Abstract: Presented herein are techniques enable existing hardware input/output resources, such as the hardware queues (queue control registers), of a network interface card to be shared with different hosts (i.e., each queue mapped to many hosts) by logically segregating the hardware I/O resources using assignable interfaces each associated with a distinct Process Address Space Identifier (PASID). That is, different assignable interfaces are created and associated with different PASIDs, and these assignable interfaces each correspond to a different host (i.e., there is a mapping between a host, an assignable interface, a PASID, and a partition of a hardware queue). The result is that that the hosts can use the assignable interface to directly access the hardware queue partition that corresponds thereto.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a process for general-purpose ring buffer handling in a network controller. Specifically, general purpose ring buffers are used in software queue on both the host domain and the network controller to carry out user-defined protocols. The protocols define the relationship of the ring buffers in the host domain and the network controller domain (e.g. how data is moved and processed). The protocols minimize interruptions to the network controller. Furthermore, the implementation of ring buffers in the network controller domain also provides additional resources to the host domain for carrying out the user-defined protocols.

Abstract: Presented herein are methodologies for increasing effective throughput on a network. A method includes receiving a command request via a communication bus, the command request including a command ID, determining, based on the command ID, whether data in the command request is to be joined with data from other command requests having the same command ID, when it is determined, based on the command ID, that the data in the command request is to be joined with other data from other command requests having the same command ID, writing the data to a selected buffer in which the other data is already stored, and causing the data and the other data in the buffer to be sent as a payload of a single packet across a communications fabric.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques enable existing hardware input/output resources, such as the hardware queues (queue control registers), of a network interface card to be shared with different hosts (i.e., each queue mapped to many hosts) by logically segregating the hardware I/O resources using assignable interfaces each associated with a distinct Process Address Space Identifier (PASID). That is, different assignable interfaces are created and associated with different PASIDs, and these assignable interfaces each correspond to a different host (i.e., there is a mapping between a host, an assignable interface, a PASID, and a partition of a hardware queue). The result is that that the hosts can use the assignable interface to directly access the hardware queue partition that corresponds thereto.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a process for general-purpose ring buffer handling in a network controller. Specifically, general purpose ring buffers are used in software queue on both the host domain and the network controller to carry out user-defined protocols. The protocols define the relationship of the ring buffers in the host domain and the network controller domain (e.g. how data is moved and processed). The protocols minimize interruptions to the network controller. Furthermore, the implementation of ring buffers in the network controller domain also provides additional resources to the host domain for carrying out the user-defined protocols.

Abstract: Presented herein are methodologies for increasing effective throughput on a network. A method includes receiving a command request via a communication bus, the command request including a command ID, determining, based on the command ID, whether data in the command request is to be joined with data from other command requests having the same command ID, when it is determined, based on the command ID, that the data in the command request is to be joined with other data from other command requests having the same command ID, writing the data to a selected buffer in which the other data is already stored, and causing the data and the other data in the buffer to be sent as a payload of a single packet across a communications fabric.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for alleviating congestion in a network system. In this method, the receipt of data packets destined for a destination apparatus is detected. Flow control signals are also received with each flow control signal corresponding to a data packet. Various time periods are tracked with each time period being between the detection of the receipt of a data packet and the receipt of tracked corresponding flow control signal. An average of the time periods is calculated and this average is compared to a threshold. One or more data packets are dropped in reference to the comparison.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for using credits to determine cable length are described herein. A number of available credits is determined at a transmitter, the credits being received at the transmitter from a receiver, and each of the credits being used for the transmitter to transmit a packet to the receiver. An average number of credits for a period is determined. The cable length between the transmitter and the receiver is determined based on the average number of credits for the period.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for using credits to determine cable length are described herein. A number of available credits is determined at a transmitter, the credits being received at the transmitter from a receiver, and each of the credits being used for the transmitter to transmit a packet to the receiver. An average number of credits for a period is determined. The cable length between the transmitter and the receiver is determined based on the average number of credits for the period.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for controlling congestion in a network system. In this method, receipt of a data packet that is destined for a destination switching apparatus is detected. Subsequent to the detection of the data packet, a time that has elapsed while flow control is implemented by the destination switching apparatus is tracked. The data packet is dropped based on the elapsed time exceeding a predefined time period.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for alleviating congestion in a network system. In this method, the receipt of data packets destined for a destination apparatus is detected. Flow control signals are also received with each flow control signal corresponding to a data packet. Various time periods are tracked with each time period being between the detection of the receipt of a data packet and the receipt of tracked corresponding flow control signal. An average of the time periods is calculated and this average is compared to a threshold. One or more data packets are dropped in reference to the comparison.