Abstract: A communication module includes a switch circuit operable to connect an internal bus to an external bus for, e.g., diagnostics, verification, and fault analysis. The internal bus allows data communication between electronic components internal to the communication module, and the external bus allows data communication between at least one internal electronic component and a device external to the communication module. The switch circuit may be controlled via a programmable and password protected register within the communication module.

Abstract: A hybrid data distribution system includes a modulator coupled to an analog device, one or more processors coupled to the modulator, and a database coupled to the one or more processors. The database is configured to store encoded data. The system also includes an Ethernet switch for transmitting the encoded data to a digital device. The Ethernet switch is coupled to each of the database and the digital device. Moreover, the one or more processors are configured to directly or indirectly obtain the encoded data from the database, decode the encoded data, and directly or indirectly transmit the decoded data to the modulator. The modulator is configured to transmit the decoded data to the analog device, and the Ethernet switch is configured to directly or indirectly obtain the encoded data from the database, and to transmit the encoded data to the digital device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method A method for controlling a storage system including a host computer; a first storage controller connected communicably to the host computer, for receiving a data frame transmitted from the host computer and executing data input to and data output from a first storage device in response to a data input/output request described in the data frame; and a second storage controller connected communicably to the first storage controller, comprising relaying by the first storage controller, upon receipt of the data frame transmitted from the host computer, the data frame to the second storage controller in response to information described in the data frame.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for migrating a data set. In one embodiment, a migration is paused. In another embodiment, for a migration of data between multiple source/target groups, the migration is initiated by beginning transfer for some groups and queuing others for later processing. In a further embodiment, different transfer vehicles are used for different source/target groups. In a still further embodiment, a transfer vehicle is automatically selected for at least one source/target group.

Abstract: A method for operating a network of computing devices is disclosed. The method includes analyzing a network with a computing device having an addressing system to determine if a second addressing system is present on the network. The method also includes selectively providing a network address to a second computing device based on whether a second addressing system is present on the network.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, programmable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The controller can have first and second key sets in distinct regions of the controller's surface and programmable switches that are actuatable by pressing control keys in the key sets. At least one switch actuatable by pressing a key of the first key set is programmed to perform a control operation of a first type (e.g., a power control operation), at least one switch actuatable by pressing a key of the second key set is programmed to perform a control operation of a second type (e.g.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software can make use of persistent reservation commands to establish the port of a shared device that is to be used as an active port by one or more host computer systems coupled to the shared device. Information about one or more paths used to transmit data between a host computer system and the shared device can be used by other host computer systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided that allow the automatic discovery of the topology of a network. In one embodiment, the invention includes identifying a second network device at a first network device, sending a message from the first network device to the second network device, the message establishing the identity of any network device between the first network device and the second network device, and compiling the established identities to determine the topology of the network. The invention can use PING and Traceroute utilities to find nodes and identify network devices.

Abstract: A storage system having a plurality of disk controllers for accepting computer access through a SAN, and a plurality of file servers for accepting computer access through a LAN. The disk controllers and file servers are connected through a connection unit to a plurality of disk drive units in a disk pool. A disk pool management unit manages the relationships between the disk controllers and file servers and the disk drive units used by the respective disk controllers and file servers, and sends information identifying the usable disk drive units to the respective disk controllers and file servers. The disk controllers and file servers use the disk drive units based on the received usable disk information.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data through an I2C router from a source port to a destination port, the method comprising: receiving data in a first I2C source port buffer of the I2C router; capturing the I2C destination port before the first I2C source port buffer has overflowed; and transmitting the data from the first I2C source port buffer to the I2C destination port while restricting transmission from the second I2C source port buffer to the I2C destination port.

Abstract: A DMA controller includes at least one peripheral DMA channel for handling DMA transfers on a peripheral access bus; at least one memory DMA stream, including a memory destination channel and a memory source channel, for handling DMA transfers on first and second memory access buses; first and second address computation units for computing updated memory addresses for DMA transfers; and first and second memory pipelines for supplying memory addresses to the first and second memory access buses, respectively, and for transferring data on the first and second memory access buses. The DMA controller further includes a prioritizer configured to map DMA requests from different DMA requesters to the peripheral channels in response to programmable mapping information.

