Patents by Inventor Bruce Ratcliff

Bruce Ratcliff has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11093362
    Abstract: In one example implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a parallel processor complex, a task to be executed by the parallel processor complex. The parallel processor complex includes a trace processor and a plurality of task execution processors, each of the plurality of task execution processors having a plurality of trace buffers associated exclusively therewith. The method further includes creating, by the trace processor, a trace entry by allocating an element from a shared queue. The method further includes loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into a common trace buffer. The method further includes loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into one of the plurality of trace buffers based at least in part on an interface identifier and a queue pair index record. The interface identifier identifies the one of the plurality of task execution processors with which the trace entry is associated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bruce Ratcliff
  • Patent number: 11086748
    Abstract: In one example implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a parallel processor complex, a task to be executed by the parallel processor complex. The parallel processor complex includes a trace processor and a plurality of task execution processors, each of the plurality of task execution processors having a plurality of trace buffers associated exclusively therewith. The method further includes creating, by the trace processor, a trace entry by allocating an element from a shared queue. The method further includes loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into a common trace buffer. The method further includes loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into one of the plurality of trace buffers based at least in part on an interface identifier and a queue pair index record. The interface identifier identifies the one of the plurality of task execution processors with which the trace entry is associated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bruce Ratcliff
  • Patent number: 10949097
    Abstract: A set of memory access operations is obtained. The set of memory access operations includes a plurality of memory access operations to be chained, in which the plurality of memory access operations are to be processed as an atomic unit. The plurality of memory access operations are executed in a particular order, and one or more results are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward W. Chencinski, Bruce Ratcliff, Eric N. Lais, Michael James Becht, Matthias Klein
  • Publication number: 20200081627
    Abstract: A set of memory access operations is obtained. The set of memory access operations includes a plurality of memory access operations to be chained, in which the plurality of memory access operations are to be processed as an atomic unit. The plurality of memory access operations are executed in a particular order, and one or more results are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Edward W. Chencinski, Bruce Ratcliff, Eric N. Lais, Michael James Becht, Matthias Klein
  • Patent number: 10552054
    Abstract: A set of memory access operations is obtained. The set of memory access operations includes a plurality of memory access operations to be chained, in which the plurality of memory access operations are to be processed as an atomic unit. The plurality of memory access operations are executed in a particular order, and one or more results are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward W. Chencinski, Bruce Ratcliff, Eric N. Lais, Michael James Becht, Matthias Klein
  • Publication number: 20200004433
    Abstract: A set of memory access operations is obtained. The set of memory access operations includes a plurality of memory access operations to be chained, in which the plurality of memory access operations are to be processed as an atomic unit. The plurality of memory access operations are executed in a particular order, and one or more results are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Edward W. Chencinski, Bruce Ratcliff, Eric N. Lais, Michael James Becht, Matthias Klein
  • Publication number: 20190294520
    Abstract: In one example implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a parallel processor complex, a task to be executed by the parallel processor complex. The parallel processor complex includes a trace processor and a plurality of task execution processors, each of the plurality of task execution processors having a plurality of trace buffers associated exclusively therewith. The method further includes creating, by the trace processor, a trace entry by allocating an element from a shared queue. The method further includes loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into a common trace buffer. The method further includes loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into one of the plurality of trace buffers based at least in part on an interface identifier and a queue pair index record. The interface identifier identifies the one of the plurality of task execution processors with which the trace entry is associated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventor: Bruce Ratcliff
  • Publication number: 20190294521
    Abstract: In one example implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a parallel processor complex, a task to be executed by the parallel processor complex. The parallel processor complex includes a trace processor and a plurality of task execution processors, each of the plurality of task execution processors having a plurality of trace buffers associated exclusively therewith. The method further includes creating, by the trace processor, a trace entry by allocating an element from a shared queue. The method further includes loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into a common trace buffer. The method further includes loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into one of the plurality of trace buffers based at least in part on an interface identifier and a queue pair index record. The interface identifier identifies the one of the plurality of task execution processors with which the trace entry is associated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventor: Bruce Ratcliff
  • Patent number: 10423511
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for packet flow tracing in a parallel processor complex are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include receiving, at the parallel processor complex, a task to be executed by the parallel processor complex, wherein the parallel processor complex comprises a trace processor and a plurality of task execution processors; creating, by the trace processor, a trace entry by allocating an element from a shared queue; loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into a common trace buffer; and loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into a host interface/queue pair index trace buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bruce Ratcliff
  • Patent number: 10417109
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for packet flow tracing in a parallel processor complex are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include receiving, at the parallel processor complex, a task to be executed by the parallel processor complex, wherein the parallel processor complex comprises a trace processor and a plurality of task execution processors; creating, by the trace processor, a trace entry by allocating an element from a shared queue; loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into a common trace buffer; and loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into a host interface/queue pair index trace buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bruce Ratcliff
  • Patent number: 10164868
