Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing configuration information is provided in a network computing environment having a plurality of hosts and at least one Gateway attachment and a channel interface, using a QDIO device. A set of special tables and commands are provided at initialization time over the channel interface which provide all configuration information. The tables can map any Host images and Host Device Addresses which will be using the QDIO Interface to the specific bits defined in a SIGA vector, the SIGA Vector giving initiative to said QDIO connected Gateway device.

Abstract: A facility is provided to allow retrieval of specific parameters by a communications stack (e.g., TCP/IP) of a multi-partitioned processing system from a shared network adapter coupling the processing system to a network. The processing system includes multiple communications stacks, each of which registers internet protocol (IP) addresses with the network adapter in an address resolution table shared by the multiple communications stacks. The facility includes query request and reply commands for selectively retrieving specific data from the shared address resolution table, wherein the specific data can include: local registered IP addresses for a communications stack issuing a query request, network address resolution entries associated with a particular HOME IP address, HOME IP addresses of one or more other communications stacks sharing the network adapter, IP addresses owned by other entities on the network, IP addresses which are in the address cache, as well as other types of data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a unique identification for each stack in partitions of a host data computer such that a plurality of partitions may share a single adapter card during an Input/Output operation wherein the adapter card is exchanging data between the host and a Local Area Network. The adapter card includes a unique identifier pool for maintaining values of unique identifiers which are available for identifying the stacks. The method and apparatus also provides that a deleted unique identifier for a stack may be reused by newly created stacks and may be reassigned to a recreated stack, if still available, when the stack had previously been deleted by the operating system, but is then recreated.

Abstract: In a mainframe class data processing system having multiple logical partitions and a port to a network, a host-network interface is established for reducing network overhead at the multiple partitions. The host-network interface includes, for example, a host channel connection coupling the multiple partitions of the host system to a communications adapter having a network device driver for each network coupled to the adapter. The adapter also includes an address resolution protocol (ARP) cache designed to hold predetermined media headers for the clients coupled to the network(s) for use in forwarding an internet protocol (IP) datagram across the network to one of the clients from a partition of the host system. Provision is also made for partition-to-partition communication of IP datagrams by storing IP addresses of the logical partitions as HOME addresses in the ARP cache of the adapter.

Abstract: A method of multicasting messages in a computing network environment having at least one host and a plurality of clients connected and in processing communication with one another via a gateway device. Host(s) and client(s) requesting registration will be registered and their information will be entered in a routing table, one entry dedicated to each host or client. A connectivity platform controls all communication between the host and the client(s) by receiving all information packets. The Routing table is then searched and the packets are distributed accordingly to their owner once a matching entry is found. If a matching entry is not found the packet will be dropped.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing configuration information without using a configuration file and using a Queued-Direct Input-Output device in a network computing environment having a plurality of hosts and at least one Gateway attachment and a channel interface. A set of special tables and commands at is provided at initialization time over the channel interface which in turn provides all configuration information. The information can be updated dynamically in these tables and for these commands at any time after initialization when information needs to be added, deleted or modified.

Abstract: A multicasting apparatus that broadcasts messages to at least some of the clients in a computing network environment having a plurality of clients and at least one host connected to these clients via a gateway device. A multicast routing table is created for registering any host and clients requesting registration. The table will include one entry per host/client and includes their relevant information. A connectivity platform is used for controlling all communications so that all information packets is first received by the platform. Upon the receipt of a packet, the table is searched and if an match is found the packet will be routed using the entry information; otherwise, the packet will be dropped.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing configuration information without using a configuration file and using a Queued-Direct Input-Output device in a network computing environment having a plurality of hosts and at least one Gateway attachment and a channel interface. A set of special tables and commands at is provided at initialization time over the channel interface which in turn provides all configuration information. The information can be updated dynamically in these tables and for these commands at any time after initialization when information needs to be added, deleted or modified.

Abstract: A multicasting apparatus that broadcasts messages to at least some of the clients in a computing network environment having a plurality of clients and at least one host connected to these clients via a gateway device. A multicast routing table is created for registering any host and clients requesting registration. The table will include one entry per host/client and includes their relevant information. A connectivity platform is used for controlling all communications so that all information packets is first received by the platform. Upon the receipt of a packet, the table is searched and if an match is found the packet will be routed using the entry information; otherwise, the packet will be dropped.

Abstract: A method of transferring data in a network computing environment having a controlling program and a main storage in processing communication with an interface element including one or more adapters. A queuing mechanism is first established in the main storage for asynchronous transmittal of data between the program and said interface element. At least one queue-set is dedicated to input data and another queue-set to output data in the queuing mechanism. Queuing priorities both for said input and output queue-sets are then determined according to importance of data to be processed or transferred or other internal dependencies and a queue-description record is established by passing a QDIO queue command. From this the priority and number of the output queue are provided by order in which the order specified in the queue descriptor record relative to any other output queues described in that record.

Abstract: A method of providing direct data processing access in a network computing system environment. The system environment has a main storage which can be connected to one or more application servers and is in processing communication with an interface element. The interface element has at least one adapter and can be connected to one or more application user(s). One or more queues are established in the main storage that can handle data without causing interrupts in the running programs. Incoming data is received using the adapter and as data is received or modified, the status of the network computing system will be updated to reflect the new data or change. Data is then processed in the main storage after interrogating the multiple existing queues in the main storage and forwarding them in turn to their appropriate destination or application server after a determination has been made by interrogating these queues.

