Patents by Inventor Jeffrey W Palm
Jeffrey W Palm 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).
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Patent number: 8634294Abstract: In various embodiments a traffic class manager is a resource within a virtualized computer systems trusted entity (e.g. a hypervisor, trusted partition, etc.) that maps requirements from a platform management and associated network capabilities onto an adapter (e.g. SR-IOV adapter, etc.) in order to appropriately allocate adapter and network resources to virtualized computer partitions. In various embodiments the traffic class manager defines network traffic classes that meet the objectives of a platform administrator based on the capabilities of the adapter and the network attached to the adapter ports. Once the traffic classes are defined, in various embodiments, the traffic class manager enforces the assignment of a traffic class to a virtual interface queue pair within a partition.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2012Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Charles S. Graham, Carol T. Machuca, Jeffrey W. Palm, Renato J. Recio
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Patent number: 8571052Abstract: A Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) device obtains knowledge of the configuration of an attached Ethernet fabric during a fabric initialization or login (FLOGI) process. FCoE N_Ports obtain similar information during the port initialization or login (PLOGI) process. The FCoE device may provide network management services to attached FCoE devices. Embodiments include a management module or processor within an FCoE N_Port. The management module or processor receives information associated with an Ethernet fabric from the FCoE N_Ports and provides management services based on the information associated with the Ethernet fabric. The FCoE N_Port communicatively couples to at least one additional FCoE N_Port through the Ethernet fabric. The FCoE N_Ports may be implemented within a disc storage drive, a host bus adapter, and/or an FCoE switch. The capability of an N_Port to obtain this information allows a management module or processor at the N_Port to manage the Ethernet fabric.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2008Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Scott M. Carlson, Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Roger G. Hathorn, Jeffrey W. Palm, Sandy K. Kao, Renato J. Recio
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Patent number: 8402166Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing direct communications between FCoE endpoint devices within the same fibre channel network zone. A direct fibre channel (DFC) utility provides an FCoE stack with an exclusive ability to define an Ethertype within an ethertype field of an Ethernet packet with “FCoE”. In addition, the DFC utility enables storage of access control lists (ACLs) containing allowed destination addresses and allowed source addresses within the adapter of an FCoE endpoint. Additionally, the DFC utility initiates an exchange of messages with an Ethernet switch to determine a feasibility of establishing direct connections between endpoints. In particular, the DFC utility determines whether the Ethernet switch supports FCoE ACL checking. Further, the DFC utility creates a zone ID for the FCoE endpoint device. The DFC utility allows direct communication between FCoE endpoints within the same fibre zone.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Scott M. Carlson, Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Roger G. Hathorn, Sandy K. Kao, Jeffrey W. Palm, Renato J. Recio
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Patent number: 8396009Abstract: A network system supports multiple network communication protocols. In one embodiment, network device driver software provides a “Fibre Channel over Ethernet” communication capability and methodology. Device driver software manages a Fibre Channel to Ethernet and Ethernet to Fibre Channel address translation in real time for data packet communications in the network system. Different embodiments of the disclosed network system include multiple name servers and network device driver software that together provide multiple adapter name discovery methodologies. In one embodiment, the adapter name discovery methodologies include port name discovery and adapter attributes discovery.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2007Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Aaron C. Brown, Scott M. Carlson, Kevin J. Gildea, Roger G. Hathorn, Jeffrey W. Palm, Renato J. Recio
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Patent number: 8310953Abstract: A network system supports multiple network communication protocols. In one embodiment, network device driver software provides a “Fiber Channel over Ethernet” communication capability and methodology. Device driver software manages a Fiber Channel to Ethernet and Ethernet to Fiber Channel address translation in real time for data packet communications in the network system. Different embodiments of the disclosed network system include multiple name servers and network device driver software that together provide multiple adapter name discovery methodologies. In one embodiment, the adapter name discovery methodologies include port name discovery and adapter attributes discovery.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2007Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Aaron C. Brown, Scott M. Carlson, Kevin J. Gildea, Roger G. Hathorn, Jeffrey W. Palm, Renato J. Recio
