Abstract: Systems and methods that interface with a management system are provided. In one embodiment, a system and a method may provide a command protocol and format for communication between a network interface card (NIC) and a management device such as, for example, an intelligent management device (IMD). An interface may be adapted to allow the management device to merge its traffic with that of the NIC to provide a fully integrated management solution. The fully integrated management solution may be implemented, for example, without additional network connections.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for load balancing to a plurality of ports is presented herein. A miniport driver is adapted to multiplex and demultiplex traffic workload across the ports. The miniport driver classifies outgoing packet streams and distributes each packet stream to a communication ring, such as an Ethernet ring, for example, associated with at least one of the ports. Additionally, the miniport driver can be configured to configure a operation of the plurality of ports in one of several modes, including a mode wherein the plurality of ports are operable and act as a single logical interface for the operation.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing system manageability for computing systems operating under OS-absent conditions. In particular, techniques are disclosed for providing fully functional system management capabilities even when the primary power source for the computing system is disabled. One aspect of the invention provides an ASF-compliant device that selectively supports partial ASF functionality. One aspect of the invention provides an ASF-compliant device that runs ASF firmware that is stored in nonvolatile memory and can be upgraded in the field. One aspect of the invention provides an ASF-compliant device that runs ASF firmware and that can load portions of the ASF firmware into its memory in stages.

Abstract: A network controller having a multiprotocol bus interface adapter coupled between a communication network and a computer bus, the adapter including a predictive time base generator; and a management bus controller adapted to monitor and manage preselected components coupled with one of the communication network and the computer bus. The management bus controller is adapted to employ an Alert Standard Format (ASF) specification protocol, a System Management Bus (SMBus) specification protocol, an Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) specification protocol, a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), or a combination thereof. The network controller also includes a 10/100/1000BASE-T IEEE Std. 802.

Abstract: Systems and methods that interface with a management system are provided. In one embodiment, a system and a method may provide a command protocol and format for communication between a network interface card (NIC) and a management device such as, for example, an intelligent management device (IMD). An interface may be adapted to allow the management device to merge its traffic with that of the NIC to provide a fully integrated management solution. The fully integrated management solution may be implemented, for example, without additional network connections.

Abstract: A system for processing packets is disclosed and may including a network interface card (NIC). The NIC may include a TCP enabled Ethernet controller (TEEC). The TEEC may include an internal elastic buffer. The TEEC may process received incoming TCP packets once and may temporarily buffer at least a portion of the incoming TCP packets in the internal elastic buffer. The processing may occur without reassembly or retransmission. The internal elastic buffer may include a receive internal elastic buffer and a transmit internal elastic buffer. The receive internal elastic buffer may temporarily buffer at least a portion of the received incoming TCP packets. The transmit internal elastic buffer may temporarily buffer at least a portion of TCP packets to be transmitted. The TEEC may place at least a portion of the received incoming TCP packets data into at least a portion of a host memory.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing system manageability for computing systems operating under OS-absent conditions. In particular, techniques are disclosed for providing fully functional system management capabilities even when the primary power source for the computing system is disabled. One aspect of the invention relates to a power supply control that facilitates the realization of low power consumption integrated circuit systems. Another aspect of the invention relates to providing fully functional ASF support when operating on auxiliary power. In one embodiment, this is implemented in a local bus adapter/controller that integrates network communication, management, and support features.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention may provide TCP offload, which may include acquiring TCP connection variables from a host and managing at least one TCP connection using the acquired TCP connection variables. At least a portion of the acquired TCP connection variables may be updated and at least some of the updated TCP connection variables may be transferred back to the host. In an aspect of the invention, the TCP connection variables may be variables that are independent of bandwidth delay product. At least a portion of the updated TCP connection variables may be utilized by the host to process the TCP connection or another TCP connection. The host may push the variables onto the stack and the TOE may pull the variables from the stack. Also, updated TCP connection variables may be pushed on the stack by the TOE and pulled from the stack by the host.

Abstract: A network controller having a multiprotocol bus interface adapter coupled between a communication network and a computer bus, the adapter including a predictive time base generator; and a management bus controller adapted to monitor and manage preselected components coupled with one of the communication network and the computer bus. The management bus controller is adapted to employ an Alert Standard Format (ASF) specification protocol, a System Management Bus (SMBus) specification protocol, an Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) specification protocol, a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), or a combination thereof. The network controller also includes a 10/100/1000BASE-T IEEE Std. 802.

Abstract: Systems and methods that interface with a management system are provided. In one embodiment, a system and a method may provide a command protocol and format for communication between a network interface card (NIC) and a management device such as, for example, an intelligent management device (IMD). An interface may be adapted to allow the management device to merge its traffic with that of the NIC to provide a fully integrated management solution. The fully integrated management solution may be implemented, for example, without additional network connections.

