Abstract: A system for a distributed computing network for managing instrumentation information from a plurality of network-connected managed entities. One or more instrumentation processes are coupled to each of the network-connected managed entities and configured to gather performance metric values. A first classification process is responsive to information describing a type of input/output operation being performed and is configured to select one or more counters based upon the type of input/output operation being performed. A second classification process is coupled to receive a performance metric value from the one or more instrumentation processes. The second classification process is responsive to a computed logarithm of a measured value of at least one metric to select and increment a particular counter of the one or more counters selected by the first classification process.

Abstract: A method for automatically arbitrating for mastership of a fiber channel loop in a host adapter circuit configured for coupling a host electronic device with the fiber channel loop. The host adapter circuit has a processor and a loop control circuit different from the processor. The loop control circuit is coupled to a memory of the host adapter circuit. The method includes sending out a host ARBITRATE primitive on the fiber channel loop. The method further includes employing the loop control circuit to monitor received ARBITRATE primitives received at the host adapter circuit from the fiber channel loop. There is also included ascertaining, using the loop control circuit, whether one of the received ARBITRATE primitives represents the host ARBITRATE primitive sent out previously.

Abstract: A method, in a host adapter circuit configured for coupling a host electronic device with one of a fiber channel loop and a point-to-point communication channel, for receiving data at the host adapter circuit from one of the fiber channel loop and the point-to-point communication channel. The method includes providing a selectable control signal configured for indicating whether the host adapter circuit is coupled to the fiber channel loop or the point-to-point communication channel. The method further includes providing a front-end receive circuit. The front-end receive circuit is configured for coupling with an input data port. The input data port represents one of the fiber channel loop and the point-to-point communication channel. The method also includes coupling the front-end receive circuit with the selectable control signal.

Abstract: A method for passing mastership of a bus is described. According to the method, it is determined whether to use the bus. If the bus is to be used, it is determined whether the bus is available. If the bus is available, the bus is accessed and a signal is generated to indicate that the bus is being accessed. A timer is also started and access to the bus is yielded when the timer expires. A processor that passes mastership to a shared resource is also described. The processor comprises a resource accessing unit. The resource accessing unit allows the processor to access a resource upon receiving a first signal from a component coupled to the resource. The resource accessing unit yields access of the resource to the component upon receiving a second signal from the component.