Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for delivering a plurality of packets from a network switch to a receiving node. The method may comprise collecting a plurality of packets received at the network switch during a time window; arranging the plurality of packets based on a source address, a package number, and a destination address for each one of the plurality of packets collected during the time window; and delivering the arranged plurality of packets to the receiving node.

Abstract: A primary I/O adapter and a redundant I/O adapter of a data processing system are assigned to support access to a system resource. While the primary I/O adapter is in service and the redundant I/O adapter is not in service in providing access to the system resource, a fail over command is issued to remove the primary I/O adapter from service and place the redundant I/O adapter in service in supporting access to the system resource. While the redundant I/O adapter is in service and the primary I/O adapter is not in service in providing access to the system resource, diagnostic testing on the primary I/O adapter is performed. In response to the diagnostic testing revealing no fault in the primary I/O adapter, a fail back command is issued to restore the primary I/O adapter to service and to remove the redundant I/O adapter from service.

Abstract: Mechanisms for reducing the idle time of a computing device due to delays in transmitting/receiving acknowledgement packets are provided. A first data amount corresponding to a window size for a communication connection is determined. A second data amount, in excess of the first data amount, which may be transmitted with the first data amount, is calculated. The first and second data amounts are then transmitted from the sender to the receiver. The first data amount is provided to the receiver in a receive buffer of the receiver. The second data amount is maintained in a switch port buffer of a switch port without being provided to the receive buffer. The second data amount is transmitted from the switch port buffer to the receive buffer in response to the switch port detecting an acknowledgement packet from the receiver.

Abstract: Transferring data in a data processing system network is provided. Transferring data in a data processing system network according to the invention includes determining an adapter among a plurality of adapters that has the lowest transmit latency, and assigning data to be transferred to the adapter determined to have the lowest transmit latency. The data to be transferred is then transferred by the assigned adapter.

Abstract: The method determines whether a particular jumbo data packet benefits from fragmentation and reassembly management during communication through a network or networks. The method determines the best communication path, including path partners, between a sending information handling system (IHS) and a receiving IHS for the jumbo packet. A packet manager determines the maximum transmission unit (MTU) size for each path partner or switch in the communication path including the sending and receiving IHSs. The method provides transfer of the jumbo packets intact between those path partner switches of the communication path exhibiting MTU sized for jumbo or larger packet transfer. The method provides fragmentation of jumbo packets into multiple normal packets for transfer between switches exhibiting normal packet MTU sizes. The packet manager reassembles multiple normal packets back into jumbo packets for those network devices, including the receiving IHS, capable of managing jumbo packets.

Abstract: A primary I/O adapter and a redundant I/O adapter of a data processing system are assigned to support access to a system resource. While the primary I/O adapter is in service and the redundant I/O adapter is not in service in providing access to the system resource, a fail over command is issued to remove the primary I/O adapter from service and place the redundant I/O adapter in service in supporting access to the system resource. While the redundant I/O adapter is in service and the primary I/O adapter is not in service in providing access to the system resource, diagnostic testing on the primary I/O adapter is performed. In response to the diagnostic testing revealing no fault in the primary I/O adapter, a fail back command is issued to restore the primary I/O adapter to service and to remove the redundant I/O adapter from service.

Abstract: A primary I/O adapter and a redundant I/O adapter of a data processing system are assigned to support access to a system resource. While the primary I/O adapter is in service and the redundant I/O adapter is not in service in providing access to the system resource, a fail over command is issued to remove the primary I/O adapter from service and place the redundant I/O adapter in service in supporting access to the system resource. While the redundant I/O adapter is in service and the primary I/O adapter is not in service in providing access to the system resource, diagnostic testing on the primary I/O adapter is performed. In response to the diagnostic testing revealing no fault in the primary I/O adapter, a fail back command is issued to restore the primary I/O adapter to service and to remove the redundant I/O adapter from service.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for transferring data from a memory to a network adapter in a data processing system. The frame size for a transfer of the data from the memory to the network adapter is identified. If the frame size is divisible by a cache line size without a remainder, a valid data length is set equal to the length field. However, if the frame size divided by the cache line size results in a remainder, the length field is set to align the data with the cache line size. The data transfer is then initiated using these fields.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for delivering a plurality of packets from a network switch to a receiving node. The method may comprise collecting a plurality of packets received at the network switch during a time window; arranging the plurality of packets based on a source address, a package number, and a destination address for each one of the plurality of packets collected during the time window; and delivering the arranged plurality of packets to the receiving node.

Abstract: A method in a data processing system for managing transmission of pause frames. In response to detecting an overflow condition during a receipt of data from a network, enabling flow control in response to detecting the overflow condition. The flow control is enabled as long as the overflow condition is present. A determination is made as to whether the operating system unavailable after a period of time passes. If the operating system believed to have crashed and flow control is enabled, the flow control is disabled.

