Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for mapping all possible paths between a source node and a destination node. During operation, the system receives a management frame, determines all possible next-hop nodes based on a destination address carried in the payload of the management frame. The system then selects one of the next-hop nodes, and modifies payload of the received management frame to include information associated with the next-hop nodes and the selected next-hop node. The system then forwards the modified data frame to the selected next-hop node.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for mapping all possible paths between a source node and a destination node. During operation, the system receives a management frame, determines all possible next-hop nodes based on a destination address carried in the payload of the management frame. The system then selects one of the next-hop nodes, and modifies payload of the received management frame to include information associated with the next-hop nodes and the selected next-hop node. The system then forwards the modified data frame to the selected next-hop node.

Abstract: A system and method for providing transparent communications between an Infiniband (IB) network and a Fibre Channel (FC) network are disclosed. One method comprises: (a) detecting FC node ports in the FC network; (b) creating virtual IB targets for each FC node port in the FC network; and (c) converting IB packets directed to the virtual IB targets into FC frames directed to the corresponding FC node port. It may further comprise intercepting management packets directed to the virtual IB targets and responsively emulating a subnet management agent (SMA) of the addressed virtual IB target. Another method comprises: (a) detecting IB channel adapters; (b) creating a virtual FC target for each IB channel adapter; and (c) converting any FC frames directed to the virtual FC targets into IB packets directed to the corresponding IB channel adapter. Fabric frames directed to the virtual FC targets may be intercepted and handled appropriately.

Abstract: A system and method for providing transparent communications between an Infiniband (IB) network and a Fibre Channel (FC) network are disclosed. One method comprises: (a) detecting FC node ports in the FC network; (b) creating virtual IB targets for each FC node port in the FC network; and (c) converting IB packets directed to the virtual IB targets into FC frames directed to the corresponding FC node port. It may further comprise intercepting management packets directed to the virtual IB targets and responsively emulating a subnet management agent (SMA) of the addressed virtual IB target. Another method comprises: (a) detecting IB channel adapters; (b) creating a virtual FC target for each IB channel adapter; and (c) converting any FC frames directed to the virtual FC targets into IB packets directed to the corresponding IB channel adapter. Fabric frames directed to the virtual FC targets may be intercepted and handled appropriately.

Abstract: An Inifiniband (IB) network that incorporates a Fibre Channel (FC) network is disclosed. The IB and FC networks are coupled by a gateway that maps the FC network to a virtual IB network. In generating the virtual IB network, the gateway may provide a virtual IB target for each node port in the FC network, and may further provide a minimum number of virtual IB switches necessary to support the virtual IB targets. The gateway assigns a globally unique identifier (GUID) to each of the virtual IB targets, and may further associate local identifiers (LID) with the virtual IB targets. The gateway preferably emulates subnet management agents (SMA) and general service agents (GSA) of the virtual IB targets when management IB packets are received, and the gateway preferably converts non-management IB packets directed to the virtual IB targets into FC frames directed to the corresponding target FC devices.

Abstract: A system and method for providing transparent communications between an Infiniband (IB) network and a Fibre Channel (FC) network are disclosed. One method comprises: (a) detecting FC node ports in the FC network; (b) creating virtual IB targets for each FC node port in the FC network; and (c) converting IB packets directed to the virtual IB targets into FC frames directed to the corresponding FC node port. It may further comprise intercepting management packets directed to the virtual IB targets and responsively emulating a subnet management agent (SMA) of the addressed virtual IB target. Another method comprises: (a) detecting IB channel adapters; (b) creating a virtual FC target for each IB channel adapter; and (c) converting any FC frames directed to the virtual FC targets into IB packets directed to the corresponding IB channel adapter. Fabric frames directed to the virtual FC targets may be intercepted and handled appropriately.

Abstract: A Fibre Channel router used to join fabrics. EX_ports are used to connect to the fabrics. The EX_port joins the fabric but the router will not merge into the fabric. Ports in the Fibre Channel router can be in a fabric, but other ports can be connected to other fabrics. Fibre Channel routers can be interconnected using a backbone fabric. Global, interfabric and encapsulation headers are developed to allow routing by conventional Fibre Channel switch devices in the backbone fabric and simplify Fibre Channel router routing. Phantom domains and devices must be developed for each of the fabrics being interconnected. Front phantom domains are present at each port directly connected to a fabric. Each of these is then connected to at least one translate phantom domain. Zoning is accomplished by use of a special LSAN zoning naming convention. This allows each administrator to independently define devices are accessible.

