the first component processes the received network frame, in which the network frame is provided to the second component via an inter-component link between the first component and the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Angelo MACCHIANO, Bruce H. RATCLIFF, Richard P. TARCZA, Susan M. FARRELL, Mary E. CAROLLO
  • Patent number: 9135451
    Abstract: A data connection of a shared resource is placed in isolation mode to remove its ability to communicate with other data connections of the shared resource. This ability to isolate the data connection is dynamic in that it can be turned on/off at any time. This provides increased data security for the entities using the data connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Angelo Macchiano, Bruce H. Ratcliff, Forrest A. Schumacher, Jerry W. Stevens, Richard P. Tarcza, Stephen R. Valley, Frederick C. Wong
  • Patent number: 8918559
    Abstract: Partitioning of a variable length scatter gather list including a processor for performing a method that includes requesting data from an I/O device comprising an I/O buffer. The requesting includes initiating a subchannel. The method further includes determining whether the subchannel supports data divisions by requesting SSQD data from the I/O device and inspecting at least one bit in the SSQD data. A determination is made whether the requested data includes a metadata block in response to determining that the subchannel support data divisions. Also, the subchannel is notified that the requested data includes the metadata block in response to determining that the requested data includes the metadata block. A location of storage is identified in an SBAL in response to notifying the subchannel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Amann, Gerhard Banzhaf, Ralph Friedrich, Raymond M. Higgs, George P. Kuch, Bruce H. Ratcliff
  • Patent number: 8869118
    Abstract: System aware performance counters including a processor for performing a method that includes executing a predefined code segment of an application, the executing on a processor. The executing includes executing an instrumented thread included in the predefined code segment. The method includes performing a first action associated with executing the instrumented thread in the predefined code segment, and registering the instrumented thread. A performance counter associated with the predefined code segment is started. Also, the execution of the predefined code segment is paused and the performance counter is paused. The method further includes performing a second action associated with pausing the executing of the predefined code segment. The executing of the predefined code segment is resumed and the performance counter is resumed responsive to resuming the executing of the predefined code segment. Also, a third action associated with resuming executing the predefined code segment is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond M. Higgs, George P. Kuch, Bruce H. Ratcliff
  • Patent number: 8825892
    Abstract: A current value of a changing operating-system-level condition can be determined, wherein the operating-system level condition is a condition of a host related to an operating system resource utilization or an operating system experienced latency. The operating-system level condition can be a condition of a layer of the OSI model above the Data Link Layer. An inbound blocking factor algorithm can execute that uses the determined current value as a variable. A value for an inbound blocking factor can be generated as a result of executing the inbound blocking factor algorithm. The generated value can be utilized as the inbound blocking factor to determine a manner in which incoming messages are to be conveyed from a network adaptor, through an adaptor interface boundary, to an operating system of the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Maurice Isrel, Jr., Thomas D. Moore, Bruce H. Ratcliff, Jerry W. Stevens