Abstract: A small form factor pluggable (SFP) device includes a controller for receiving a first input signal. An optical loopback circuit is coupled to the controller for feeding back a loopback signal to the controller. The loopback signal is generated from the first input signal. An indicator is coupled to the controller for indicating a operational status of the device.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for credit depletion notification for transmitting frames between a port pair. Credits indicate a number of outstanding frames a first device may transmit to a second device. The credits are decremented in response to transmitting a frame to the second device. The credits are incremented in response to receiving a ready code from the second device indicating that the second device processed the transmitted frame. A determination is made as to whether additional credits are needed for communicating frames from the first device to the second device. A credit depletion notification is sent to the second device in response to determining that the additional credits are needed for communication with the second device.

Abstract: Described are embodiments of an invention for blocking write access to memory modules of a solid state drive. The solid state drive includes a controller access module or a memory access module that controls write access to the solid state drive and the memory modules of the solid state drive. Upon determining that a memory module has failed, the failed memory module or the entire solid state memory device is configured to be read only to prevent an errant write of data over critical data. Further, a failed memory module, or solid state device memory having a failed memory module, may be replaced upon failure.

Abstract: A first special character encoded in a first protocol is transmitted across a first communications link. The transmitted first special character is received at a first interface between the first communications link and a second communications link. The first special character is converted to a second special character encoded in a second protocol, wherein the first special character is also defined for encoding in the second protocol. The second special character is transmitted across the second communications link. The second special character is received at a second interface between the second communications link and a third communications link. The second special character is converted back to the first special character. The first special character is transmitted across the third communications link.

Abstract: In remote power down control of a device configured for externally initiated remote power down, such as over a network, activity of all externally connected sources of valid power down requests for the device is monitored; and the device is powered down in response to a combination of one of a received power down request and an inactivity time out with respect to each of the sources of valid power down requests for the device.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting antigens on biosample tracks comprising a processor, an electromagnetic write head for magnetizing nanoparticles attached to the antigens via antibodies in response to a write signal from the processor, and a first amplifier for supplying power to the write head. The circuit further comprises a magneto-resistive read sensor for detecting the magnetized nanoparticles upon receiving a read signal from the processor, and a second amplifier for supplying power to the read sensor. The write head and read sensor may be part of a head module in a magnetic tape drive. Nanoparticles of differing magnetic properties may be selectively paired with antibodies associated with different antigens to allow different antigens to be detected upon a single scan by the read-sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus, method, and computer program product embodiments for analyzing and configuring a fibre channel link and topology using a portable device are provided. A network microchip is programmed to select at least one of an available plurality of operating modes based on a first user input. The plurality of operating modes include a manual speed selection mode for manually selecting a link speed based on a second user input, an auto speed selection mode for automatically negotiating a highest supported link speed, an auto topology negotiation mode for discovering and reporting all possible port configurations, and a manual topology selection mode for selecting a fibre channel topology based on a third user input.

Abstract: A method to set a communication speed in a Serial-Attached Small Computer System Interface (“SAS”)/Serial-ATA (“SATA”) distance extender apparatus comprising a plurality of supported communication speeds and a local communication speed, a fibre channel interface, a memory, a processor, and a communication bus interconnecting the SAS/SATA Interface, the Fibre Channel interface, the memory, and the processor. The method detects traffic received by the Fibre Channel interface, and determines if the traffic comprises a SAS/SATA Open Address frame. If the traffic comprises a SAS/SATA Open Address frame, the method then determines if the local communication speed matches a communication speed utilized by an interconnected remote SAS/SATA Interface. If the local communication speed matches a communication speed utilized by an interconnected remote SAS/SATA Interface, the method transmits the traffic using the local SAS/SATA Interface.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for a go/no go tester that uses various data patterns to assure that equipments, systems and networks using data links, receivers and transmitters are working within the range of predetermined requirements of standards, specifications and protocols. The apparatus, system and methods can be used in at least one of SAS/SATA and Fibre Channel systems based on integrated circuit devices used within the apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for managing communication between a first device and a second device and performing a recovery action at the second device in response to a credit depletion notification from the first device. The second device assigns credits indicating a number of outstanding frames the first device may transmit to the second device. The second device receives a first type or second type of credit depletion notification from the first device indicating that the first device needs additional credits to transmit further frames to the second device. The second device performs one of a plurality of recovery actions depending on whether the first type or second type of credit depletion notification was received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that is configured to issue an echo extended link service with a payload of data patterns that are known in the art of fiber channel to produce jitter. The inventive apparatus is configured to use an echo extended link service to send data with a specified data pattern. Failing data patterns are compared against data patterns that are known in the art of fiber channel to create jitter and the results may be presented to the user.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for visually indicating the remaining life of a small form factor pluggable (SFP) optical transceiver module. The total number of optical light pulse signals processed by an SFP are compared to a predetermined lifecycle number of signals that can be processed before the SFP enters a failed operating state. The remaining life of the SFP is calculated. A first display visually indicates that the total number of processed signals has not exceeded the lifecycle number of signals. A second display located on the SFP enclosure visually indicates the SFP has reached the end of its lifecycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that is configured to issue an echo extended link service with a payload of data patterns that are known in the art of fibre channel to produce jitter. The inventive apparatus is configured to use an echo extended link service to send data with a specified data pattern. Failing data patterns are compared against data patterns that are known in the art of fibre channel to create jitter and the results may be presented to the user.

