Abstract: A data handling system network includes a data handling system that is communicatively coupled to a switch by a network. The data handling system includes one or more logical partitions. Each logical partition includes a plurality of virtual switches and a plurality of virtual network interface cards. Each virtual network interface card is associated with a particular virtual switch and includes a plurality of QoS queues. The switch includes one or more switch partitions. Each switch partition includes a plurality of QoS queues that are associated with the QoS queues of the virtual network interface card. A packet is received with the virtual switch and the virtual switch sets and associates a QoS priority flag with the received packet. The virtual switch forwards the packet to a QoS queue comprised within the virtual network interface card based upon the QoS priority flag.

Abstract: A network fabric may divide a physical connection into a plurality of VLANs as defined by IEEE 802.1Q. Moreover, many network fabrics use Priority Flow Control to identify and segregate network traffic based on different traffic classes or priorities. Current routing protocols define only eight traffic classes. In contrast, a network fabric may contain thousands of unique VLANs. When network congestion occurs, network devices (e.g., switches, bridges, routers, servers, etc.) can negotiate to pause the network traffic associated with one of the different traffic classes. Pausing the data packets associated with a single traffic class may also stop the data packets associated with thousands of VLANs. The embodiments disclosed herein permit a network fabric to individually pause VLANs rather than entire traffic classes.

Abstract: A network fabric may divide a physical connection into a plurality of VLANs as defined by IEEE 802.1Q. Moreover, many network fabrics use Priority Flow Control to identify and segregate network traffic based on different traffic classes or priorities. Current routing protocols define only eight traffic classes. In contrast, a network fabric may contain thousands of unique VLANs. When network congestion occurs, network devices (e.g., switches, bridges, routers, servers, etc.) can negotiate to pause the network traffic associated with one of the different traffic classes. Pausing the data packets associated with a single traffic class may also stop the data packets associated with thousands of VLANs. The embodiments disclosed herein permit a network fabric to individually pause VLANs rather than entire traffic classes.

Abstract: A data handling system network includes a data handling system that is communicatively coupled to a switch by a network. The data handling system includes one or more logical partitions. Each logical partition includes a plurality of virtual switches and a plurality of virtual network interface cards. Each virtual network interface card is associated with a particular virtual switch and includes a plurality of QoS queues. The switch includes one or more switch partitions. Each switch partition includes a plurality of QoS queues that are associated with the QoS queues of the virtual network interface card. A packet is received with the virtual switch and the virtual switch sets and associates a QoS priority flag with the received packet. The virtual switch forwards the packet to a QoS queue comprised within the virtual network interface card based upon the QoS priority flag.

Abstract: Systems and methods to forward data frames are provided. A particular method may include receiving a data frame at a distributed virtual bridge. The distributed virtual bridge includes a first bridge element coupled to a first server computer and a second bridge element coupled to the first bridge element and to a second server computer. The distributed virtual bridge further includes a controlling bridge coupled to the first bridge element and to the second bridge element. The controlling bridge includes a global forwarding table. The data frame is forwarded from the first bridge element to the second bridge element of the distributed virtual bridge using address data associated with the data frame. A logical network associated with the frame may additionally be used to forward the data frame.

Abstract: Frame wrapping such as Q-in-Q frame wrapping is used to enforce QoS prioritization with a converged or multi-function self-virtualizing IO resource such as a converged SRIOV network adapter. Frame wrapping may be used to avoid conflicting priorities from frames associated with virtual functions for which ACLs are not enforced, and thereby preserve QoS prioritization for lossless traffic classes.

Abstract: Systems and methods to forward data frames are described. A particular method may include receiving a data frame at a switch of a plurality of networked switches coupled to a plurality of server computers. The data frame may be forwarded from a controlling bridge coupled to the plurality of networked switches. The data frame may be determined to include management data, and an operating parameter of the switch may be modified.

Abstract: A network fabric may divide a physical connection into a plurality of VLANs as defined by IEEE 802.1Q. Moreover, many network fabrics use Priority Flow Control to identify and segregate network traffic based on different traffic classes or priorities. Current routing protocols define only eight traffic classes. In contrast, a network fabric may contain thousands of unique VLANs. When network congestion occurs, network devices (e.g., switches, bridges, routers, servers, etc.) can negotiate to pause the network traffic associated with one of the different traffic classes. Pausing the data packets associated with a single traffic class may also stop the data packets associated with thousands of VLANs. The embodiments disclosed herein permit a network fabric to individually pause VLANs rather than entire traffic classes.

Abstract: Systems and methods to forward data frames are provided. A particular method may include evaluating address data of a first data frame at a first virtual bridge coupled to a first virtual machine of a first server computer of a plurality of server computers. Based upon the evaluation at the first virtual bridge, the first data frame may be forwarded to a second virtual bridge associated with an adapter that is coupled to the first virtual machine. The address data of the first data frame may be evaluated at the second virtual bridge. Based upon the evaluation, the data frame may be forwarded to a third virtual bridge configured to forward the data frame based upon the address data to a second server computer of the plurality of server computers.

