Abstract: Systems and methods to forward data frames are provided. A particular apparatus may include a plurality of server computers and a distributed virtual bridge. The distributed virtual bridge may include a plurality of bridge elements coupled to the plurality of server computers and configured to forward a data frame between the plurality of server computers. The plurality of bridge elements may further be configured to automatically learn address data associated with the data frame. A controlling bridge may be coupled to the plurality of bridge elements. The controlling bridge may include a global forwarding table that is automatically updated to include the address data and is accessible to the plurality of bridge elements.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for packet routing in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch includes multiple switch modules operatively connected to one another, and each switch module includes multiple bridge elements and a management controller. In one embodiment, a shared interface routing (SIR) framework is provided that includes an analysis and bifurcation layer, at least one packet interface, and an analysis assist layer. A packet is received over a first logical network and via a physical port, the packet being destined for at least a first application executing on the management controller. The analysis assist layer analyzes the packet to determine a reason code to assign to the packet. The analysis and bifurcation layer then analyzes the packet based at least in part on the reason code.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for packet routing in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch includes multiple switch modules operatively connected to one another, and each switch module includes multiple bridge elements and a management controller. In one embodiment, a shared interface routing (SIR) framework is provided that includes an analysis and bifurcation layer and at least one packet interface. A packet is received over a first logical network and via a physical port, the packet being destined for at least a first application executing on the management controller. The analysis and bifurcation layer analyzes the packet and sends the packet to the packet interface, which then routes the packet to the first application.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for multicast miss notification for a distributed network switch. In one embodiment, a bridge element in the distributed network switch receives a frame destined for a multicast group on a network. If a local multicast forwarding table of the bridge element does not include any forwarding entry for the multicast group, a forwarding entry is selected from the local multicast forwarding table as a candidate for being replaced. An indication of the candidate is sent to a management controller in the distributed network switch.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to request multicast membership information in a distributed switch are provided. A particular method may include requesting multicast membership information of a group identified by a multicast destination address in a distributed switch. The distributed switch may include a plurality of distributed switch elements with a plurality of switch forwarding units. The method may generate a miss event indicating that the multicast destination address is unregistered in a switch forwarding unit of a distributed switch element and there is a need for the multicast membership information. The method may also request the multicast membership information of the multicast destination address in response to the miss event. The method may further initiate a query for the multicast membership information of the multicast destination address in response to the request.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to manage a global forwarding table in a distributed switch are provided. A particular method may include managing a global forwarding table in a distributed switch. The distributed switch may include a plurality of switch forwarding units. The method may start a timer for an entry in the global forwarding table, and the entry may include a multicast destination address and corresponding multicast membership information. The method may also, in response to expiration of the timer of the entry, check at least one hit status to determine whether at least one switch forwarding unit of the plurality of switch forwarding units has forwarded multicast data to the corresponding multicast membership information of the multicast destination address of the entry. The method may further determine whether the entry is a cast-out candidate based on the hit status.

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: The different switch modules making up a distributed virtual switch may route configuration commands for hardware resources to different modules within the distributed switch using a distribution and routing layer. At least one of the switch modules maintains a routing table that defines which switch modules are responsible for which hardware resources. The switch module uses the routing tables to forward the commands on the distribution and routing layer to the responsible switch module which then ensures that the relevant hardware resources are configured.

Abstract: Configuring expansion component interconnect (‘ECI’) physical functions on an ECI device in a computing system, including: configuring by an ECI device configuration manager, during run-time of the computing system, vital product data to include an ECI physical function configuration, wherein the ECI physical function configuration comprises data describing a type of ECI physical function; retrieving by an ECI device configuration manager, upon a subsequent startup of the computing system, the ECI physical function configuration from the vital product data; and configuring, by an ECI device configuration manager, a physical function of the ECI device to carry out the type of ECI physical function described in the ECI physical function configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods to multicast data frames are provided. A particular apparatus includes a plurality of computing nodes and a distributed virtual bridge. The distributed virtual bridge includes a plurality of bridge elements coupled to the plurality of computing nodes. The plurality of bridge elements are configured to forward a copy of a multicast data frame to the plurality of computing nodes using group member information associated with addresses of the plurality of server computers. A controlling bridge coupled to the plurality of bridge elements is configured to communicate the group member information to the plurality of bridge elements.

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: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing service requests from a common database in a multiple dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server environment. A DHCP authorization cache is provided to implement synchronized access for the multiple DHCP servers to the common database. The DHCP authorization cache includes a plurality of elements, each element for storing a plurality of entries including a client identifier, an ISCSI DHCP router pointer, an ISCSI DHCP router pointer alternate, and a timestamp and the DHCP authorization cache includes an entry pointer initially set to zero.

Abstract: Systems and methods to multicast data frames are provided. A particular apparatus includes a plurality of computing nodes and a distributed virtual bridge. The distributed virtual bridge includes a plurality of bridge elements coupled to the plurality of computing nodes. The plurality of bridge elements are configured to forward a copy of a multicast data frame to the plurality of computing nodes using group member information associated with addresses of the plurality of server computers. A controlling bridge coupled to the plurality of bridge elements is configured to communicate the group member information to the plurality of bridge elements.

Abstract: A network node that forwards traffic of a converged network received from a source end node receives a second message addressed to the network node, but intended for the source end node. The second message includes at least a portion of a first message originated by the source end node and previously forwarded by the network node. The network node extracts from the first message a source identifier of the source end node in a first communication protocol and determines by reference to a data structure a destination address of the second message in a second communication protocol. The network node modifies the second message to include the destination address and forwards the second message toward the source end node in accordance with the destination address.

Abstract: A network node that forwards traffic of a converged network received from a source end node receives a second message addressed to the network node, but intended for the source end node. The second message includes at least a portion of a first message originated by the source end node and previously forwarded by the network node. The network node extracts from the first message a source identifier of the source end node in a first communication protocol and determines by reference to a data structure a destination address of the second message in a second communication protocol. The network node modifies the second message to include the destination address and forwards the second message toward the source end node in accordance with the destination address.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for distributing configuration parameters. The present invention includes one or more storage devices configured to store data, a first DHCP server configured to process DHCP messages and redirect communications regarding configuration parameters for the storage devices to a second DHCP server, and a configuration datastore configured to store configuration parameters for the storage devices. The second DHCP server may be configured to process DHCP messages and retrieve configuration parameters for the storage devices from the configuration datastore. In certain embodiments, each storage initiator communicates with the DHCP servers, receives the configuration parameters such as iSCSI parameters, and provides the configuration parameters to one or more storage devices.

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 forward data frames are described. A particular method may include evaluating header data of a data frame at a bridge element, where the header data includes address data that corresponds to a Fiber Channel Forwarder in communication with the bridge element. Based upon the evaluation, the header data of the data frame may be modified at the bridge element in such a manner that the data frame is not routed through the Fiber Channel Forwarder.

Abstract: Systems and methods to multicast data frames are provided. A particular apparatus includes a plurality of computing nodes and a distributed virtual bridge. The distributed virtual bridge includes a plurality of bridge elements coupled to the plurality of computing nodes. The plurality of bridge elements are configured to forward a copy of a multicast data frame to the plurality of computing nodes using group member information associated with addresses of the plurality of server computers. A controlling bridge coupled to the plurality of bridge elements is configured to communicate the group member information to the plurality of bridge elements.