Abstract: Apparatus, method, and computer program product embodiments for analyzing and configuring a fibre channel link and topology using a portable device are provided. A network microchip is programmed to select at least one of an available plurality of operating modes based on a first user input. The plurality of operating modes include a manual speed selection mode for manually selecting a link speed based on a second user input, an auto speed selection mode for automatically negotiating a highest supported link speed, an auto topology negotiation mode for discovering and reporting all possible port configurations, and a manual topology selection mode for selecting a fibre channel topology based on a third user input.

Abstract: A method to set a communication speed in a Serial-Attached Small Computer System Interface (“SAS”)/Serial-ATA (“SATA”) distance extender apparatus comprising a plurality of supported communication speeds and a local communication speed, a fibre channel interface, a memory, a processor, and a communication bus interconnecting the SAS/SATA Interface, the Fibre Channel interface, the memory, and the processor. The method detects traffic received by the Fibre Channel interface, and determines if the traffic comprises a SAS/SATA Open Address frame If the traffic comprises a SAS/SATA Open Address frame, the method then determines if the local communication speed matches a communication speed utilized by an interconnected remote SAS/SATA Interface. If the local communication speed matches a communication speed utilized by an interconnected remote SAS/SATA Interface, the method transmits the traffic using the local SAS/SATA Interface.

Abstract: Network traffic encoded in a first protocol is transmitted across a first communications link, wherein the first protocol allows a first plurality of simultaneous logical connections. The transmitted network traffic is received at a first interface between the first communications link and a second communications link. The received network traffic is encapsulated within frames at the first interface, wherein the frames are generated in accordance with a second protocol, and wherein the second protocol does not allow any plurality of simultaneous logical connections that are allowed by the first protocol. The frames are transmitted from the first interface to a second interface across the second communications link. The frames are received and then unencapsulated network traffic is generated from the frames at the second interface, wherein the second interface is between the second communications link and a third communications link.

Abstract: A first special character encoded in a first protocol is transmitted across a first communications link. The transmitted first special character is received at a first interface between the first communications link and a second communications link. The first special character is converted to a second special character encoded in a second protocol, wherein the first special character is also defined for encoding in the second protocol. The second special character is transmitted across the second communications link. The second special character is received at a second interface between the second communications link and a third communications link. The second special character is converted back to the first special character. The first special character is transmitted across the third communications link.

Abstract: A small form factor pluggable (SFP) device includes a controller for receiving a first input signal. An optical loopback circuit is coupled to the controller for feeding back a loopback signal to the controller. The loopback signal is generated from the first input signal. An indicator is coupled to the controller for indicating a operational status of the device.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for managing communication between a first device and a second device and performing a recovery action at the second device in response to a credit depletion notification from the first device. The second device assigns credits indicating a number of outstanding frames the first device may transmit to the second device. The second device receives a first type or second type of credit depletion notification from the first device indicating that the first device needs additional credits to transmit further frames to the second device. The second device performs one of a plurality of recovery actions depending on whether the first type or second type of credit depletion notification was received.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for credit depletion notification for transmitting frames between a port pair. Credits indicate a number of outstanding frames a first device may transmit to a second device. The credits are decremented in response to transmitting a frame to the second device. The credits are incremented in response to receiving a ready code from the second device indicating that the second device processed the transmitted frame. A determination is made as to whether additional credits are needed for communicating frames from the first device to the second device. A credit depletion notification is sent to the second device in response to determining that the additional credits are needed for communication with the second device.