Abstract: Systems and methods to forward data frames are described. A particular method may include generating a plurality of management frames at a controlling bridge. The management frames may include routing information. The plurality of management frames may be communicated to a plurality of bridge elements coupled to a plurality of server computers. The plurality of bridge elements are each configured to selectively forward a plurality of data frames according to the routing information.

Abstract: Systems and methods to remotely configure adapters are described. A particular method may include generating a management frame at a controlling bridge. The management frame may include instructions to configure an operating parameter of the adapter. The management frame may be communicated to a bridge element of a plurality of interconnected bridge elements in communication with the controlling bridge. The bridge element may be coupled to the adapter, and the operating parameter of the adapter may be configured.

Abstract: Frame wrapping such as Q-in-Q frame wrapping is used to enforce QoS prioritization with a converged or multi-function self-virtualizing IO resource such as a converged SRIOV network adapter. Frame wrapping may be used to avoid conflicting priorities from frames associated with virtual functions for which ACLs are not enforced, and thereby preserve QoS prioritization for lossless traffic classes.

Abstract: Systems and methods to forward data frames are described. A particular method may include generating a plurality of management frames at a controlling bridge. The management frames may include routing information. The plurality of management frames may be communicated to a plurality of bridge elements coupled to a plurality of server computers. The plurality of bridge elements are each configured to selectively forward a plurality of data frames according to the routing information.

Abstract: Systems and methods to remotely configure adapters are described. A particular method may include generating a management frame at a controlling bridge. The management frame may include instructions to configure an operating parameter of the adapter. The management frame may be communicated to a bridge element of a plurality of interconnected bridge elements in communication with the controlling bridge. The bridge element may be coupled to the adapter, and the operating parameter of the adapter may be configured.

Abstract: Systems and methods to forward data frames are described. A particular method may include receiving a data frame at a switch of a plurality of networked switches coupled to a plurality of server computers. The data frame may be forwarded from a controlling bridge coupled to the plurality of networked switches. The data frame may be determined to include management data, and an operating parameter of the switch may be modified.

Abstract: Systems and methods to forward data frames are provided. A particular method may include receiving a data frame at a distributed virtual bridge. The distributed virtual bridge includes a first bridge element coupled to a first server computer and a second bridge element coupled to the first bridge element and to a second server computer. The distributed virtual bridge further includes a controlling bridge coupled to the first bridge element and to the second bridge element. The controlling bridge includes a global forwarding table. The data frame is forwarded from the first bridge element to the second bridge element of the distributed virtual bridge using address data associated with the data frame. A logical network associated with the frame may additionally be used to forward the data frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods to forward data frames are provided. A particular method may include evaluating address data of a first data frame at a first virtual bridge coupled to a first virtual machine of a first server computer of a plurality of server computers. Based upon the evaluation at the first virtual bridge, the first data frame may be forwarded to a second virtual bridge associated with an adapter that is coupled to the first virtual machine. The address data of the first data frame may be evaluated at the second virtual bridge. Based upon the evaluation, the data frame may be forwarded to a third virtual bridge configured to forward the data frame based upon the address data to a second server computer of the plurality of server computers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transmitting a stream of multimedia digital data over a distribution communications network. A multimedia stream server segments the multimedia digital data stream into data blocks on a first boundary and a second boundary. The first boundary is a set number of transport system data packets and the second boundary is a transport system data packet including a timestamp. A scheduler schedules the segmented data blocks for transmission. The multimedia stream server decodes the segmented data blocks to locate the timestamps and matches the transmission of the located timestamp data block with a time value indicated by the timestamp. The set number of transport system data packets can be determined at connection setup and is not a predetermined value for all sessions. At the receiver, batch processing of received multimedia data can be provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transmitting a stream of multimedia digital data over a distribution communications network. A multimedia stream server segments the multimedia digital data stream into data blocks on a first boundary and a second boundary. The first boundary is a set number of transport system data packets and the second boundary is a transport system data packet including a timestamp. A scheduler schedules the segmented data blocks for transmission. The multimedia stream server decodes the segmented data blocks to locate the timestamps and matches the transmission of the located timestamp data block with a time value indicated by the timestamp. The set number of transport system data packets can be determined at connection setup and is not a predetermined value for all sessions. At the receiver, batch processing of received multimedia data can be provided.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus allows multiple users to share one or more data communication lines without requiring the users to actively participate in the arbitration. The preferred embodiment comprises an ISDN Port Connection Manager (PCM) for managing the use of each of the individual channels of one or more line ports having ISDN service thereon. The ISDN PCM manages the use of the channels between applications using such distinct access methods as IBM's Virtual Telecommunications Access Method (VTAM), TCP/IP, and Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) access methods. The ISDN PCM determines that an application needs access to an ISDN channel, determines the availability of the ISDN network and sets up the communication between the application and the network if the channel is available. If no channel is available at that time, the ISDN PCM indicates to the application when the channel becomes available so that the application may determine whether it still needs access.