Patents Assigned to Brocade Communications Systems
  • Publication number: 20110228669
    Abstract: Techniques for facilitating link redundancy using an enhanced version of Virtual Switch Redundancy Protocol (VSRP), referred to herein as VSRP2. In one set of embodiments, a group of Layer 2 and/or Layer 2/3 devices (switches) can act in concert as a VSRP2 virtual switch. A first switch in the group (a VSRP2 master switch) can forward, via a first link, data traffic to/from a network device in a connected Layer 2 network. A second switch in the group (a VSRP2 backup switch) can block, at a second link, data traffic to/from the same network device. If the first link fails or otherwise becomes unavailable, the VSRP2 backup switch can detect the link failure and begin forwarding, via the second link, data traffic to/from the network device. In this manner, redundancy can be provided at the link level between the VSRP2 virtual switch and the Layer 2 network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tse Yu Lei, Ram Dular Singh
  • Patent number: 8024441
    Abstract: A global server load-balancing (GSLB) switch serves as a proxy to an authoritative DNS and communicates with numerous site switches that are coupled to host servers serving specific applications. The GSLB switch receives from site switches operational information regarding host servers within the site switches neighborhood. When a client program requests a resolution of a host name, the GSLB switch, acting as a proxy of an authoritative DNS, returns one or more ordered IP addresses for the host name. The IP addresses are ordered using metrics that include the information collected from the site switches. In one instance, the GSLB switch places the address that is deemed “best” at the top of the list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sunanda Lakshmi Kommula, Ivy Pei-Shan Hsu, Rajkumar Jalan, David Chun Ying Cheung
  • Publication number: 20110225303
    Abstract: An IP gateway device establishes distinct TCP sessions within a single FCIP tunnel, each TCP session being designated for a different priority of service (e.g., high, medium, low), plus a control stream. Each TCP session has its own TCP stack and its own settings for VLAN Tagging (IEEE 802.1Q), quality of service (IEEE 802.1P) and Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP). By distributing data streams assigned to different priorities of service into different TCP sessions within the FCIP tunnel, an IP gateway device can preserve the distinctions between the data stream priorities while the data traffic is within the IP network. By further distributing the data streams between different circuits and trunks by use of multiple circuits, failover and load balancing can occur within the FCIP tunnels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Grant Engebretson
  • Patent number: 8018936
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for communicating Fibre Channel frames between distinct fabrics. A proxy zone is established in each fabric with a physically present local device and a remote fabric device. A router creates a proxy device in each fabric for every device not physically connected to the fabric. The proxy devices appear to be directly attached to the router. The router handles all address translations between proxy and physical addresses. When multiple routers are encountered, the ingress router does all address translation. No routing or encapsulation headers are used except when routing between two routers. The source ID and the originator exchange identifier are stored at the egress router for all link requests that require special handling. When replies pass through that router, the destination ID and originator exchange identifier are compared with the stored information. On a match, the reply is specially handled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David Peterson
  • Patent number: 8019806
    Abstract: The invention relates to graphical user interfaces for managing electronic networks, such computer networks, storage area networks (SANs), and the like. Specifically, the invention provides a simplified means of managing large numbers of parameters associated with devices in such networks. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a method of displaying devices forming a network. In a first step, a computer system associated with a graphical user interface queries the network to determine what devices are present in the network, and the interconnections of such devices. The results of this determination are stored, as is the time of this determination. Later, a second query is performed and the results are compared to the first query. Symbols representing elements of the network are displayed on the graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Lynn Grace, Nitin A. Mehendale, Shannon L. Kohl
  • Publication number: 20110216672
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a method of minimizing the delay in convergence time for a complex STP topology following a topology change in the network system in the spanning tree protocol (STP) standard, including: receiving, by a root port of a first bridge, a data message that includes identification of a current root bridge and a priority value of the current root bridge; receiving, by a second port of the first bridge, a second data message from a second bridge; and if a message age timer of the first bridge has less than a limiting message age time value remaining before expiry, then blocking a reply, by the second port of the first bridge, to the second data message from the second bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Benny J. Thottakkara, Rajiv Ramanathan
  • Publication number: 20110216778
    Abstract: A Fibre Channel router used to join fabrics. EX_ports are used to connect to the fabrics. The EX_port joins the fabric but the router will not merge into the fabric. Ports in the Fibre Channel router can be in a fabric, but other ports can be connected to other fabrics. Fibre Channel routers can be interconnected using a backbone fabric. Global, interfabric and encapsulation headers are developed to allow routing by conventional Fibre Channel switch devices in the backbone fabric and simplify Fibre Channel router routing. Phantom domains and devices must be developed for each of the fabrics being interconnected. Front phantom domains are present at each port directly connected to a fabric. Each of these is then connected to at least one translate phantom domain. Zoning is accomplished by use of a special LSAN zoning naming convention. This allows each administrator to independently define devices are accessible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Ji Yong Park Chung, Dennis Hideo Makishima