Abstract: A technique for remotely configuring a computing device via a network. A device configuration system is provided to determine a network address of the computing device, to identify the computing device, and to facilitate network configuration of the computing device. The device configuration system also may include a remote interface and a remote device information system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method A method for controlling a storage system including a host computer; a first storage controller connected communicably to the host computer, for receiving a data frame transmitted from the host computer and executing data input to and data output from a first storage device in response to a data input/output request described in the data frame; and a second storage controller connected communicably to the first storage controller, comprising relaying by the first storage controller, upon receipt of the data frame transmitted from the host computer, the data frame to the second storage controller in response to information described in the data frame.

Abstract: An address region of an internal bus wherein a burst access can be utilized in an external bus is set in an address table. A DMA control unit determines whether or not a burst access can be utilized in the external bus by comparing an address in an access to the internal bus with an address region set in the address table. Then, the DMA control unit carries out a direct memory access transfer by utilizing a burst access when it is determined that the burst access can be utilized in the external bus. Accordingly, the DMA control unit can carry out a DMA transfer by using a burst access without the intervention of a FIFO memory and it becomes possible to carry out a high speed DMA transfer.

Abstract: A memory hub for a memory module having a DMA engine for performing DMA operations in system memory. The memory hub includes a link interface for receiving memory requests for access at least one of the memory devices of the system memory, and further including a memory device interface for coupling to the memory devices, the memory device interface coupling memory requests to the memory devices for access to at least one of the memory devices. A switch for selectively coupling the link interface and the memory device interface is further included in the memory hub. Additionally, a direct memory access (DMA) engine is coupled through the switch to the memory device interface to generate memory requests for access to at least one of the memory devices to perform DMA operations.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for accelerating data transfer between networked databases. First provided are a plurality of databases coupled by a network. At least one laser unit is coupled to each database. In operation, such laser units are capable of communicating data between the databases via free space by way of a laser beam. This allows data communication at a rate faster than that which the network is capable.

Abstract: Direct memory access data transfers may be initiated between buffers on one processor system to corresponding buffers in another processor system. The buffers in each system may be provided as a linked list such that transfers successively occur between the buffers. Each buffer may include a descriptor that indicates whether or not the buffer is full or empty. As a result, the buffer may be accessed by controllers in either processor system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a storage system including a host computer, and a first and a second storage control apparatuses each receiving a data input/output request from the host computer and executing a data input/output process for a storage device in response to the request, comprises connecting a first communication path between the host computer and the first apparatus; connecting a second communication path between the first apparatus and the second apparatus; receiving by the first apparatus a first data input/output request from the host computer through the first path; when the first apparatus has judged that the first request is not for the first apparatus, transmitting by the first apparatus a second data input/output request corresponding to the first request, to the second apparatus through the second path; and by the second apparatus, receiving the second request and executing a data input/output process corresponding to the second request received.

Abstract: A portable computer provided with a power switch, a drive for an optical device, an audio signal processing unit processing the audio data of a disk inserted into the optical device drive, and an inputting unit formed with a plurality of selection buttons for inputting movement and selection of a pointing cursor. Each selection button of the inputting unit has a selection inputting function in response to a plurality of operations of the optical device drive. The audio signal processing unit is supplied with assistant power while system power is turned off. The audio signal processing unit controls the optical device drive based on selection by the selection button as inputted. With this configuration, the present invention provides a portable computer wherein an inputting unit, for movement and selection of the pointing cursor when the optical device drive is operated while the power switch is turned off, can be utilized as a control button involved in reproduction of the optical device drive.

Abstract: A method for on-demand management of Internet Protocol (IP) address pools includes allocating an unused IP address from a local IP address pool designated for a remote domain if a request to connect to the remote domain is received and deallocating an IP address back to the local IP address pool if the IP address is unused. The method also includes apportioning one or more of the at least one subnet between the global IP address pool and the local IP address pool based upon utilization of the local IP address pool. The local IP address pool includes one or more of at least one subnet obtained from a global IP address pool and each subnet specifies a contiguous set of one or more IP addresses.