Abstract: Routing a data packet of an information unit sequence includes receiving at a switch a data packet of an information unit sequence of a block storage exchange from a storage client, where the sequence is associated with a source identifier and a target identifier identifying a target. A storage resource identifier corresponding to the target identifier is determined according to a forwarding table. A sequence identifier is associated with the source identifier, where the sequence identifier corresponds to the target. The source identifier and the sequence identifier are recorded at a context table, and the data packet is routed according to the storage resource identifier.

Abstract: Switching data packets includes forwarding first data packets to a first port that is associated with a first domain. Second data packets are forwarded to a second port that is associated with a second domain. The first data packets are managed using a first management subsystem of a service processor card, and the second data packets are managed using a second management subsystem of the service processor card.

Abstract: Routing a data packet includes receiving at a switch a data packet from a storage client. The data packet is associated with a destination identifier identifying a virtual target, where the virtual target is accessible by the storage client. A storage resource identifier corresponding to the destination identifier is determined according to a forwarding table at the switch. The data packet is routed according to the storage resource identifier.

Abstract: A method, system or switch device, the switch device having both switch and test capabilities. A method includes running in a test or switch mode or both; and, performing the testing operation or the switching operations, or both. Another method includes setting up the test functionality in the switch device, the test functionality including one or both of transmitting test data and receiving test data. Other steps may include initiating the transmission of test data; and checking the test data. A switch device may include an ASIC disposed within the switch device, the ASIC including one or both of an egress test block and an ingress test block; whereby the egress test block and the ingress test block are respectively adapted to transmit and receive a test packet; whereby the ASIC and one or both of the egress and ingress test blocks provide for alternatively operating in the conventional switch mode and in test mode.

Abstract: This invention provides a defect management scheme for mass storage devices such as disk drives. The data tracks formed on the surface of the storage media are divided into a plurality of zones. Each zone is divided into a number of logical partitions, with each partition containing a fixed number of sectors. Each partition also includes at least one local spare sector at the end of the partition. Each zone, which may consist of one or more partitions, includes a number of overflow spare sectors at the end of the zone. If there is a defective sector in a partition, the local spare sector is used to replace the defective sector. If there are more defective sectors in a partition than there are local spare sectors, an overflow spare sector is used to replace the additional defective sectors.