Abstract: A network interface adapter provides a host processor with two complementary modes of submitting descriptors to be executed by the adapter: a normal mode, in which the host writes descriptors to a system memory and rings an assigned doorbell to notify the adapter; and a priority mode, in which the host writes the descriptor itself to a doorbell address of the adapter. In the priority mode, the adapter is relieved of the need to read the descriptor from the memory, and can thus begin execution as soon as it has resources available to do so.

Abstract: A network interface adapter includes an outgoing packet generator, adapted to generate an outgoing request packet for delivery to a remote responder responsive to a request submitted by a host processor and a network output port, coupled to transmit the outgoing request packet over a network to the remote responder. A network input port receives an incoming response packet from the remote responder, in response to the outgoing request packet sent thereto, as well as an incoming request packet sent by a remote requester. An incoming packet processor receives and processes both the incoming response packet and the incoming request packet, and causes the outgoing packet generator, responsive to the incoming request packet, to generate, in addition to the outgoing request packet, an outgoing response packet for transmission to the remote requester.

Abstract: An interface adapter for a packet network includes a first plurality of execution engines, coupled to a host interface so as to read from a memory work items corresponding to messages to be sent over the network, and to generate gather entries defining packets to be transmitted over the network responsive to the work items. A scheduling processor assigns the work items to the execution engines for generation of the gather entries. Switching circuitry couples the execution engines to a plurality of gather engines, which generate the packets responsive to the gather entries.

Abstract: A network interface adapter provides a host processor with two complementary modes of submitting descriptors to be executed by the adapter: a normal mode, in which the host writes descriptors to a system memory and rings an assigned doorbell to notify the adapter; and a priority mode, in which the host writes the descriptor itself to a doorbell address of the adapter. In the priority mode, the adapter is relieved of the need to read the descriptor from the memory, and can thus begin execution as soon as it has resources available to do so.

Abstract: An interface adapter for a packet network includes a first plurality of execution engines, coupled to a host interface so as to read from a memory work items corresponding to messages to be sent over the network, and to generate gather entries defining packets to be transmitted over the network responsive to the work items. A scheduling processor assigns the work items to the execution engines for generation of the gather entries. Switching circuitry couples the execution engines to a plurality of gather engines, which generate the packets responsive to the gather entries.

Abstract: A network interface adapter includes an outgoing packet generator, adapted to generate an outgoing request packet for delivery to a remote responder responsive to a request submitted by a host processor and a network output port, coupled to transmit the outgoing request packet over a network to the remote responder. A network input port receives an incoming response packet from the remote responder, in response to the outgoing request packet sent thereto, as well as an incoming request packet sent by a remote requester. An incoming packet processor receives and processes both the incoming response packet and the incoming request packet, and causes the outgoing packet generator, responsive to the incoming request packet, to generate, in addition to the outgoing request packet, an outgoing response packet for transmission to the remote requester.