Abstract: A method for establishing a virtual channel between network devices is disclosed. In the case of a local network device establishing a virtual channel with a remote network device, a virtual channel request message is sent from the local network device to the remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are received and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are sent. The virtual channel is then enabled. In the case of a remote network device establishing a virtual channel with a local network device, a virtual channel request message is received from a local network device by a remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are sent and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are received. The virtual channel is then enabled.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for communication between processors. Rather than provide an external network connection solely for providing a communication link between CPUs, the present invention utilizes the network devices to transfer information between CPUs. A transmitting network device marks a control packet, which is intended as a communication between CPUs, as control traffic. The receiving network device will determine whether the received control packet is intended for its own CPU and provide the control packet to its CPU if that is the case.

Abstract: Methods and network device apparatus for discovering interconnections between a plurality of network devices are disclosed. An example network device apparatus includes a first stack port configured to couple the network device with a next network device and a second stack port configured to couple the network device with a previous network device. The example network device is configured to send, to the next network device through the first stack port, a first probe packet and a routing packet. The example network device is further configured to receive, from the previous network device through the second stack port, a second probe packet and the routing packet. The example network device is still further configured to confirm that the previous network device and the next network device have received configuration information included in the routing packet.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for constructing dispatch tables match application program interface service routines. The invention includes reading a header file of the application program interface. The invention further includes generating a corresponding dispatch table for at least one device indicated in the header file, wherein the corresponding dispatch tables are generated based on information read from the header file. The invention further includes verifying that the information contained in the dispatch tables is consistent with current requirements of the application program interface.

Abstract: The invention includes a method system and apparatus for an asynchronous event notification. In the event that a system-wide application requires notification of an asynchronous event that occurs in a remote device within the communications system, the event is locally detected and the necessary information is forwarded to the application.

Abstract: A scaling device or striper improves the lane efficiency of switch fabric. The striper controls or adjusts transfer modes and payload sizes of a large variety of devices operating with different protocols. The striper interfaces between network devices and the switch fabric, and the resulting switching system is configurable by a single controller. A source device sends a data packet to its corresponding striper for transmission across the switch fabric to a destination device. The corresponding striper parses the packet to determine its type and payload length, and divides the packet into numerous smaller segments when the payload length exceeds a predetermined length. The segments may be stored in the striper to adapt to the available bandwidth of the switch. The segments are sent across the switch fabric and reassembled at a destination striper. The packet as reassembled is forwarded to the destination device.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for decoupling devices in a network for use by a system-wide application. The invention includes accumulating configuration information for the network, wherein the network includes a plurality of units, and each of the units includes a processor and at least one switch device. The invention further includes analyzing the configuration information and determining a logical configuration for the network based on the analyzed configuration information. The invention further includes virtually attaching a remote switch device to the network.

Abstract: A method for establishing a virtual channel between network devices is disclosed. In the case of a local network device establishing a virtual channel with a remote network device, a virtual channel request message is sent from the local network device to the remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are received and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are sent. The virtual channel is then enabled. In the case of a remote network device establishing a virtual channel with a local network device, a virtual channel request message is received from a local network device by a remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are sent and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are received. The virtual channel is then enabled.

Abstract: The invention is a method system and apparatus for a group driver. In the event that a system-wide application is needed, a plurality of devices that belong to the system are identified and divided into groups. The groups include a processor and at least one device such as a switch. Once the groups are determined, the system-wide application is transmitted to the devices via the group processors.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically trunking ports connecting network devices arranged in a stacked configuration is provided. The method includes sending a packet, from a sending network device to at least one other receiving network device, through each of a plurality of ports of the network device. The packet includes at least an identifier for identifying the sending network device. The receiving network device maintains a table identifying which ports are connected to a neighboring network device. The network device automatically trunks the ports which are connected to the same network device.

Abstract: A method for establishing a virtual channel between network devices is disclosed. In the case of a local network device establishing a virtual channel with a remote network device, a virtual channel request message is sent from the local network device to the remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are received and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are sent. The virtual channel is then enabled. In the case of a remote network device establishing a virtual channel with a local network device, a virtual channel request message is received from a local network device by a remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are sent and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are received. The virtual channel is then enabled.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for executing embedded functions in endpoint devices by proxy in a shared PCI Express subsystem. The shared subsystem comprises a plurality of proxy devices coupled to a PCIe fabric, wherein each one of the proxy devices is associated with an endpoint device and coupled to a controlling server through a PCIe link. An associated proxy device comprises a copy of the configuration space of the target endpoint device. Embedded functions of an endpoint device can be accessed by controlling servers through the associated proxy devices. Devices in the shared subsystem use PCI protocol to communicate. The duplication of the endpoint configuration space in the proxy device is administrated by a proxy configuration manager. The proxy device translates destination addresses in upstream and downstream transactions. A proxy interrupt conveyance mechanism relays interrupt messages from an endpoint device to the controlling server via the associated proxy device.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically trunking ports connecting network devices arranged in a stacked configuration is provided. The method includes sending a packet, from a sending network device to at least one other receiving network device, through each of a plurality of ports of the network device. The packet includes at least an identifier for identifying the sending network device. The receiving network device maintains a table identifying which ports are connected to a neighboring network device.

