Abstract: Communication apparatus includes a switch, which includes switching logic, multiple ports for connection to a network, and a management port, and which is configured to assign both a first link-layer address and a second link-layer address to the management port. A host processor includes a memory and a central processing unit (CPU), which is configured to run software implementing a management agent for managing functions of the switch. A network interface controller (NIC) is connected to the management port and is configured to convey incoming management packets, which are directed by the switch to the first link-layer address, to the CPU for processing by the management agent, and to write directly to the memory data contained in incoming remote direct memory access (RDMA) packets, which are directed by the switch to the second link-layer address.

Abstract: A method for communication, in a network element that includes multiple ports, includes buffering data packets entering the network element via the ports in input buffers that are respectively associated with the ports. Storage of the data packets is shared among the input buffers by evaluating a condition related to the ports, and, when the condition is met, moving at least one data packet from a first input buffer of a first port to a second input buffer of a second port, different from the first port. Respective output ports, via which the buffered data packets are to exit the network element, are selected from among the ports. The buffered data packets are forwarded to the selected output ports.

Abstract: A system and method for accelerating input/output (IO) access operation on a virtual machine, The method comprises providing a smart IO device that includes an unrestricted command queue (CQ) and a plurality of restricted CQs and allowing a guest domain to directly configure and control IO resources through a respective restricted CQ, the IO resources allocated to the guest domain. In preferred embodiments, the allocation of IO resources to each guest domain is performed by a privileged virtual switching element. In some embodiments, the smart IO device is a HCA and the privileged virtual switching element is a Hypervisor.

Abstract: A system and method for accelerating input/output (IO) access operation on a virtual machine, The method comprises providing a smart IO device that includes an unrestricted command queue (CQ) and a plurality of restricted CQs and allowing a guest domain to directly configure and control IO resources through a respective restricted CQ, the IO resources allocated to the guest domain. In preferred embodiments, the allocation of IO resources to each guest domain is performed by a privileged virtual switching element. In some embodiments, the smart IO device is a HCA and the privileged virtual switching element is a Hypervisor.

Abstract: A system and method for accelerating input/output (IO) access operation on a virtual machine, The method comprises providing a smart IO device that includes an unrestricted command queue (CQ) and a plurality of restricted CQs and allowing a guest domain to directly configure and control IO resources through a respective restricted CQ, the IO resources allocated to the guest domain. In preferred embodiments, the allocation of IO resources to each guest domain is performed by a privileged virtual switching element. In some embodiments, the smart IO device is a HCA and the privileged virtual switching element is a Hypervisor.

Abstract: A method of implementing a logical unit reset across a plurality of interfaces in a distributed storage system, comprising: initiating a session for implementing the logical unit reset across the plurality of interfaces in response to receiving at a central controller a logical unit reset command from an originator interface, and writing session-data including an indication that the originator interface implemented the respective logical unit reset locally; communicating a logical unit reset command from the central controller to each interface other than the originator interface; updating the session data in response to receiving an indication from an interface that the logical unit was successfully reset locally and when each one of the plurality of interfaces implemented the logical unit reset locally, communicating a success response to each one of the plurality of interfaces.

Abstract: A method for communication, in a network element that includes multiple ports, includes buffering data packets entering the network element via the ports in input buffers that are respectively associated with the ports. Storage of the data packets is shared among the input buffers by evaluating a condition related to the ports, and, when the condition is met, moving at least one data packet from a first input buffer of a first port to a second input buffer of a second port, different from the first port. Respective output ports, via which the buffered data packets are to exit the network element, are selected from among the ports. The buffered data packets are forwarded to the selected output ports.

Abstract: Provided is a method for copying data as stored in at least one source storage entity, including copying data from a source storage entity into a destination storage entity and catering to at least one I/O operation directed toward the source storage entity during copying, the copying including reading at least one chunk of data in a predetermined order; and reading, responsive to a request, at least one relevant chunk containing data related to at least one I/O operation out of the predetermined order.

Abstract: A system and method for accelerating input/output (IO) access operation on a virtual machine, The method comprises providing a smart IO device that includes an unrestricted command queue (CQ) and a plurality of restricted CQs and allowing a guest domain to directly configure and control IO resources through a respective restricted CQ, the IO resources allocated to the guest domain. In preferred embodiments, the allocation of IO resources to each guest domain is performed by a privileged virtual switching element. In some embodiments, the smart IO device is a HCA and the privileged virtual switching element is a Hypervisor.

