Abstract: A network comprises a plurality of interconnected switches that implement a topology database synchronization technique in which each switch determines whether its topology database has already been transmitted to a neighboring switch when a new link is formed to the neighboring switch. When a new electrical connection is detected, the local switch determines whether any of its other ports have already been connected to the same neighboring switch. If no other port on the local switch has been connected to the neighboring switch, the local switch transmits its topology database to the neighboring switch. If the local switch determines that it has already been connected to the neighboring switch via another one of its ports, the local switch does not yet again copy of the database to the neighboring switch. Also, link state record updates are propagated via only one inter-switch link to a neighboring switch, not all possible links.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gathering troubleshooting information through one or more networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises a switch port configured to receive a frame that has information added by another switch. As the frame traverses the network, control logic in the switch adds additional information into the frame from the current switch.

Abstract: A method of initializing a Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) link between a Fiber Channel over Ethernet node (ENode) and Fiber Channel Forwarders (FCFs) in a network by discovering the presence of FCFs available to the ENode and other FCFs, assigning second MAC addresses to the ENode corresponding to each available FCF, and converting from a management and initialization process using the first MAC address to normal Fiber Channel operation using the second MAC addresses. The implementations described herein may additionally distinguish management and initialization processes from normal Fiber Channel operation using separate Ethertypes.

Abstract: A network comprises a plurality of interconnected switches that implement a topology database synchronization technique in which each switch determines whether its topology database has already been transmitted to a neighboring switch when a new link is formed to the neighboring switch. When a new electrical connection is detected, the local switch determines whether any of its other ports have already been connected to the same neighboring switch. If no other port on the local switch has been connected to the neighboring switch, the local switch transmits its topology database to the neighboring switch. If the local switch determines that it has already been connected to the neighboring switch via another one of its ports, the local switch does not yet again copy of the database to the neighboring switch. Also, link state record updates are propagated via only one inter-switch link to a neighboring switch, not all possible links.

Abstract: A network comprises a plurality of interconnected switches that implement a topology database synchronization technique in which each switch determines whether its topology database has already been transmitted to a neighboring switch when a new link is formed to the neighboring switch. When a new electrical connection is detected, the local switch determines whether any of its other ports have already been connected to the same neighboring switch. If no other port on the local switch has been connected to the neighboring switch, the local switch transmits its topology database to the neighboring switch. If the local switch determines that it has already been connected to the neighboring switch via another one of its ports, the local switch does not yet again copy of the database to the neighboring switch. Also, link state record updates are propagated via only one inter-switch link to a neighboring switch, not all possible links.

Abstract: A method of initializing a Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) link between a Fibre Channel over Ethernet node (ENode) and Fibre Channel Forwarders (FCFs) in a network by discovering the presence of FCFs available to the ENode and other FCFs, assigning second MAC addresses to the ENode corresponding to each available FCF, and converting from a management and initialization process using the first MAC address to normal Fibre Channel operation using the second MAC addresses. The implementations described herein may additionally distinguish management and initialization processes from normal Fibre Channel operation using separate Ethertypes.

Abstract: A network comprises a plurality of interconnected switches. At least one pair of switches is interconnected by a trunk formed from a plurality of individual links. A cost value is assigned to the trunk that is equal to the cost of one of the trunk's individual links. As such, a trunk is considered the same as an individual link when shortest path calculations are made. When multiple paths are computed as having the same lowest cost, the system balances load traffic between such lowest cost paths in a way that takes advantage of the higher bandwidth capabilities of trunks.

Abstract: Storage area network (SAN) switches having greater storage capacity to allow greater data logging and storage of larger, more complicated tables for zoning and other table-based applications. A hard disk drive can be included in the switch, with data logging performed to the hard disk drive and with the hard disk drive serving as a second level of virtualization to provide storage of large tables. In a variation, the data logging of the switch, and any other devices on the SAN, can be directed to an area or areas of one or more storage units attached to the SAN.

Abstract: The use of multicast transmission for all the data that has to be sent directly from one switch to every switch in the fabric, such as Fabric Service commands. This does not include data flooded through the fabric (as opposed to being sent to each switch individually) like ELPs or FSPF updates. With multicast transmission, a switch needs to execute only one transmission operation to send the same copy of a message to all other switches. Only one copy needs to be queued, and only one copy at the most traverses an ISL in the fabric.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for in-order delivery of frames in Fiber Channel communication networks during topology change. When a topology change has rendered an old path between two switches or end devices infeasible, a new path is determined to replace the old path. To ensure in-order delivery of frames, the new path is activated only after the lapse of a hold-down period. The hold-down period may be calculated as the maximum time required for frames within the old path immediately prior to the topology change to reach the destination switch or device. The calculation may utilize information available from the Fiber Channel shortest path first (FSPF) protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gathering troubleshooting information through one or more networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises a switch port configured to receive a frame that has information added by another switch. As the frame traverses the network, control logic in the switch adds additional information into the frame from the current switch.