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Patent number: 8307048Abstract: A network system supports multiple network communication protocols. An Ethernet component gateway in a Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) initiator system converts FCoE data packets from host devices to Fiber Channel over Internet Protocol (FCIP) data packets for transmission to a Storage Area Network (SAN) target system. The SAN target system may include a target Fiber Channel (FC) storage device and a SAN component gateway. The SAN component gateway converts FCIP data packets to SAN data packets for use by the target FC storage device. The SAN data packets may be either FC protocol data packets or FCoE protocol data packets. The SAN target system may provide for discovery of target FC storage device adapter information.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Aaron C Brown, Scott M Carlson, Daniel G Eisenhauer, Roger G Hathorn, Jeffrey W Palm, Renato J Recio, Gregory J Tevis
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Publication number: 20120188870Abstract: In various embodiments a traffic class manager is a resource within a virtualized computer systems trusted entity (e.g. a hypervisor, trusted partition, etc.) that maps requirements from a platform management and associated network capabilities onto an adapter (e.g. SR-IOV adapter, etc.) in order to appropriately allocate adapter and network resources to virtualized computer partitions. In various embodiments the traffic class manager defines network traffic classes that meet the objectives of a platform administrator based on the capabilities of the adapter and the network attached to the adapter ports. Once the traffic classes are defined, in various embodiments, the traffic class manager enforces the assignment of a traffic class to a virtual interface queue pair within a partition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Charles S. Graham, Carol T. Machuca, Jeffrey W. Palm, Renato J. Recio
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Patent number: 8218571Abstract: A Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) device obtains knowledge of the configuration of an attached Ethernet fabric from data fields within a frame header during a fabric initialization or login (FLOGI) process. FCoE N_Ports obtain similar information during the port initialization or login (PLOGI) process. The FCoE device may provide network management services to attached FCoE devices. Embodiments include a management module or processor within an FCoE N_Port. The management module or processor receives a frame having a header and validates and extracts information associated with an Ethernet fabric from the FCoE N_Ports and in order to provide management services based on the information associated with the Ethernet fabric. The FCoE N_Port communicatively couples to at least one additional FCoE N_Port through the Ethernet fabric. The FCoE N_Ports may be implemented within a disc storage drive, a host bus adapter, and/or an FCoE switch.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Scott M. Carlson, Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Roger G. Hathorn, Jeffrey W. Palm, Sandy K. Kao, Renato J. Recio
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Patent number: 8208396Abstract: In various embodiments a traffic class manager is a resource within a virtualized computer systems trusted entity (i.e. a hypervisor, trusted partition, etc.) which maps requirements from a platform management and associated network capabilities onto an SR-IOV adapter in order to appropriately allocate SR-IOV adapter and network resources to the virtualized computer partitions. In various embodiments the traffic class manager defines network traffic classes that meet the objectives of a platform administrator based on the capabilities of the SR-IOV adapter and the network attached to the adapter ports. Once the traffic classes are defined, in various embodiments, the traffic class manager enforces the assignment of a traffic class to a virtual interface queue pair within a partition.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Charles S. Graham, Carol T. Machuca, Jeffrey W. Palm, Renato J. Recio
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Patent number: 8171282Abstract: An encryption method encrypts a clear text twice using a first encryption engine to produce a first cipher text and a second encryption engine to produce a second cipher text. The method compares the first cipher text with the second cipher text, or compares a checksum of the first cipher text with a checksum of the second cipher text. If the comparison succeeds, the method transmits the data. In some embodiments, the method uses a first instance of an encryption key to produce the first cipher text and a second instance of the encryption key to produce the second cipher text.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2007Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Stefan Amann, Gerhard Banzhaf, Kenneth W. Boyd, Daniel F. Casper, John R. Flanagan, Jeffrey W. Palm, Harry M. Yudenfriend