Abstract: A network adapter and corresponding method for its use are disclosed. The network adapter has an operational mode that allows a host CPU to offload transmission of a block of data to the adapter. The adapter segments the block into fragments, and builds a data packet for each fragment. The adapter transmits these packets with an adapter-implemented flow control. This flow control uses: a context engine that tracks flow control variables for a “context” established for the block; a context memory for storing the variables; and a receive filter that updates flow control information for the block based on ACK packets received from the remote endpoint receiving the data packets. Because the network adapter implements flow control for data blocks that it segments, intermediate ACK packets corresponding to that block can be intercepted by the adapter, before they pass to the host, conserving host resources.

Abstract: Systems and methods that network interface are provided. In one embodiment, a data center may be provided that may include, for example, a first tier, a second tier and a third tier. The first tier may include, for example, a first server. The second tier may include, for example, a second server. The third tier may include, for example, a third server. At least one of the first server, the second server and the third server may handle a plurality of different traffic types over a single fabric.

Abstract: Systems and methods that network interface in a multiple network environment are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes, for example, a network connector, a processor, a peripheral component interface (PCI) bridge and a unified driver. The processor may be coupled to the network connector and to the PCI bridge. The processor may be adapted, for example, to process a plurality of different types of network traffic. The unified driver may be coupled to the PCI bridge and may be adapted to provide drivers associated with the plurality of different types of network traffic.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention may provide TCP offload, which may include acquiring TCP connection variables from a host and managing at least one TCP connection using the acquired TCP connection variables. At least a portion of the acquired TCP connection variables may be updated and at least some of the updated TCP connection variables may be transferred back to the host. In an aspect of the invention, the TCP connection variables may be variables that are independent of bandwidth delay product. At least a portion of the updated TCP connection variables may be utilized by the host to process the TCP connection or another TCP connection. The host may push the variables onto the stack and the TOE may pull the variables from the stack. Also, updated TCP connection variables may be pushed on the stack by the TOE and pulled from the stack by the host.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention may comprise receiving an incoming TCP packet at a TEEC and processing at least a portion of the incoming packet once by the TEEC without having to do any reassembly and/or retransmission by the TEEC. At least a portion of the incoming TCP packet may be buffered in at least one internal elastic buffer of the TEEC. The internal elastic buffer may comprise a receive internal elastic buffer and/or a transmit internal elastic buffer. Accordingly, at least a portion of the incoming TCP packet may be buffered in the receive internal elastic buffer. At least a portion of the processed incoming packet may be placed in a portion of a host memory for processing by a host processor or CPU. Furthermore, at least a portion of the processed incoming TCP packet may be DMA transferred to a portion of the host memory.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for load balancing to a plurality of ports is presented herein. A miniport driver is adapted to multiplex and demultiplex traffic workload across the ports. The miniport driver classifies outgoing packet streams and distributes each packet stream to a communication ring, such as an Ethernet ring, for example, associated with at least one of the ports. Additionally, the miniport driver can be configured to configure a operation of the plurality of ports in one of several modes, including a mode wherein the plurality of ports are operable and act as a single logical interface for the operation.

Abstract: A network adapter and corresponding method for its use are disclosed. The network adapter advertises a large packet data maximum segment size (MSS) to its host, even though it cannot support this MSS on its physical connection. When the host then tries to negotiate remote connections using this large MSS, the adapter performs packet header manipulations such that the host believes it has negotiated a large MSS connection, and the remote endpoint believes it has negotiated a smaller, physically achievable MSS connection. The host should then send large packets, corresponding to the large MSS, to the network adapter. This decreases the workload of the host CPU and decreases bus utilization by the adapter. Using its knowledge of the local and remote MSS values, the adapter transparently segments the large packets into multiple smaller packets that are digestible by the remote endpoint and transmits these according to the remote endpoint's receive window.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing system manageability for computing systems operating under OS-absent conditions. In particular, techniques are disclosed for providing fully functional system management capabilities even when the primary power source for the computing system is disabled. One aspect of the invention provides an ASF-compliant device that selectively supports partial ASF functionality. One aspect of the invention provides an ASF-compliant device that runs ASF firmware that is stored in nonvolatile memory and can be upgraded in the field. One aspect of the invention provides an ASF-compliant device that runs ASF firmware and that can load portions of the ASF firmware into its memory in stages.

Abstract: A method for supporting ASF in an ASD using one or more embedded processors. In one aspect of the invention the method comprises accepting ASF related packets, examining the ASF related packets using a firmware routine running on the one or more embedded processors, and generating a response. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A network controller having a multiprotocol bus interface adapter coupled between a communication network and a computer bus, the adapter including a predictive time base generator; and a management bus controller adapted to monitor and manage preselected components coupled with one of the communication network and the computer bus. The management bus controller is adapted to employ an Alert Standard Format (ASF) specification protocol, a System Management Bus (SMBus) specification protocol, an Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) specification protocol, a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), or a combination thereof. The network controller also includes a 10/100/1000BASE-T IEEE Std. 802.