Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for configuring an interconnect device includes a non-volatile storage device to store configuration data associated with the interconnect device and a configuration interface to request the configuration data from the non-volatile storage device. Further, the system includes an initialization module to query the configuration interface for the configuration data and to distribute the configuration data provided by the configuration interface to multiple units within the interconnect device.

Abstract: A method and management port for an indirect loop protocol associated with an interconnect device. In one embodiment, a method to handle a request sent to an interconnect device includes receiving the request at a destination switch from a host network adapter; generating a response to the request in the destination switch; and returning the response to the host network adapter, wherein the destination switch includes a management port for addressing the interconnect device that implements an indirect loop protocol.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for configuring an interconnect device includes a non-volatile storage device to store configuration data associated with the interconnect device and a configuration interface to request the configuration data from the non-volatile storage device. Further, the system includes an initialization module to query the configuration interface for the configuration data and to distribute the configuration data provided by the configuration interface to multiple units within the interconnect device.

Abstract: An interconnect device for transmitting data packets includes a plurality of ports, a hub, an arbiter and an output buffer. The hub connects the plurality of ports. The arbiter is coupled to the hub and controls transmission of data packets between the hub and the ports. The output buffer is in at least one of the ports, and is coupled to the hub over more than one feed such that the output buffer can receive a plurality of data packets in parallel from the hub.

Abstract: An interconnect device for transmitting data packets includes a plurality of ports, a hub, and an arbiter. The hub is configured to connect the plurality of ports together. The arbiter is coupled to the hub for controlling transmission of data packets between the hub and the ports. A reset is provided in at least one of the ports. The reset is in communication with the arbiter such that arbiter can reset the port in response to a detected error in the port.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for configuring an interconnect device includes a non-volatile storage device to store configuration data associated with the interconnect device and a configuration interface to request the configuration data from the non-volatile storage device. Further, the system includes an initialization module to query the configuration interface for the configuration data and to distribute the configuration data provided by the configuration interface to multiple units within the interconnect device.

Abstract: A method and system of communicating data between a source interconnect device and a destination interconnect device are defined. The method includes adding an identification component to the data at the source interconnect device prior to communicating the data, and extracting the identification component at the destination interconnect device. The identification component is then processed at the destination interconnect device, the identification component relating to the contents of the data. The invention extends to a machine-readable medium embodying a set of instructions for executing the method and to an interconnect device.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining TBS consistency between a flow control unit and central arbiter associated with an interconnect device in a communications network. In one embodiment, a method comprises synchronizing an available credit value between an arbiter and a first flow control unit, wherein the arbiter and flow control unit are part of a first interconnect device. An outgoing flow control message associated with the available credit value is sent; wherein the flow control message prevents packet loss and underutilization of the interconnect device.