Abstract: A method for Ethernet packet load balancing includes receiving a transmit packet for transmission on an Ethernet network. An offload adapter identifies a least busy port from a plurality of ports indicated in a port list, based on a byte count associated with each of the plurality of ports. The offload adapter determines whether the identified least busy port is in a working status. In the event an identified least busy port is in a working status, the offload adapter assigns the transmit packet to the identified least busy port and increments the byte count associated with the identified least busy port. In the event an identified least busy port is not in a working status, the offload adapter updates the port list and, based on a determination that there are additional working ports, assigns the transmit packet to one of the additional working ports.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements to monitor communication components such as a network adapters for activity, and identify components that have lower than normal levels of activity are provided. An identified communication component can become suspect component and a candidate for further testing, including different forms of interrogation. Process for interrogating candidates can include generating and sending test packets having the media access control (MAC) address of the candidate to the candidate and if activity is not detected subsequent to the interrogation, the candidate can be flagged as a failed component. Correspondingly, the component can be deactivated and removed from service. In a further embodiment, a backup component can be activated and assume the role previously held by the failed component.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed in a data processing system for avoiding data loss during network port recovery. A first network port is linked to a second network port via a network. The second network port transmits data to the first network port via the network. A determination is made that the first network port needs to be reinitialized. Prior to the first network port executing a re-initialization process, the first network port notifies the second network port to pause its data transmissions to the first network port.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements to monitor communication components such as a network adapters for activity, and identify components that have lower than normal levels of activity are provided. An identified communication component can become suspect component and a candidate for further testing, including different forms of interrogation. Process for interrogating candidates can include generating and sending test packets having the media access control (MAC) address of the candidate to the candidate and if activity is not detected subsequent to the interrogation, the candidate can be flagged as a failed component. Correspondingly, the component can be deactivated and removed from service. In a further embodiment, a backup component can be activated and assume the role previously held by the failed component.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product in a data processing system are disclosed for dynamically selecting software buffers for aggregation in order to optimize system performance. Data to be transferred to a device is received. The data is stored in a chain of software buffers. Current characteristics of the system are determined. Software buffers to be combined are then dynamically selected. This selection is made according to the characteristics of the system in order to maximize performance of the system.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for monitoring health of a data processing system. A determination is made whether a response is received within a first time period in response to an I/O device sending a receive descriptor to the data processing system. A determination is made whether a second time period passes before the receive descriptor becomes available for sending to the data processing system in response to an unavailability of the receive descriptor for sending by the I/O device to the data processing system. A health check is performed on the data processing system if the first time period passes without receiving a response. A health check is performed on the data processing system if the second time period passes without a receive descriptor becoming available to send the data processing system.

Abstract: Mechanisms for reducing the idle time of a computing device due to delays in transmitting/receiving acknowledgement packets are provided. A first data amount corresponding to a window size for a communication connection is determined. A second data amount, in excess of the first data amount, which may be transmitted with the first data amount, is calculated. The first and second data amounts are then transmitted from the sender to the receiver. The first data amount is provided to the receiver in a receive buffer of the receiver. The second data amount is maintained in a switch port buffer of a switch port without being provided to the receive buffer. The second data amount is transmitted from the switch port buffer to the receive buffer in response to the switch port detecting an acknowledgement packet from the receiver.

Abstract: A primary I/O adapter and a redundant I/O adapter of a data processing system are assigned to support access to a system resource. While the primary I/O adapter is in service and the redundant I/O adapter is not in service in providing access to the system resource, a fail over command is issued to remove the primary I/O adapter from service and place the redundant I/O adapter in service in supporting access to the system resource. While the redundant I/O adapter is in service and the primary I/O adapter is not in service in providing access to the system resource, diagnostic testing on the primary I/O adapter is performed. In response to the diagnostic testing revealing no fault in the primary I/O adapter, a fail back command is issued to restore the primary I/O adapter to service and to remove the redundant I/O adapter from service.

Abstract: A method of reducing Ethernet power consumption in a network having an operating system by reducing an Ethernet link speed to a minimum rate required for current data link traffic, and automatically commanding an Ethernet adapter/cable to decrease or increase a link rate by dynamically auto-negotiating an Ethernet port by IEEE standards to a lower or higher link rate without user intervention.

Abstract: A method in a data processing system for managing transmission of pause frames. In response to detecting an overflow condition during a receipt of data from a network, enabling flow control in response to detecting the overflow condition. The flow control is enabled as long as the overflow condition is present. A determination is made as to whether the operating system unavailable after a period of time passes. If the operating system believed to have crashed and flow control is enabled, the flow control is disabled.