Abstract: A universal routing identifier (URID) is provided to extend the function space in PCI-Express fabrics. Methods and systems based on the URID are provided for configuring URID capable devices and upgrading PCI-Express bridges and switches having lookup tables with access control functionality. The lookup table entry contains URIDs of destination ports, backup ports, acceptance ports, and permitted ports for downstream and upstream filtering, routing and arbitrating of transaction packets. URID capable devices can be incrementally added to current PCI-Express bridges and switches. A configuration mechanism is added to the current PCI/PCI-Express enumeration software. The URID capabilities can be disabled to maintain system compatibility. A URID capable PCI-Express system is able to address ten of thousands single-function devices. A URID capability segment field is provided in the current PCI-Express configuration space.

Abstract: A method and system for discovering interconnections between a plurality of network devices arranged in a stacked configuration is provided. A probe packet, including a tag indicating a transmit port from which the probe packet was transmitted and a receive port at which the probe packet was received, is sent from one network device to a next network device. A routing packet is sent from each of the network devices, including information regarding the configuration of the stack of network devices. A master network device is elected. The master network device sends a topology packet, which includes final configuration information, to the other network devices.

Abstract: Embodiments provide load balancing in a virtual computing environment comprising a plurality of PCI-Express switches (the PCIe switching cloud) coupled to a plurality of network interface devices (NICs). An NIC cluster is added between the PCIe switching cloud and the NICs. The NIC cluster is configured to hide NICs from system images and allow the system images to access functions across multiple NICs. The NIC cluster of an embodiment dynamically load balances network resources by performing a hashing function on a header field of received packets. The NIC cluster of an embodiment performs load balancing and state management in association with driver software, which is embedded in the system image. The driver software adds a tag for flow identification to downstream data packets. The NIC cluster distributes data packets based on information in the tag.

Abstract: Methods and network device apparatus for discovering interconnections between a plurality of network devices are disclosed. An example network device apparatus includes a first stack port configured to couple the network device with a next network device and a second stack port configured to couple the network device with a previous network device. The example network device is configured to send, to the next network device through the first stack port, a first probe packet and a routing packet. The example network device is further configured to receive, from the previous network device through the second stack port, a second probe packet and the routing packet. The example network device is still further configured to confirm that the previous network device and the next network device have received configuration information included in the routing packet.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for executing embedded functions in endpoint devices by proxy in a shared PCI Express subsystem. The shared subsystem comprises a plurality of proxy devices coupled to a PCIe fabric, wherein each one of the proxy devices is associated with an endpoint device and coupled to a controlling server through a PCIe link. An associated proxy device comprises a copy of the configuration space of the target endpoint device. Embedded functions of an endpoint device can be accessed by controlling servers through the associated proxy devices. Devices in the shared subsystem use PCI protocol to communicate. The duplication of the endpoint configuration space in the proxy device is administrated by a proxy configuration manager. The proxy device translates destination addresses in upstream and downstream transactions. A proxy interrupt conveyance mechanism relays interrupt messages from an endpoint device to the controlling server via the associated proxy device.

Abstract: A scaling device or striper improves the lane efficiency of switch fabric. The striper controls or adjusts transfer modes and payload sizes of a large variety of devices operating with different protocols. The striper interfaces between network devices and the switch fabric, and the resulting switching system is configurable by a single controller. A source device sends a data packet to its corresponding striper for transmission across the switch fabric to a destination device. The corresponding striper parses the packet to determine its type and payload length, and divides the packet into numerous smaller segments when the payload length exceeds a predetermined length. The segments may be stored in the striper to adapt to the available bandwidth of the switch. The segments are sent across the switch fabric and reassembled at a destination striper. The packet as reassembled is forwarded to the destination device.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically trunking ports connecting network devices arranged in a stacked configuration is provided. The method includes sending a packet, from a sending network device to at least one other receiving network device, through each of a plurality of ports of the network device. The packet includes at least an identifier for identifying the sending network device. The receiving network device maintains a table identifying which ports are connected to a neighboring network device. The network device automatically trunks the ports which are connected to the same network device.