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Patent number: 7944812Abstract: A method for detecting a switch failure and managing switch failover in a Fiber Channel over Ethernet network. The plurality of Fiber Channel over Ethernet switches are connected to an intermediary Ethernet switch and to each other via an Ethernet connection. The intermediary Ethernet switch is different from the plurality of Fiber Channel over Ethernet switches. A plurality of end ports are also connected to the intermediary Ethernet switch. A failure is detected in a first switch in the plurality of Fiber Channel over Ethernet switches. The first switch is associated with a first end port in the plurality of end ports. A failure notification is sent to the first end port using the intermediary Ethernet switch. The failure notification might specify a second switch destination and an identification of the first switch. A fabric login is exchanged between the first end port and the second switch.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Scott M. Carlson, Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Roger G. Hathorn, Sandy K. Kao, Jeffrey W. Palm, Renato J. Recio
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Publication number: 20100290467Abstract: In various embodiments a traffic class manager is a resource within a virtualized computer systems trusted entity (i.e. a hypervisor, trusted partition, etc.) which maps requirements from a platform management and associated network capabilities onto an SR-IOV adapter in order to appropriately allocate SR-IOV adapter and network resources to the virtualized computer partitions. In various embodiments the traffic class manager defines network traffic classes that meet the objectives of a platform administrator based on the capabilities of the SR-IOV adapter and the network attached to the adapter ports. Once the traffic classes are defined, in various embodiments, the traffic class manager enforces the assignment of a traffic class to a virtual interface queue pair within a partition.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Charles S. Graham, Carol T. Machuca, Jeffrey W. Palm, Renato J. Recio
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Patent number: 7792148Abstract: A system for using a virtual switch in a network. In response to a switch connecting to a network, network configuration data is read to determine whether the switch is part of a virtual switch. In response to determining that the switch is part of the virtual switch, a priority number for the switch is sent to other switches connected to the network. Priority numbers are received from the other switches. It is determined whether the switch has a highest priority number. In response to determining that the switch does have the highest priority number, the switch is selected to be a master switch for the virtual switch. Then, domain identification data for the virtual switch is sent to the other switches. Afterward, the switch and the other switches respond to requests over the network as one domain identified by the domain identification data.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Scott M Carlson, Daniel G Eisenhauer, Roger G Hathorn, Sandy K Kao, Jeffrey W Palm, Renato J Recio
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Publication number: 20100103939Abstract: A Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) device obtains knowledge of the configuration of an attached Ethernet fabric during a fabric initialization or login (FLOGI) process. FCoE N_Ports obtain similar information during the port initialization or login (PLOGI) process. The FCoE device may provide network management services to attached FCoE devices. Embodiments include a management module or processor within an FCoE N_Port. The management module or processor receives information associated with an Ethernet fabric from the FCoE N_Ports and provides management services based on the information associated with the Ethernet fabric. The FCoE N_Port communicatively couples to at least one additional FCoE N_Port through the Ethernet fabric. The FCoE N_Ports may be implemented within a disc storage drive, a host bus adapter, and/or an FCoE switch. The capability of an N_Port to obtain this information allows a management module or processor at the N_Port to manage the Ethernet fabric.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventors: Scott M. Carlson, Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Roger G. Hathorn, Jeffrey W. Palm, Sandy K. Kao, Renato J. Recio
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Publication number: 20100104280Abstract: A Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) device obtains knowledge of the configuration of an attached Ethernet fabric from data fields within a frame header during a fabric initialization or login (FLOGI) process. FCoE N_Ports obtain similar information during the port initialization or login (PLOGI) process. The FCoE device may provide network management services to attached FCoE devices. Embodiments include a management module or processor within an FCoE N_Port. The management module or processor receives a frame having a header and validates and extracts information associated with an Ethernet fabric from the FCoE N_Ports and in order to provide management services based on the information associated with the Ethernet fabric. The FCoE N_Port communicatively couples to at least one additional FCoE N_Port through the Ethernet fabric. The FCoE N_Ports may be implemented within a disc storage drive, a host bus adapter, and/or an FCoE switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventors: Scott M. Carlson, Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Roger G. Hathorn, Jeffrey W. Palm, Sandy K. Kao, Renato J. Recio
