Abstract: A method for sharing a network interface among multiple hosts and includes providing a network interface, associating a first set of the plurality of memory access channels with a first host, and associating a second set of the plurality of memory access channels with a second host is disclosed. The network interface including a plurality of memory access channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficient interrupt event notification for a scalable input/output device in a network system. A network interface unit is operably connected to a plurality of processing entities and associated memory units. At least one status register in the network interface unit contains information relating to a process to be performed by at least one processing entity communicated to the processing entity by an interrupt event notification. Shared memory space comprises a mailbox storage register operable to store an image of the interrupt information stored in the status register of the network interface unit. A processing entity can directly access the process information stored in the mailbox status register thereby reducing system latency associated with reading information in the status register. Updated process status information in the network interface status register may be read by the processing entity on an interleaved basis while executing a process.

Abstract: A method of resolving mutex contention within a network interface unit which includes providing a plurality of memory access channels, and moving a thread via at least one of the plurality of memory access channels, the plurality of memory access channels allowing moving of the thread while avoiding mutex contention when moving the thread via the at least one of the plurality of memory access channels is disclosed.

Abstract: A network system that provides for separating and isolating control of processing entities in a network interface. A network interface unit is operably connected to a plurality of processing entities and a plurality of memory units that define a shared memory space. The network interface unit further comprises a memory access module that includes a plurality of memory access channels, a packet classifier, and a plurality of scheduling control modules that are operable to control processing of data transported by the network. One of the processing entities operates as a hypervisor to configure control resources to isolate operation of the plurality of data processing partitions to process data transported by the network system. The packet classifier is operable to provide an association between packets and the plurality of asymmetrical data processing.

Abstract: A register access request for control and/or status operations from a link is detected using a hardware mechanism and is forwarded to a software-controlled entity for access to a virtual register for control and/or status operations. The software-controlled entity can provide virtual registers in memory associated with the software-controlled entity. The hardware mechanism can form part of an interconnect device and the software-controlled entity is external to the interconnect device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mapping sessions to preassigned processing entities in a network system. A network interface unit is operably connected to a plurality of processing entities and a plurality of memory units that define a shared memory space. The network interface unit further comprises a memory access module that includes a plurality of memory access channels, a packet classifier, and a plurality of scheduling control modules that are operable to control processing of data transported by the network. In various embodiments of the invention, predetermined subsets of the plurality of processing entities are operably associated with predetermined subsets of the plurality of memory units thereby defining a plurality of asymmetrical data processing partitions. The packet classifier is operable to provide an association between packets and the plurality of asymmetrical data processing partitions based upon an association with a predetermined session.

Abstract: A method of performing a lookup within a network interface unit which includes providing a plurality of memory access channels, performing a multilayer lookup operation on a packet, and refining a selection of one of the plurality of memory access channels based upon the multilayer lookup operation is disclosed.

Abstract: A network system which includes a plurality of separate processing entities, an input output bus, and a network interface unit shared among the plurality of separate processing entities is disclosed. The network interface unit is coupled to the plurality of separate processing entities via the input output bus. The network interface unit has a plurality of memory access channels and each memory access channel is assigned to one processing entity.

Abstract: A network system includes a network interface unit operably connected to a plurality of processing entities and a plurality of memory units that define a shared memory space. The network interface unit further comprises a memory access module that includes a plurality of memory access channels, a packet classifier, and a plurality of scheduling control modules that are operable to control processing of data transported by the network. In various embodiments of the invention, predetermined subsets of the plurality of processing entities are operably associated with predetermined subsets of the plurality of memory units thereby defining a plurality of asymmetrical data processing partitions. The packet classifier is operable to provide an association between packets and the plurality of asymmetrical data processing partitions. The asymmetrical data processing partitions are scalable by adding additional processing entities.

Abstract: A configuration space operation packet is received from a link. The configuration space operation packet is detected using a hardware mechanism. The configuration space operation packet is forwarded to a software-controlled entity for processing. A received packet can be detected as a configuration space operation packet from an address range of an address in a header of the received packet. The software-controlled entity can provide configuration space virtualisation.

Abstract: A method of resolving mutex contention within a network interface unit which includes providing a plurality of memory access channels, and moving a thread via at least one of the plurality of memory access channels, the plurality of memory access channels allowing moving of the thread while avoiding mutex contention when moving the thread via the at least one of the plurality of memory access channels is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of resolving mutex contention within a network interface unit which includes providing a plurality of memory access channels, and moving a thread via at least one of the plurality of memory access channels, the plurality of memory access channels allowing moving of the thread while avoiding mutex contention when moving the thread via the at least one of the plurality of memory access channels is disclosed.

Abstract: A network system which includes a plurality of processing entities, an interconnect device coupled to the plurality of processing entities, a memory system coupled to the interconnect device and the plurality of processing entities, a network interface unit coupled to the plurality of processing entities and the memory system via the interconnect device. The network interface includes a memory access module and a packet classifier. The memory access module includes a plurality of parallel memory access channels. The packet classifier provides a flexible association between packets and the plurality of processing entities via the plurality of memory access channels.

Abstract: A method for scaling a network system which includes providing at least one network interface and providing a flexible association between packets and a plurality of processing entities via the plurality of memory access channels. Each network interface including a plurality of memory access channels.

Abstract: A method for providing access to a network interface having a plurality of memory access channels is disclosed. The network interface provides access to a plurality of processing entities. The method includes providing a network interface software hierarchy wherein the network interface software hierarchy provides access to the network interface, and associating various memory access channels with corresponding processing entities via the network interface software hierarchy so as to provide a virtualized network interface.

Abstract: A network system having a plurality of processing partitions which includes a network interface unit coupled to a plurality of processing entities is disclosed. The network interface unit includes a plurality of memory access channels. The plurality of memory access channels is virtualized. The network interface unit is shared among the plurality of processing partitions.

Abstract: A network system which provides asymmetrical processing for networking functions and data path offload. A network interface unit is operably connected to a plurality of processing entities and a plurality of memory units that define a shared memory space. The network interface unit further comprises a memory access module that includes a plurality of memory access channels, a packet classifier, and a plurality of scheduling control modules that are operable to control processing of data transported by the network. In various embodiments of the invention, predetermined subsets of the plurality of processing entities are operably associated with predetermined subsets of the plurality of memory units thereby defining a plurality of asymmetrical data processing partitions. The packet classifier is operable to provide an association between packets and the plurality of asymmetrical data processing partitions.

Abstract: A method for scaling a network system which includes providing at least one network interface and providing a flexible association between packets and a plurality of processing entities via the plurality of memory access channels. Each network interface including a plurality of memory access channels.

Abstract: A network system which includes a plurality of processing entities, an interconnect device coupled to the plurality of processing entities, a memory system coupled to the interconnect device and the plurality of processing entities, a network interface unit coupled to the plurality of processing entities and the memory system via the interconnect device. The network interface includes a memory access module and a packet classifier. The memory access module includes a plurality of parallel memory access channels. The packet classifier provides a flexible association between packets and the plurality of processing entities via the plurality of memory access channels.

Abstract: A network system having a plurality of processing partitions which includes a network interface unit coupled to a plurality of processing entities is disclosed. The network interface unit includes a plurality of memory access channels. The plurality of memory access channels is virtualized. The network interface unit is shared among the plurality of processing partitions.