Abstract: A computer program product for use with a computer system having a host and a plurality of clients coupled to one another via a local area network (LAN), to provide a multicasting of messages using a special command set. First computer readable code means is generated for issuing a first special command to add a new IP multicast address providing a group multicast address and an IP multicast address. Then computer readable code means is created for entering said special control command in a multicast routing table, one entry per connection request received. Computer readable code means is then provided for a use count mechanism for keeping track of numbers of communication stacks which have registered with a certain IP multicast address. Also computer readable code means is generated for comparing all inbound IP packets destined for an IP multicast address with said entries in said table and routing all matches to their appropriate communication stacks.

Abstract: In a mainframe class data processing system having multiple logical partitions and a port to a network, a host-network interface is established for reducing network overhead at the multiple partitions. The host-network interface includes, for example, a host channel connection coupling the multiple partitions of the host system to a communications adapter having a network device driver for each network coupled to the adapter. The adapter also includes an address resolution protocol (ARP) cache designed to hold predetermined media headers for the clients coupled to the network(s) for use in forwarding an internet protocol (IP) datagram across the network to one of the clients from a partition of the host system. Provision is also made for partition-to-partition communication of IP datagrams by storing IP addresses of the logical partitions as HOME addresses in the ARP cache of the adapter.

Abstract: A queuing method and apparatus for transfer or incoming and outgoing data in a network environment having a main storage is presented. A plurality of queue sets are provided in the main storage with at least one or more sets being dedicated for input and output. The queues can share access to a plurality of devices in the network across a plurality of communication stacks. Various network resources are mapped to the queues in order to facilitate resource allocation and dynamic configuration by providing initialization of a plurality of configuration parameters. In this way dynamic expanding and contracting of the number of queues in each set as dictated by traffic patterns and feedback indicators is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring data in a network computing environment having a controlling program and a main storage in processing communication with an interface element including one or more adapters. A queuing mechanism is first established in the main storage for asynchronous transmittal of data between the program and said interface element. At least one queue-set is dedicated to input data and another queue-set to output data in the queuing mechanism. Queuing priorities both for said input and output queue-sets are then determined according to importance of data to be processed or transferred or other internal dependencies and a queue-description record is established by passing a QDIO queue command. From this the priority and number of the output queue are provided by order in which the order specified in the queue descriptor record relative to any other output queues described in that record.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exchanging data in a network computing system having a main storage capable of connecting to at least one application server and an interface element with at least one adapter capable of establishing processing communication with at least one application user(s). A state change signalling protocol is used for transfer of data between the main storage and said adapter. In addition a queuing mechanism is established in the main storage having a plurality of queues each with a plurality of buffers. Some of these queues are dedicated to be input and others as output queues. By applying the protocol each input and output data buffer is associated with each of the active input and output queues. In this manner the input and output buffers are managed by placing the buffers into various states which are maintained in a special location that is set aside and is associated with each buffer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing concurrent patch in a computing network environment using microcode and having a queued direct I/O and a main memory in processing communication with an adapter. First it is allowed for a new level of microcode to be installed to an adapter without interrupting any running applications and/or services. It is then determined if the affected adapter is a network or a channel adapter. If the adapter is a channel adapter, applications using the channel adapter are to run without requiring any connection type information to be kept across any code updates. If the adapter is determined to be a network adapter, all adapter sessions are kept alive and activated while accessing information about any client station connected to a LAN and each present in said environment.

Abstract: A computer program product in a network environment having a main storage in processing communication with an interface element having adapters for storing data in a queuing mechanism in the main storage. The program product comprises a data storage device including a computer usable medium having computer readable program means for ensuring proper and timely processing of data and computer readable code means for providing a plurality of queue sets; for dedicating one or more queues in each set as input or output queues; for providing the ability to said queues to share access to a plurality of devices in said network across a plurality of communication stacks; for mapping various resources to said queues to facilitate resource allocation and dynamic configuration by providing initialization of a plurality of configuration parameters; and for providing dynamic expanding and contracting of the number of queues in each set as dictated by traffic patterns and feedback indicators.

Abstract: In a mainframe class data processing system having multiple logical partitions and a port to a network, a host-network interface is established for reducing network overhead at the multiple partitions. The host-network interface includes, for example, a host channel connection coupling the multiple partitions of the host system to a communications adapter having a network device driver for each network coupled to the adapter. The adapter also includes an address resolution protocol (ARP) cache designed to hold predetermined media headers for the clients coupled to the network(s) for use in forwarding an internet protocol (IP) datagram across the network to one of the clients from a partition of the host system. If not predetermined, the adapter is provided with a capability to dynamically determine the needed media header for transmission of the IP datagram across the network to the client. In Ethernet format, this dynamically determining includes forwarding an Ethernet 802.

Abstract: A queuing method and apparatus for receipt and transfer of incoming and outgoing data inn a network environment having a main storage. The mechanism includes at least one set of dedicated input queues and at least another set of dedicated output queues. In addition a plurality of queuing components is also provided that include attributes of devices to and from which data is to be transferred or received, and information about the queuing mechanism itself. The input and output queues also comprise an information block containing address of all input and output queues, a storage information block providing information about the queuing mechanism and storage list information blocks that defined for each queue containing specific information about that queue itself.