Abstract: A method for migrating virtual machines (VMs) that includes creating a temporary storage area. The temporary storage area is created by a controller in a network that is in a first state. The configuration data for a VM is stored in the temporary storage area. The network is provisioned from the first state to a second state. The provisioning is by the controller and based on network locations of a source server and a target server. A message is transmitted to the target server. The message includes a request to migrate the VM from the source server to the target server, and an address of the temporary storage area. It is determined that the migration has completed and the temporary storage area is removed based on the determining that the migrant has completed.

Abstract: A method for network controller initialization that includes identifying a controller connected to a network as a primary controller that manages switches in the network. One or more other controllers connected to the network are identified as secondary controllers. A failover priority table is created. The failover table indicates an order that the one or more other controllers will replace the controller as the primary controller in the event that the controller enters a failure mode. The failover priority table is broadcast to the switches in the network.

Abstract: An aspect includes dynamic port type detection. A link initialization frame that includes a protocol identifier is received at a port of a switch. Based on successfully decoding the protocol identifier, the port is configured to a mode of operation compatible with the protocol identifier. A table in the switch is updated to configure one or more other ports of the switch to the mode of operation compatible with the protocol identifier. A handshake response is sent to acknowledge the successful decoding of the protocol identifier. If no handshake response is received at a server prior to expiration of a wait pulse repetition time, the server periodically transmits the link initialization frame with a different protocol identifier for an alternate mode of operation until the handshake response is received or all supported modes of operation are checked.

Abstract: A method of monitoring data flow in a network is provided. The method includes: configuring a data flow including a plurality of data packets by a switch controller, the switch controller configured to control routing through the switch and switch configuration, wherein configuring includes storing an indication of a flow control policy in one or more of the data packets; monitoring a network switch receiving the data flow, wherein monitoring includes determining flow statistics in the switch; determining whether a congestion condition exists for the data flow based on the flow statistics and the flow control policy; and based on determining that the congestion condition exists for the data flow, performing a remedial action specific to the data flow to address the congestion condition.

Abstract: An aspect includes dynamic port type detection. A link initialization frame that includes a protocol identifier is received at a port of a switch. Based on successfully decoding the protocol identifier, the port is configured to a mode of operation compatible with the protocol identifier. A table in the switch is updated to configure one or more other ports of the switch to the mode of operation compatible with the protocol identifier. A handshake response is sent to acknowledge the successful decoding of the protocol identifier. If no handshake response is received at a server prior to expiration of a wait pulse repetition time, the server periodically transmits the link initialization frame with a different protocol identifier for an alternate mode of operation until the handshake response is received or all supported modes of operation are checked.

Abstract: A method for network controller initialization that includes identifying a controller connected to a network as a primary controller that manages switches in the network. One or more other controllers connected to the network are identified as secondary controllers. A failover priority table is created. The failover table indicates an order that the one or more other controllers will replace the controller as the primary controller in the event that the controller enters a failure mode. The failover priority table is broadcast to the switches in the network.

Abstract: An aspect includes a method for providing direct communication between a server and a network switch in a cell-based fabric. A host channel adapter of a cell fabric hardware accelerator is configured to provide the server with direct access to memory within the network switch. A plurality of data packets having a fixed size is received at the host channel adapter from the server. The host channel adapter is coupled to a bus of the server. A direct transmission is performed from the cell fabric hardware accelerator to the memory within the network switch on an interconnect bus to write the data packets directly into the memory.

Abstract: An aspect includes dynamically adapting a maximum transmission unit (MTU) size in a computer network. A packet is received at a first link of a switch of the computer network. An MTU size of the received packet is determined based on an application programming interface (API) crossing value associated with the first link of the switch. An associated destination MTU size of a second link of the switch is determined as a target destination of the received packet. The associated destination MTU size of the second link is adjusted based on a difference between the MTU size of the received packet and the associated destination MTU size of the second link.

Abstract: A method for migrating virtual machines (VMs) that includes creating a temporary storage area. The temporary storage area is created by a controller in a network that is in a first state. The configuration data for a VM is stored in the temporary storage area. The network is provisioned from the first state to a second state. The provisioning is by the controller and based on network locations of a source server and a target server. A message is transmitted to the target server. The message includes a request to migrate the VM from the source server to the target server, and an address of the temporary storage area. It is determined that the migration has completed and the temporary storage area is removed based on the determining that the migrant has completed.

Abstract: Flow control in a data center Ethernet (DCE) network is managed between a source node and a destination node separated by an extended distance. An initiation sequence between the source node and the destination node is intercepted. The imitation sequence is for determining buffer credits available for receiving packets in the source node and the destination node. Replies are generated to the source node and the destination node indicating buffer credits available in at least one extended data interface interspersed between the source node and the destination node. The initiation sequence is completed based on the replies from the extended data interface.

Abstract: A wafer-scale apparatus and method is described for the automation of forming, aligning and attaching two-dimensional arrays of microoptic elements on semiconductor and other image display devices, backplanes, optoelectronic boards, and integrated optical systems. In an ordered fabrication sequence, a mold plate comprised of optically designed cavities is formed by reactive ion etching or alternative processes, optionally coated with a release material layer and filled with optically specified materials by an automated fluid-injection and defect-inspection subsystem. Optical alignment fiducials guide the disclosed transfer and attachment processes to achieve specified tolerances between the microoptic elements and corresponding optoelectronic devices and circuits.

