Abstract: Evidence gathering and analysis from networked machines can be automated and made policy-based. In one embodiment, the present invention includes, a networked machine receiving an instruction from a server to execute a pre-recorded action sequence designed to capture evidence data. The machine can annotate the captured evidence data with meta-data, and send the annotated evidence data to the server. The server can then perform analysis on the collected evidence data and present the evidence data and the analysis to an administrator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for altering a latency of network messages. A latency control system is configured to alter the latency of one or more network messages transmitted in a network. The latency of the network messages may simulate a latency associated with a network connection. A message queue is controlled by the latency control system to implement the latency, which can be increased or decreased. The latency may be increased and/or decreased dynamically.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a programmable device to execute instructions without interruption. An instruction space for storing instructions from a host application is bifurcated to define a program segment and a hold segment. At startup, instructions are loaded into the hold segment, and the programmable device begins executing those instructions. While the hold segment instructions are executed, the program segment is loaded with instructions. Once the program segment is filled, control is shifted to it and instructions from this segment are executed by the programmable device. When the program segment has been executed, control is shifted back to the hold segment, and instructions are taken from it while the program segment is reloaded with a fresh set of instructions from the host application. Once the program segment is reloaded, control is redirected and execution of instructions from the program segment is continued.

Abstract: The present invention provides for discovering diagnostic port functionality in a distributed system. A computer system requests network addresses for one or more chassis. A chassis receives the request for a network address and returns a corresponding network address at least for the chassis. The computer system receives one or more network addresses corresponding to the one or more chassis. The computer system requests resource data from each of the one or more corresponding network addresses. The chassis receives the request for resource data and returns resource data representing at least the current configuration of the chassis to the requesting computer system. The computer system receives resource data representing the configuration of the one or more chassis. The computer system presents the received resource data at the requesting computer system.

Abstract: Evidence gathering and analysis from networked machines can be automated and made policy-based. In one embodiment, the present invention includes, a networked machine receiving an instruction from a server to execute a pre-recorded action sequence designed to capture evidence data. The machine can annotate the captured evidence data with meta-data, and send the annotated evidence data to the server. The server can then perform analysis on the collected evidence data and present the evidence data and the analysis to an administrator.

Abstract: The present invention provides for flexibly configurable network diagnostic modules that can implement any of a plurality of network diagnostic functions. A network diagnostic module receives an indication that a selected network diagnostic function (e.g., network analyzer, jammer, generator, bit error rate tester, etc.) is to be implemented. The network diagnostic module receives a bit file with instructions or data for implementing the selected network diagnostic function at one or more ports. The network diagnostic module identifies a programmable logic module (e.g., a Field-Programmable Gate Array (“FPGA”)) that controls the one or ports. The network diagnostic module loads a portion of the bit file at the identified programmable logic module to cause the programmable logic module and the one or more ports to interoperate to implement the selected network diagnostic function. A plurality of network diagnostic modules can be included in a common computer system chassis.

Abstract: A programmable data filtering/searching system for use with a data network. The primary programmable hardware-based filtering and searching portions of the system are integrated onto the same printed circuit board as the data storage device to facilitate efficient filtering and searching of data from a data stream coming from a memory storage device after being captured. In addition, the actual hardware and software used to perform the filtering and searching routines is programmable such that various filter and search criteria can be entered and utilized. The data filtering/searching system also uses metadata in addition to the captured data to minimize the time required to perform certain processes on the data from the data stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adapter for enabling a host device having an electrical connector compatible with a first protocol that is not connectable with a connector assembly associated with a second protocol to be usable with the second protocol. The adapter includes a printed circuit board having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a first interface formed to removably connect with an electrical connector associated with a first protocol. The second end includes a second interface formed to removably connect with a connector assembly associated with the second protocol. A method of making the adapter includes configuring the first interface on the printed circuit board and integrating the second interface with the printed circuit board. One embodiment includes an adapter for enabling a host device with SFP electrical connectors to be usable with an SAS/SATA protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for altering a latency of network messages. A latency control system is configured to alter the latency of one or more network messages transmitted in a network. The latency of the network messages may simulate a latency associated with a network connection. A message queue is controlled by the latency control system to implement the latency, which can be increased or decreased. The latency may be increased and/or decreased dynamically.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adapter for enabling a host device having an electrical connector compatible with a first protocol that is not connectable with a connector assembly associated with a second protocol to be usable with the second protocol. The adapter includes a printed circuit board having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a first interface formed to removably connect with an electrical connector associated with a first protocol. The second end includes a second interface formed to removably connect with a connector assembly associated with the second protocol. A method of making the adapter includes configuring the first interface on the printed circuit board and integrating the second interface with the printed circuit board. One embodiment includes an adapter for enabling a host device with SFP electrical connectors to be usable with an SAS/SATA protocol.

Abstract: The present invention provides for managing resources of chassis that include configurable network diagnostic modules. A computer system receives a request to allocate a chassis resource to a requesting entity. The computer system sends an allocation request message to a chassis that includes the chassis resource. The chassis receives an allocation request message from the requesting computer system. The chassis determines if the requested chassis resource is currently being utilized. The chassis refers to allocation rules to determine if the requested chassis resource can be allocated to satisfy the resource allocation request. The chassis allocates one or more resources according to the allocation rules and returns an allocation response to the requesting computer system. The computer system receives the allocation response and presents the allocation response at the requesting computer system.

Abstract: The present invention provides for flexibly configurable network diagnostic modules that can implement any of a plurality of network diagnostic functions. A network diagnostic module receives an indication that a selected network diagnostic function (e.g., network analyzer, jammer, generator, bit error rate tester, etc.) is to be implemented. The network diagnostic module receives a bit file with instructions or data for implementing the selected network diagnostic function at one or more ports. The network diagnostic module identifies a programmable logic module (e.g., a Field-Programmable Gate Array (“FPGA”)) that controls the one or ports. The network diagnostic module loads a portion of the bit file at the identified programmable logic module to cause the programmable logic module and the one or more ports to interoperate to implement the selected network diagnostic function. A plurality of network diagnostic modules can be included in a common computer system chassis.

Abstract: The present invention provides for discovering diagnostic port functionality in a distributed system. A computer system requests network addresses for one or more chassis. A chassis receives the request for a network address and returns a corresponding network address at least for the chassis. The computer system receives one or more network addresses corresponding to the one or more chassis. The computer system requests resource data from each of the one or more corresponding network addresses. The chassis receives the request for resource data and returns resource data representing at least the current configuration of the chassis to the requesting computer system. The computer system receives resource data representing the configuration of the one or more chassis. The computer system presents the received resource data at the requesting computer system.