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: 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: 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A high-speed Fiber Channel switch element in a Fiber Channel network is provided. The Fiber Channel switch element includes, a rate select module that allows a port in the Fiber Channel switch element to operate at a rate equal to and/or higher than 10 gigabits per second (“G”). The port may operate at 20 G, 40 G or at a rate greater than 40 G. Also, a cut status is provided for cut-through routing between ports operating at different speed. Plural transmit and receive lines are used for port operation at a rate equal to or higher than 10 G.

Abstract: A switch element and a method for routing packets in an IB Multi Level switch and network is provided. The method includes determining if alternate routing is enabled for a packet; determining an alternate route address for the packet, if alternate routing is enabled; and routing the packet using the alternate route address, if the alternate route address is valid. The switch element includes a routing table in a port that determines a base route address; and if alternate routing is enabled for a packet, the port determines an alternate route address for a packet; and routes the packet using the alternate route address.

Abstract: A fiber channel switch element and method for routing fiber channel frames is provided. The switch element includes a receive segment that can add a virtual storage area network (“VSAN”) tagging header to frames that are received by the receive segment; and strip the VSAN tagging header before frames are sent to ports that do not support virtual fabric capability. The receive segment includes a table used for matching fabric extension parameters. An incoming frame's VSAN identity value is compared to a control word entry to generate a value used for routing the incoming frame. The table is used to determine if a frame is part of a virtual fabric. The routing table for each port is used to route frames and the routing table includes entries for supported virtual fabrics.

Abstract: Method for and system validating a network packet is provided. The method includes receiving a network packet at a port of a network device, the packet including a first indicia value and a second indicia value; comparing the first indicia value of the packet with at least a first value stored at the network device; comparing the second indicia value of the packet with at least a second value stored at the network device; and processing the packet if the first indicia value matches with the first value and the second indicia value matches with the second value; wherein the first indicia value is a partition key that restricts communication between a packet source and at least one destination; and the second indicia value is one or more of a source address and a destination address, where a same physical port of a source is assigned more than one source address.

Abstract: Method for reporting bandwidth loss on a network link that couples a switch element to a network is provided. The method includes determining if credit is unavailable to transmit a packet and a packet is available at a switch port for transmission; determining bandwidth loss due to lack of credit; and reporting the bandwidth loss to a processor of the network switch. The switch element includes a processor for executing firmware code; a port for receiving and transmitting network packets; and a bandwidth loss logic that determines bandwidth loss if credit is unavailable to transmit a packet and the packet is available at the port; and reports the bandwidth loss to the processor.

Abstract: A high-speed Fibre Channel switch element in a Fibre Channel network is provided. The Fibre Channel switch element includes, a rate select module that allows a port in the Fibre Channel switch element to operate at a rate equal to and/or higher than 10 gigabits per second (“G”). The port may operate at 20 G, 40 G or at a rate greater than 40 G. Also, a cut status is provided for cut-through routing between ports operating at different speed. Plural transmit and receive lines are used for port operation at a rate equal to or higher than 10 G.

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: A high-speed Fiber Channel switch element in a Fiber Channel network is provided. The Fiber Channel switch element includes, a rate select module that allows a port in the Fiber Channel switch element to operate at a rate equal to and/or higher than 10 gigabits per second (“G”). The port may operate at 20G, 40G or at a rate greater than 40G. Also, a cut status is provided for cut-through routing between ports operating at different speed. Plural transmit and receive lines are used for port operation at a rate equal to or higher than 10G.

Abstract: Method and system for routing a network packet via a network switch is provided. The method includes receiving the network packet at the network switch; extracting a service level (“SL”) field value, a source local identifier (“SLID”) field value and a destination local identifier (“DLID”) field value from the network packet; determining if a virtual lane (“VL”) configuration mode is enabled; determining a VL based on one or more of the SLID field value, the DLID field value and a VL selection parameter, in addition to the SL field value, if the VL configuration mode is enabled; and routing the network packet using the determined VL value.

Abstract: Method and system for processing a management operation command received from a management entity is provided. The management operation command is received by an emulation module for a switch element operationally coupled to the management entity. The switch element includes a plurality of ports, each port having a plurality of components designated as managements devices. The emulation module determines if identification information for a management device in the command matches with identification information stored by the switch element to emulate the management device. If the information matches, then the management operation identified in the management operation command is performed by the emulation module interfacing with a switch element processor.

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.

Abstract: A method for routing frames is provided. The method comprises: receiving a frame at a receive port segment of a port for a switch element; generating a tag based on information included in the frame, where the tag identifies a location where the frame is stored in the receive port segment; transmitting the tag to a destination port for the frame; generating a request for the frame, wherein the destination port generates the request for the frame; transmitting the request for the frame to the port that received the frame, where a field in the request differentiates the request for the frame from the tag generated by the receive port segment of the port that received the frame; and transmitting the frame stored at the receive port segment, in response to the request sent by the destination port.

Abstract: A method for assigning virtual lanes (VL) in a fiber channel switch is provided. The fiber channel switch element includes a virtual lane cache that can compare incoming frame parameters based on which virtual lanes may be assigned; and a register to store parameters used for virtual lane assignment. The method includes, determining if VL assignment is to be based on an incoming frame parameter or a programmed value; determining if an incoming frame is a preferred frame; and assigning a preferred routing priority if the incoming frame is designated as a preferred frame. The method also includes, determining if a fabric topology is known; and assigning virtual lanes based on a known fabric topology.