  • Patent number: 8014301
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing network route redundancy through Layer 2 devices, such as a loop free Layer 2 network having a plurality of switching devices. A virtual switch is coupled to the loop free Layer 2 network, the virtual switch having two or more switches configured to transition between master and backup modes to provide redundant support for the loop free Layer 2 network, the switches communicating their status through use of a plurality of redundancy control packets. The system also includes means for allowing the redundancy control packets to be flooded through the Layer 2 network. The means may include time-to-live data attached to the redundancy control packet which is decremented only when the packets are transferred through devices which are configured to recognize the protocol used in redundancy control packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Tai-Chin Kuo, Ivy Pei-Shan Hsu, Jordi Moncada-Elias, Rajkumar Jalan, Gurudeep Kamat
  • Patent number: 8010513
    Abstract: A server instance, which is a collection of LUNs, containing an operating system, any applications and data storage. A processing element is the physical hardware. The combination is a server as normally understood. Templates are used to define server instances and server types to simplify deploying a server instance to a processing element. A graphical user interface provides the templates where the particular storage groups are identified and then server instances are created from lists of operating systems, applications, and available storage. The management service processor is a PXE server and provides the necessary software to identify the components of the processing element and correlate between the processing element and a server instance. The management service processor then automatically provides software to the processing element to allow it correctly boot. The management service processor manages the interconnection of the processing element and the relevant LUNs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Xinhong (Henry) Zhang, Peter H. Benoit, Vinod R. Shankar, Eric Lindvall
  • Patent number: 8009693
    Abstract: A system and method for providing transparent communications between an Infiniband (IB) network and a Fibre Channel (FC) network are disclosed. One method comprises: (a) detecting FC node ports in the FC network; (b) creating virtual IB targets for each FC node port in the FC network; and (c) converting IB packets directed to the virtual IB targets into FC frames directed to the corresponding FC node port. It may further comprise intercepting management packets directed to the virtual IB targets and responsively emulating a subnet management agent (SMA) of the addressed virtual IB target. Another method comprises: (a) detecting IB channel adapters; (b) creating a virtual FC target for each IB channel adapter; and (c) converting any FC frames directed to the virtual FC targets into IB packets directed to the corresponding IB channel adapter. Fabric frames directed to the virtual FC targets may be intercepted and handled appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Brocade Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Feejen Liao, Dennis Makishima, Howard Green, Brian Forbes, Daniel Chung
  • Publication number: 20110176541
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for supporting enhanced 911 (E911) emergency services, in a data communications network that includes Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephones. A network system includes a host network communicatively coupled to an E911 database management system, a network access device, and a VoIP telephone communicatively coupled to an input port of the network access device. The network access device is adapted to assign a physical location identifier to an input port, to authenticate the VoIP telephone, wherein the authentication includes receiving a unique device identifier from the VoIP telephone, and to transmit the location identifier and the unique device identifier to the E911 database management system. The E911 database management system is permitted to store the physical location identifier in association with the unique device identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicants: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony W. James
  • Patent number: 7978607
    Abstract: Congestion control techniques based upon resource utilization information stored by a network device. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a network device is configured to identify a data source causing congestion based upon information stored by the network device identifying a set of data sources, and for each data source, information identifying the amount of a resource of the network device being used for processing data received by the network device from the data source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitri Halabi, Yuen Fai Wong, Robert Colvin, Frank S. Yang
  • Patent number: 7975006
    Abstract: Managing cluster membership and providing and managing locks in the switches forming the interconnecting network. To manage the cluster membership, a zone is created, with indicated members existing in the zone and the zone being managed by the switches. The nodes communicate their membership events, such as alive messages, using an API to work with the switch to which they are attached. The desired membership algorithm is executed by the switches, preferably in a distributed manner. Each switch then enforces the membership policies, including preventing operations from evicted nodes. This greatly simplifies the programs used on the nodes and unburdens them from many time consuming tasks, thus providing improved cluster performance. In a like manner, the switches in the fabric manage the resource locks. The nodes send their lock requests, such as creation and ownership requests, to the switch to which they are connected using an API.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Hammons, Carlos Alonso