Abstract: Dropped packets are recovered in a link layer of a Data Center Ethernet (DCE) network. Data packets for transmission are stored in a replay buffer. Each data packet includes a header having a field including data indicating that the data packet is formatted for reliable recovery at the link layer. The data packets are transmitted to a receiver across a link layer in the DCE network. The receiver determines whether a data packet has been dropped. If a data packet has not been dropped, an acknowledgement signal is sent to the transmitter in another data packet across the link layer, indicating that the data packet has been received. If a data packet has been dropped, a non-acknowledgement signal is sent to the transmitter in the other data packet across the link layer, indicating that the data packet has been dropped.

Abstract: A method for determining data packet transmission times in an Ethernet protocol including, receiving a first data packet having a first data packet send time, wherein the first data packet send time is a time the data packet is sent by a source transmitter, subtracting the first data packet send time from a first data packet receive time to yield a first data packet transmission time, wherein the first data packet receive time is the time the data packet is received by a destination receiver, comparing the first data packet transmission time to a third time, determining whether a difference between the first data packet transmission time and the third time exceeds a threshold value, and sending a notification of a transmission delay responsive to determining that the difference between the first data packet transmission time and the third time exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: Disclosed are a microlens array, and a method of positioning and aligning the microlens array on another device. Generally, the microlens array comprises an array of injection molded microlens elements, and a supporting flange. Each of the microlens elements has a generally spheroid or spherical shape, and the supporting flange connects together the array of microlens elements to facilitate positioning that array of lenses on a printed circuit board, semiconductor package or wafer. This array is well suited for use with vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs); and, in particular, the preferred embodiment of the invention addresses the problem of VCSEL laser array alignment by using arrays of microlenses elements fabricated by injection molding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a molded structure including both micro lenses and metallic pins. The method comprises the steps of providing a mold apparatus having a set of first cavities and a set of second cavities, depositing a first material in the first cavities to form a set of metallic pins, and depositing a second material in the second cavities to form a set of micro lenses. The formed molded structure comprises a substrate, a set of molded microlenses on said substrate, and a set of molded metallic pins on that same substrate. The metallic pins may be formed as alignment pins or as electrical connectors. The invention enables the micro lenses and metallic pins to be manufactured by way of molding on a common substrate for the first time.

Abstract: Techniques for measuring optical modulation amplitude (OMA) are disclosed. For example, a technique for measuring an OMA value associated with an input signal includes the following steps/operations. The input signal is applied to a photodetector, wherein the photodetector is calibrated to have a given responsivity value R, and further wherein the photodetector generates an output signal in response to the input signal. The output signal from the photodetector is applied to a radio frequency (RF) power meter, wherein the RF power meter measures the root mean squared (RMS) power value of the output signal received from the photodetector. The OMA value associated with the input signal is determined in response to the root mean squared (RMS) power value measured by the RF power meter. The OMA value may be determined as a function of a factor F derived from a relationship between an amplitude of a data signal and the RMS value of the data signal.

Abstract: The response time for resolving network traffic congestion is accelerated in a Data Center Ethernet (DCE) network. A data packet is received at a node in the network. Congestion of the data packet at the node is detected, and a backward congestion notification signal for the data packet is generated. A packet injection rate is adapted based on at least one of the backward congestion notification signal generated by the node and another backward congestion notification signal.

Abstract: Congestion is adaptively controlled in a data center Ethernet (DCE) network. Packets are received over at least one virtual lane in the DCE network. An absolute or relative packet arrival rate is computed over a time period. The absolute or relative packet arrival rate is compared to at least a first threshold and a second threshold. If the absolute or relative packet arrival rate increases beyond the first threshold, the packet transmission rate is caused to decrease. If the absolute or relative packet arrival rate is less than a second threshold, the packet transmission rate is caused to increase.

Abstract: Disclosed are a microlens array, and a method of positioning and aligning the microlens array on another device. Generally, the microlens array comprises an array of injection molded microlens elements, and a supporting flange. Each of the microlens elements has a generally spheroid or spherical shape, and the supporting flange connects together the array of microlens elements to facilitate positioning that array of lenses on a printed circuit board, semiconductor package or wafer. This array is well suited for use with vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs); and, in particular, the preferred embodiment of the invention addresses the problem of VCSEL laser array alignment by using arrays of microlenses elements fabricated by injection molding.

Abstract: Disclosed are a microlens array, and a method of positioning and aligning the microlens array on another device. Generally, the microlens array comprises an array of injection molded microlens elements, and a supporting flange. Each of the microlens elements has a generally spheroid or spherical shape, and the supporting flange connects together the array of microlens elements to facilitate positioning that array of lenses on a printed circuit board, semiconductor package or wafer. This array is well suited for use with vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs); and, in particular, the preferred embodiment of the invention addresses the problem of VCSEL laser array alignment by using arrays of microlenses elements fabricated by injection molding.