Abstract: A system for remotely managing a device over a network comprises a data sampling engine, for receiving new data from the device, the new data corresponding to a component module of the device; a model object, coupled to the data sampling engine, for comparing the new data from the device with old data; and a view object, coupled to the model object, for updating the graphical representation of the device corresponding to the component module of the device. In a preferred embodiment, the device is a fiber channel switch. A method for managing a network device comprises the steps of: receiving new device data from the data sampling engine, the new device data corresponding to information regarding a particular module of the device; comparing the new device data with a set of old device data, the old device data corresponding to information which was received prior to receiving the new device data and which regards the particular module of the device; and transmitting a notification signal to the view object.

Abstract: Include storage area network (SAN) switches having greater storage capacity to allow greater data logging and storage of larger, more complicated tables for zoning and other table-based applications. A hard disk drive can be included in the switch, with data logging performed to the hard disk drive and with the hard disk drive serving as a second level of virtualization to provide storage of large tables. In a variation, the data logging of the switch, and any other devices on the SAN, can be directed to an area or areas of one or more storage units attached to the SAN.

Abstract: Storage area network (SAN) switches having greater storage capacity to allow greater data logging and storage of larger, more complicated tables for zoning and other table-based applications. A hard disk drive can be included in the switch, with data logging performed to the hard disk drive and with the hard disk drive serving as a second level of virtualization to provide storage of large tables. In a variation, the data logging of the switch, and any other devices on the SAN, can be directed to an area or areas of one or more storage units attached to the SAN.

Abstract: A network comprises a plurality of interconnected switches. At least one pair of switches is interconnected by a trunk formed from a plurality of individual links. A cost value is assigned to the trunk that is equal to the cost of one of the trunk's individual links. As such, a trunk is considered the same as an individual link when shortest path calculations are made. When multiple paths are computed as having the same lowest cost, the system balances load traffic between such lowest cost paths in a way that takes advantage of the higher bandwidth capabilities of trunks.

Abstract: A network comprises a plurality of interconnected switches that implement a topology database synchronization technique in which each switch determines whether its topology database has already been transmitted to a neighboring switch when a new link is formed to the neighboring switch. When a new electrical connection is detected, the local switch determines whether any of its other ports have already been connected to the same neighboring switch. If no other port on the local switch has been connected to the neighboring switch, the local switch transmits its topology database to the neighboring switch. If the local switch determines that it has already been connected to the neighboring switch via another one of its ports, the local switch does not yet again copy of the database to the neighboring switch. Also, link state record updates are propagated via only one inter-switch link to a neighboring switch, not all possible links.

Abstract: In a communication network system having a multi-switch Fiber Channel fabric, switches are in communication through a plurality of paths. To distribute the traffic load, more than one path can be used for any source-destination pair. However, due to limitations under the Fiber Channel standard, in-order delivery is required for certain data frames, such as those belonging to the same sequence or exchange. To avoid compromising the in-order requirement, a dynamic path selection scheme is devised. In one embodiment, a hash function is used to categorize data frames into sequences and to distribute the load in a pseudo-random manner. In another embodiment, a multiple-field routing table is used to assign arbitrary paths to different sequences.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for in-order delivery of frames in Fibre Channel communication networks during topology change. When a topology change has rendered an old path between two switches or end devices infeasible, a new path is determined to replace the old path. To ensure in-order delivery of frames, the new path is activated only after the lapse of a hold-down period. The hold-down period may be calculated as the maximum time required for frames within the old path immediately prior to the topology change to reach the destination switch or device. The calculation may utilize information available from the Fibre Channel shortest path first (FSPF) protocol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting broadcast storms in an emulated Local Area Network are provided. The broadcast rates of the nodes in the emulated Local Area Network are monitored during monitoring periods. The broadcast rate for a node is the rate at which a LAN emulation server receives broadcast messages from the node during a monitoring period. Each of the broadcast rates is compared with a maximum allowed broadcast rate. If any of the broadcast rates exceeds the maximum allowed broadcast rate, then it is determined that a broadcast storm is occurring. Once it is determined that a broadcast storm is occurring, various countermeasures can be taken. For example, a warning indication may be generated, messages from the node that is causing the broadcast storm may be ignored until the broadcast storm stops, or the node that is causing the broadcast storm may be removed from the emulated Local Area Network.