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Publication number: 20100097941Abstract: A method for detecting a switch failure and managing switch failover in a Fibre Channel over Ethernet network. The plurality of Fibre Channel over Ethernet switches are connected to an intermediary Ethernet switch and to each other via an Ethernet connection. The intermediary Ethernet switch is different from the plurality of Fibre Channel over Ethernet switches. A plurality of end polls are also connected to the intermediary Ethernet switch. A failure is detected in a first switch in the plurality of Fibre Channel over Ethernet switches. The first switch is associated with a first end port in the plurality of end ports. A failure notification is sent to the first end port using the intermediary Ethernet switch. The failure notification might specify a second switch destination and an identification of the first switch. A fabric login is exchanged between the first end port and the second switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2008Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Scott M. Carlson, Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Roger G. Hathorn, Sandy K. Kao, Jeffrey W. Palm, Renato J. Recio
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Publication number: 20100017497Abstract: A network system supports multiple network communication protocols. An Ethernet component gateway in a Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) initiator system converts FCoE data packets from host devices to Fibre Channel over Internet Protocol (FCIP) data packets for transmission to a Storage Area Network (SAN) target system. The SAN target system may include a target Fibre Channel (FC) storage device and a SAN component gateway. The SAN component gateway converts FCIP data packets to SAN data packets for use by the target FC storage device. The SAN data packets may be either FC protocol data packets or FCoE protocol data packets. The SAN target system may provide for discovery of target FC storage device adapter information.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Aaron C. Brown, Scott M. Carlson, Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Roger G. Hathorn, Jeffrey W. Palm, Renato J. Recio, Gregory J. Tevis
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Publication number: 20090276526Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing direct communications between FCoE endpoint devices within the same fibre channel network zone. A direct fibre channel (DFC) utility provides an FCoE stack with an exclusive ability to define an Ethertype within an ethertype field of an Ethernet packet with “FCoE”. In addition, the DFC utility enables storage of access control lists (ACLs) containing allowed destination addresses and allowed source addresses within the adapter of an FCoE endpoint. Additionally, the DFC utility initiates an exchange of messages with an Ethernet switch to determine a feasibility of establishing direct connections between endpoints. In particular, the DFC utility determines whether the Ethernet switch supports FCoE ACL checking. Further, the DFC utility creates a zone ID for the FCoE endpoint device. The DFC utility allows direct communication between FCoE endpoints within the same fibre zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Inventors: Scott M. Carlson, Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Roger G. Hathorn, Sandy K. Kao, Jeffrey W. Palm, Renato J. Recio
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Publication number: 20090245242Abstract: A system for using a virtual switch in a network. In response to a switch connecting to a network, network configuration data is read to determine whether the switch is part of a virtual switch. In response to determining that the switch is part of the virtual switch, a priority number for the switch is sent to other switches connected to the network. Priority numbers are received from the other switches. It is determined whether the switch has a highest priority number. In response to determining that the switch does have the highest priority number, the switch is selected to be a master switch for the virtual switch. Then, domain identification data for the virtual switch is sent to the other switches. Afterward, the switch and the other switches respond to requests over the network as one domain identified by the domain identification data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Scott M. Carlson, Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Roger G. Hathorn, Sandy K. Kao, Jeffrey W. Palm, Renato J. Recio
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Publication number: 20090132802Abstract: An encryption method encrypts a clear text twice using a first encryption engine to produce a first cipher text and a second encryption engine to produce a second cipher text. The method compares the first cipher text with the second cipher text, or compares a checksum of the first cipher text with a checksum of the second cipher text. If the comparison succeeds, the method transmits the data. In some embodiments, the method uses a first instance of an encryption key to produce the first cipher text and a second instance of the encryption key to produce the second cipher text.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventors: Stefan Amann, Gerhard Banzhaf, Kenneth W. Boyd, Daniel F. Casper, John R. Flanagan, Jeffrey W. Palm, Harry M. Yudenfriend