Abstract: A system and method for accelerating input/output (IO) access operation on a virtual machine, The method comprises providing a smart IO device that includes an unrestricted command queue (CQ) and a plurality of restricted CQs and allowing a guest domain to directly configure and control IO resources through a respective restricted CQ, the IO resources allocated to the guest domain. In preferred embodiments, the allocation of IO resources to each guest domain is performed by a privileged virtual switching element. In some embodiments, the smart IO device is a HCA and the privileged virtual switching element is a Hypervisor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for input/output command management. In embodiments of the invention an input/output command fully executes after a lock has been obtained for the command on all storage segments relating to the command, in a predetermined order. Some embodiments of the invention allow overlapping access to storage and/or to individual storage segments by a plurality of input/output commands. In some embodiments of the invention, prioritization of commands is facilitated through the usage of a sharing policy and/or wakeup policy.

Abstract: There is provided according to an example of the claimed subject matter, a system and a method for managing access to a shared storage entity. According to an example of the claimed subject matter, a system for managing access to a shared storage entity can include two or more initiator entities, two or more local sequencing agents and an arbitration module. Each of the two or more local sequencing agents can be associated with a respective one of two or more initiator entities which generate I/O requests for accessing the shared storage entity. Each local sequencing agent can be adapted to locally sequence its respective initiator entity's I/O requests.

Abstract: Systems and methods for input/output command management. In some cases of a write command received from a host, a maximum capacity limit relating to primary memory may be disregarded because data relating to the write command is written to backup memory prior to acknowledging the write command. In some of these cases, timeout is less likely than if the maximum capacity limit had been respected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for failure monitoring in a storage system. In some cases, a failed entity is detected based on an analysis of at least the indications obtained in return for input/output commands sent to multiple entities in the storage system. In some of these cases, it is also determined whether the failure is enduring or transient.

Abstract: A network interface adapter includes an outgoing packet generator, adapted to generate an outgoing request packet for delivery to a remote responder responsive to a request submitted by a host processor and a network output port, coupled to transmit the outgoing request packet over a network to the remote responder. A network input port receives an incoming response packet from the remote responder, in response to the outgoing request packet sent thereto, as well as an incoming request packet sent by a remote requester. An incoming packet processor receives and processes both the incoming response packet and the incoming request packet, and causes the outgoing packet generator, responsive to the incoming request packet, to generate, in addition to the outgoing request packet, an outgoing response packet for transmission to the remote requester.

Abstract: A storage system, including: (a) a primary storage entity utilized for storing a data-set of the storage system; (b) a secondary storage entity utilized for backing-up the data within the primary storage entity; (c) a flushing management module adapted to identify within the primary storage entity two groups of dirty data blocks, each group is comprised of dirty data blocks which are arranged within the secondary storage entity in a successive sequence, and to further identify within the primary storage entity a further group of backed-up data blocks which are arranged within the secondary storage entity in a successive sequence intermediately in-between the two identified groups of dirty data blocks; and (d) said flushing management module is adapted to combine the group of backed-up data blocks together with the two identified groups of dirty data blocks to form a successive extended flush sequence and to destage it to the secondary storage entity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a storage system which includes a primary storage space associated with a first plurality of VS devices, a temporary backup storage space associated with a second plurality of VS devices, a permanent backup storage space associated with a third plurality of NVS devices, a storage controller responsive to a write request including storing the data-element within the primary storage space and substantially immediately or concurrently storing recovery-enabling-data corresponding to the data-element within the temporary backup storage space, and asynchronously with the provisional redundant storage sequence, the controller is adapted to destage the recovery-enabling data to the permanent backup storage space, and one or more UPS units configured to provide backup power in case of power interruption to enable completion of destaging of recovery-enabling data for the entire data-set of the storage system.

Abstract: A method and system for digital communication wherein nodes exchange messages at a first data rate in order to coordinate testing at a second, higher data rate. After testing is completed, the nodes exchange test results at the first data rate, and if conditions are satisfactory for operation at the second data rate user data are transmitted at the second data rate. Otherwise, user data are transmitted at the first data rate.

Abstract: A system and method for accelerating input/output (IO) access operation on a virtual machine, The method comprises providing a smart IO device that includes an unrestricted command queue (CQ) and a plurality of restricted CQs and allowing a guest domain to directly configure and control IO resources through a respective restricted CQ, the IO resources allocated to the guest domain. In preferred embodiments, the allocation of IO resources to each guest domain is performed by a privileged virtual switching element. In some embodiments, the smart IO device is a HCA and the privileged virtual switching element is a Hypervisor.

Abstract: A method for preventing deadlock in communication between a host software application and a network interface card (NIC), comprises writing a doorbell associated with at least one descriptor having a descriptor context to a buffer in the NIC, dropping at least one doorbell from the buffer if the buffer is full, thereby allowing a write of a new doorbell to the buffer, and recovering each dropped doorbell for further execution of descriptors associated with this doorbell. The descriptor execution is in order of posting by the application to the NIC. A system implementing the method comprises a doorbell drop mechanism and a doorbell recovery mechanism.