    Abstract: A physical host executes a virtual machine monitor (VMM) that instantiates a source virtual machine (VM). In response to the VMM receiving from the source VM a packet specifying a first destination address of a destination VM and a second destination address of a default gateway, the VMM determines whether the packet can be communicated to the destination VM without the packet being routed by the default gateway. In response to the VMM determining that the packet can be communicated to the destination VM without the packet being routed by the default gateway, the VMM forwards the packet to the destination VM such that the packet bypasses routing by the default gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Cowart, David Hadas, Daniel J. Martin, Bruce Ratcliff, Renato Recio
  • Patent number: 10142218
    Abstract: A physical host executes a virtual machine monitor (VMM) that instantiates a source virtual machine (VM). In response to the VMM receiving from the source VM a packet specifying a first destination address of a destination VM and a second destination address of a default gateway, the VMM determines whether the packet can be communicated to the destination VM without the packet being routed by the default gateway. In response to the VMM determining that the packet can be communicated to the destination VM without the packet being routed by the default gateway, the VMM forwards the packet to the destination VM such that the packet bypasses routing by the default gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Cowart, David Hadas, Daniel J. Martin, Bruce Ratcliff, Renato Recio
  • Patent number: 10097508
    Abstract: Facilitating communications within a processing environment. Inbound traffic and outbound traffic on one or more virtual interfaces of the processing environment are monitored for a predefined amount of time. Based on the monitoring, a determination is made as to whether for a selected component of a virtual interface of the one or more virtual interfaces an inbound frame has been received but an outbound frame has not been transmitted for the predetermined amount of time. Based on determining that the inbound frame has been received but the outbound frame has not been transmitted, a generated outbound frame is forwarded to cause address registration information for the virtual interface to be refreshed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Haggar, Bruce Ratcliff, Benjamin T. Rau, Jerry W. Stevens
  • Patent number: 10091083
    Abstract: Facilitating communications within a processing environment. Inbound traffic and outbound traffic on one or more virtual interfaces of the processing environment are monitored for a predefined amount of time. Based on the monitoring, a determination is made as to whether for a selected component of a virtual interface of the one or more virtual interfaces an inbound frame has been received but an outbound frame has not been transmitted for the predetermined amount of time. Based on determining that the inbound frame has been received but the outbound frame has not been transmitted, a generated outbound frame is forwarded to cause address registration information for the virtual interface to be refreshed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Haggar, Bruce Ratcliff, Benjamin T. Rau, Jerry W. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20180150374
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for packet flow tracing in a parallel processor complex are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include receiving, at the parallel processor complex, a task to be executed by the parallel processor complex, wherein the parallel processor complex comprises a trace processor and a plurality of task execution processors; creating, by the trace processor, a trace entry by allocating an element from a shared queue; loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into a common trace buffer; and loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into a host interface/queue pair index trace buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventor: Bruce Ratcliff
  • Publication number: 20180152368
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for packet flow tracing in a parallel processor complex are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include receiving, at the parallel processor complex, a task to be executed by the parallel processor complex, wherein the parallel processor complex comprises a trace processor and a plurality of task execution processors; creating, by the trace processor, a trace entry by allocating an element from a shared queue; loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into a common trace buffer; and loading, by the trace processor, the trace entry into a host interface/queue pair index trace buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventor: Bruce Ratcliff
  • Patent number: 9667593
    Abstract: Facilitating communications within a processing environment. Inbound traffic and outbound traffic on one or more virtual interfaces of the processing environment are monitored for a predefined amount of time. Based on the monitoring, a determination is made as to whether for a selected component of a virtual interface of the one or more virtual interfaces an inbound frame has been received but an outbound frame has not been transmitted for the predetermined amount of time. Based on determining that the inbound frame has been received but the outbound frame has not been transmitted, a generated outbound frame is forwarded to cause address registration information for the virtual interface to be refreshed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Haggar, Bruce Ratcliff, Benjamin T. Rau, Jerry W. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20170141985
    Abstract: Facilitating communications within a processing environment. Inbound traffic and outbound traffic on one or more virtual interfaces of the processing environment are monitored for a predefined amount of time. Based on the monitoring, a determination is made as to whether for a selected component of a virtual interface of the one or more virtual interfaces an inbound frame has been received but an outbound frame has not been transmitted for the predetermined amount of time. Based on determining that the inbound frame has been received but the outbound frame has not been transmitted, a generated outbound frame is forwarded to cause address registration information for the virtual interface to be refreshed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. HAGGAR, Bruce RATCLIFF, Benjamin T. RAU, Jerry W. STEVENS
  • Publication number: 20170126620
    Abstract: Facilitating communications within a processing environment. Inbound traffic and outbound traffic on one or more virtual interfaces of the processing environment are monitored for a predefined amount of time. Based on the monitoring, a determination is made as to whether for a selected component of a virtual interface of the one or more virtual interfaces an inbound frame has been received but an outbound frame has not been transmitted for the predetermined amount of time. Based on determining that the inbound frame has been received but the outbound frame has not been transmitted, a generated outbound frame is forwarded to cause address registration information for the virtual interface to be refreshed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. HAGGAR, Bruce RATCLIFF, Benjamin T. RAU, Jerry W. STEVENS
  • Patent number: 9634985
    Abstract: Facilitating communications within a processing environment. Inbound traffic and outbound traffic on one or more virtual interfaces of the processing environment are monitored for a predefined amount of time. Based on the monitoring, a determination is made as to whether for a selected component of a virtual interface of the one or more virtual interfaces an inbound frame has been received but an outbound frame has not been transmitted for the predetermined amount of time. Based on determining that the inbound frame has been received but the outbound frame has not been transmitted, a generated outbound frame is forwarded to cause address registration information for the virtual interface to be refreshed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Haggar, Bruce Ratcliff, Benjamin T. Rau, Jerry W. Stevens