Abstract: A Fibre Channel router used to join fabrics. EX_ports are used to connect to the fabrics. The EX_port joins the fabric but the router will not merge into the fabric. Ports in the Fibre Channel router can be in a fabric, but other ports can be connected to other fabrics. Fibre Channel routers can be interconnected using a backbone fabric. Global, interfabric and encapsulation headers are developed to allow routing by conventional Fibre Channel switch devices in the backbone fabric and simplify Fibre Channel router routing. Phantom domains and devices must be developed for each of the fabrics being interconnected. Front phantom domains are present at each port directly connected to a fabric. Each of these is then connected to at least one translate phantom domain. Zoning is accomplished by use of a special LSAN zoning naming convention. This allows each administrator to independently define devices are accessible.

Abstract: A Fibre Channel router used to join fabrics. EX_ports are used to connect to the fabrics. The EX_port joins the fabric but the router will not merge into the fabric. Ports in the Fibre Channel router can be in a fabric, but other ports can be connected to other fabrics. Fibre Channel routers can be interconnected using a backbone fabric. Global, interfabric and encapsulation headers are developed to allow routing by conventional Fibre Channel switch devices in the backbone fabric and simplify Fibre Channel router routing. Phantom domains and devices must be developed for each of the fabrics being interconnected. Front phantom domains are present at each port directly connected to a fabric. Each of these is then connected to at least one translate phantom domain. Zoning is accomplished by use of a special LSAN zoning naming convention. This allows each administrator to independently define devices are accessible.

Abstract: A Fibre Channel router used to join fabrics. EX_ports are used to connect to the fabrics. The EX_port joins the fabric but the router will not merge into the fabric. Ports in the Fibre Channel router can be in a fabric, but other ports can be connected to other fabrics. Fibre Channel routers can be interconnected using a backbone fabric. Global, interfabric and encapsulation headers are developed to allow routing by conventional Fibre Channel switch devices in the backbone fabric and simplify Fibre Channel router routing. Phantom domains and devices must be developed for each of the fabrics being interconnected. Front phantom domains are present at each port directly connected to a fabric. Each of these is then connected to at least one translate phantom domain. Zoning is accomplished by use of a special LSAN zoning naming convention. This allows each administrator to independently define devices are accessible.

Abstract: A Fibre Channel router used to join fabrics. EX_ports are used to connect to the fabrics. The EX_port joins the fabric but the router will not merge into the fabric. Ports in the Fibre Channel router can be in a fabric, but other ports can be connected to other fabrics. Fibre Channel routers can be interconnected using a backbone fabric. Global, interfabric and encapsulation headers are developed to allow routing by conventional Fibre Channel switch devices in the backbone fabric and simplify Fibre Channel router routing. Phantom domains and devices must be developed for each of the fabrics being interconnected. Front phantom domains are present at each port directly connected to a fabric. Each of these is then connected to at least one translate phantom domain. Zoning is accomplished by use of a special LSAN zoning naming convention. This allows each administrator to independently define devices are accessible.

Abstract: An Inifiniband (IB) network that incorporates a Fibre Channel (FC) network is disclosed. The IB and FC networks are coupled by a gateway that maps the FC network to a virtual IB network. In generating the virtual IB network, the gateway may provide a virtual IB target for each node port in the FC network, and may further provide a minimum number of virtual IB switches necessary to support the virtual IB targets. The gateway assigns a globally unique identifier (GUID) to each of the virtual IB targets, and may further associate local identifiers (LID) with the virtual IB targets. The gateway preferably emulates subnet management agents (SMA) and general service agents (GSA) of the virtual IB targets when management IB packets are received, and the gateway preferably converts non-management IB packets directed to the virtual IB targets into FC frames directed to the corresponding target FC devices.

Abstract: A system and method for providing transparent communications between an Infiniband (IB) network and a Fibre Channel (FC) network are disclosed. One method comprises: (a) detecting FC node ports in the FC network; (b) creating virtual IB targets for each FC node port in the FC network; and (c) converting IB packets directed to the virtual IB targets into FC frames directed to the corresponding FC node port. It may further comprise intercepting management packets directed to the virtual IB targets and responsively emulating a subnet management agent (SMA) of the addressed virtual IB target. Another method comprises: (a) detecting IB channel adapters; (b) creating a virtual FC target for each IB channel adapter; and (c) converting any FC frames directed to the virtual FC targets into IB packets directed to the corresponding IB channel adapter. Fabric frames directed to the virtual FC targets may be intercepted and handled appropriately.