  • Publication number: 20110126196
    Abstract: Techniques for providing core-based virtualization based upon cores provided by one or more processors of a system. A device such as a network device comprising multiple processor cores provides for core-based virtualization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cheung, Mani Prasad Kancherla, Deepak Kothari, Gary Hemminger
  • Patent number: 7949757
    Abstract: In a network, a user can configure host-level policies usable for load balancing traffic to servers of a domain. A global server load balancing (GSLB) switch provides load balancing to the servers, and is configured with the GSLB host-level policies. Users can define a host-level policy (alternatively or additionally to a globally applied GSLB policy) and apply the host-level policy to hosts in domains configured on the GSLB switch. Thus, the user can enable different policies for different hosts. This allows the user to have the flexibility to control metrics used for selection of a best address for querying clients, as well as the metric order and additional parameters used in the GSLB process, at the host level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Prajakta S. Joshi
  • Patent number: 7948895
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods, apparatuses and systems for balancing flow across trunk groups are disclosed. For example, a method of routing a flow of frames may include applying a correspondence between logical ports and physical ports of a switch. Other examples may include receiving at least one frame; selecting an exit port of a switch for the one frame to exit, based at least in part, on balancing flow across trunk groups; and transmitting the at least one frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Surya Varanasi, Kung-Ling Ko
  • Publication number: 20110116245
    Abstract: A blade for a chassis-based system includes a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted at a tilt angle within the blade. The tilt angle provides space above or below the PCB at the front end of the blade, such that media interface modules can be flexibly positioned within the blade. A tilt angle that positions the PCB higher near the front end of the blade may enable media interface modules mounted in a belly-to-belly configuration on the PCB to be fitted within the front end of the blade. A tilt angle that positions the PCB lower near the front end of the blade may enable media interface modules mounted on the upper surface of the PCB to be fitted within the first end of the blade. The tilt angle also positions a backplane connector mounted on the PCB to properly engage a backplane when the blade is inserted into a slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Skirmont, Daniel K. Kilkenny
  • Publication number: 20110110232
    Abstract: Back pressure is mapped within a network, and primary bottlenecks are distinguished from dependent bottlenecks. Further, the presently disclosed technology is capable of performing network healing operations designed to reduce the data load on primary bottlenecks while ignoring dependent bottlenecks. Still further, the presently disclosed technology teaches identifying and/or suggesting a switch port for adding a node to the network. More specifically, various implementations analyze traffic load and back pressure in a network, identify primary and dependent bottlenecks, resolve the primary bottlenecks, collect new node parameters, and/or select a switch port for the new node. Further, a command can be sent to a selected switch to activate an indicator on the selected port. New node parameters may include new node type, maximum load, minimum load, time of maximum load, time of minimum load and type of data associated with the new node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vineet Abraham, Sathish Gnanasekaran, Rishi Sinha, Badrinath Kollu
  • Publication number: 20110110381
    Abstract: Back pressure is mapped within a network, and primary bottlenecks are distinguished from dependent bottlenecks. Further, the presently disclosed technology is capable of performing network healing operations designed to reduce the data load on primary bottlenecks while ignoring dependent bottlenecks. Still further, the presently disclosed technology teaches identifying and/or suggesting a switch port for adding a node to the network. More specifically, various implementations analyze traffic load and back pressure in a network, identify primary and dependent bottlenecks, resolve the primary bottlenecks, collect new node parameters, and/or select a switch port for the new node. Further, a command can be sent to a selected switch to activate an indicator on the selected port. New node parameters may include new node type, maximum load, minimum load, time of maximum load, time of minimum load and type of data associated with the new node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Atkinson, Vineet Abraham, Sathish Gnanasekaran, Rishi Sinha
  • Publication number: 20110110241
    Abstract: Back pressure is mapped within a network, and primary bottlenecks are distinguished from dependent bottlenecks. Further, the presently disclosed technology is capable of performing network healing operations designed to reduce the data load on primary bottlenecks while ignoring dependent bottlenecks. Still further, the presently disclosed technology teaches identifying and/or suggesting a switch port for adding a node to the network. More specifically, various implementations analyze traffic load and back pressure in a network, identify primary and dependent bottlenecks, resolve the primary bottlenecks, collect new node parameters, and/or select a switch port for the new node. Further, a command can be sent to a selected switch to activate an indicator on the selected port. New node parameters may include new node type, maximum load, minimum load, time of maximum load, time of minimum load and type of data associated with the new node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Atkinson, Vineet Abraham, Sathish Gnanasekaran, Rishi Sinha