Patents by Inventor Luca Cafiero
Luca Cafiero has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20120230700Abstract: A small form-factor pluggable (SFP) module includes a board with an end portion to be inserted into a connector device. A first set of signal pads is arranged along an edge of a first surface of the SFP board at the end portion and a second set of signal pads along an edge of a second surface of the SFP board at the end portion. A third set of signal pads is disposed on the second surface at the end portion, offset from the edge of the second surface. A transceiver, coupled to the signal pads of the first, second, and third sets of signal pads, is configured to transmit and receive signals via the third set of signal pads and to transmit and receive signals via at least one of the first and second sets of signal pads.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2011Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Luca Cafiero, Zhiping Yang, Victor Odisho, Francisco Matus
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Publication number: 20120195310Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for implementing a Low Latency Ethernet (“LLE”) solution, also referred to herein as a Data Center Ethernet (“DCE”) solution, which simplifies the connectivity of data centers and provides a high bandwidth, low latency network for carrying Ethernet and storage traffic. Some aspects of the invention involve transforming FC frames into a format suitable for transport on an Ethernet. Some preferred implementations of the invention implement multiple virtual lanes (“VLs”) in a single physical connection of a data center or similar network. Some VLs are “drop” VLs, with Ethernet-like behavior, and others are “no-drop” lanes with FC-like behavior. Some preferred implementations of the invention provide guaranteed bandwidth based on credits and VL. Active buffer management allows for both high reliability and low latency while using small frame buffers. Preferably, the rules for active buffer management are different for drop and no drop VLs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Luca Cafiero, Silvano Gai
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Patent number: 8160094Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for implementing a Low Latency Ethernet (“LLE”) solution, also referred to herein as a Data Center Ethernet (“DCE”) solution, which simplifies the connectivity of data centers and provides a high bandwidth, low latency network for carrying Ethernet and storage traffic. Some aspects of the invention involve transforming FC frames into a format suitable for transport on an Ethernet. Some preferred implementations of the invention implement multiple virtual lanes (“VLs”) in a single physical connection of a data center or similar network. Some VLs are “drop” VLs, with Ethernet-like behavior, and others are “no-drop” lanes with FC-like behavior. Some preferred implementations of the invention provide guaranteed bandwidth based on credits and VL. Active buffer management allows for both high reliability and low latency while using small frame buffers. Preferably, the rules for active buffer management are different for drop and no drop VLs.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Luca Cafiero, Silvano Gai
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Patent number: 8042006Abstract: Redundancy of data and/or Inline Power in a wired data telecommunications network from a pair of power sourcing equipment (PSE) devices via an automatic selection device is provided by providing redundant signaling to/from each of the pair of PSE devices, and coupling a port of one PSE device and a redundant port of the second PSE device to respective first and second interfaces of a port of the selection device. The selection device initially selects one of the two PSE devices and communicates data and/or Inline Power to a third interface of the selection device. A powered device (PD) coupled to that third interface communicates data and/or Inline Power with the selected one of the first and second PSE device through the selection device. Upon detection of a condition, such as a failure condition, the selection device may select the other of the two interfaces.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2010Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Roger A. Karam, Luca Cafiero
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Publication number: 20110222402Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for implementing a Low Latency Ethernet (“LLE”) solution, also referred to herein as a Data Center Ethernet (“DCE”) solution, which simplifies the connectivity of data centers and provides a high bandwidth, low latency network for carrying Ethernet and storage traffic. Some aspects of the invention involve transforming FC frames into a format suitable for transport on an Ethernet. Some preferred implementations of the invention implement multiple virtual lanes (“VLs”) in a single physical connection of a data center or similar network. Some VLs are “drop” VLs, with Ethernet-like behavior, and others are “no-drop” lanes with FC-like behavior. Some preferred implementations of the invention provide guaranteed bandwidth based on credits and VL. Active buffer management allows for both high reliability and low latency while using small frame buffers. Preferably, the rules for active buffer management are different for drop and no drop VLs.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Silvano Gai, Thomas Edsall, Luca Cafiero, Davide Bergamasco, Dinesh Dutt, Flavio Bonomi
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Patent number: 7969971Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for implementing a Low Latency Ethernet (“LLE”) solution, also referred to herein as a Data Center Ethernet (“DCE”) solution, which simplifies the connectivity of data centers and provides a high bandwidth, low latency network for carrying Ethernet and storage traffic. Some aspects of the invention involve transforming FC frames into a format suitable for transport on an Ethernet. Some preferred implementations of the invention implement multiple virtual lanes (“VLs”) in a single physical connection of a data center or similar network. Some VLs are “drop” VLs, with Ethernet-like behavior, and others are “no-drop” lanes with FC-like behavior. Some preferred implementations of the invention provide guaranteed bandwidth based on credits and VL. Active buffer management allows for both high reliability and low latency while using small frame buffers. Preferably, the rules for active buffer management are different for drop and no drop VLs.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Silvano Gai, Thomas Edsall, Luca Cafiero, Davide Bergamasco, Dinesh Dutt, Flavio Bonomi
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Publication number: 20110047407Abstract: Redundancy of data and/or Inline Power in a wired data telecommunications network from a first network device and a second network device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE) devices and coupled together and to a third network device (such as a PD) via a Y device is provided by providing redundant signaling to/from each of the pair of network devices, and coupling a port of each of the network devices to the Y device and from there to a third port where a third network device such as a PD may be coupled. Because the Y device is essentially passive, communications paths between the PSE devices and the PD are provided for negotiating master/slave status and other status and related information among the respective network devices. Dynamic impedance matching is provided to handle situations where not all devices are plugged in and as a communications technique among the devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Roger A. Karam, Luca Cafiero
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Publication number: 20110041001Abstract: Redundancy of data and/or Inline Power in a wired data telecommunications network from a pair of power sourcing equipment (PSE) devices via an automatic selection device is provided by providing redundant signaling to/from each of the pair of PSE devices, and coupling a port of one PSE device and a redundant port of the second PSE device to respective first and second interfaces of a port of the selection device. The selection device initially selects one of the two PSE devices and communicates data and/or Inline Power to a third interface of the selection device. A powered device (PD) coupled to that third interface communicates data and/or Inline Power with the selected one of the first and second PSE device through the selection device. Upon detection of a condition, such as a failure condition, the selection device may select the other of the two interfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Roger A. Karam, Luca Cafiero
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Publication number: 20110004779Abstract: Redundancy of data and/or inline power in a wired data telecommunications network from a pair of network devices via a selection device is provided by communicating redundant signals with each of the pair of network devices and coupling ports of the first network device and corresponding ports of the second network device to paired inputs of the selection device. The selection device operates: 1) under the control of the pair of network devices, one acting as master and one as slave, the master selecting (for each port or for all ports) one of the two paired inputs and causing the selection device to communicate data and/or inline power via a third port of the selection device to a third network device receiving data connectivity and/or inline power from the selection device; or 2) to route two redundant signals to a third network device which then selects one for use.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Roger A. Karam, Luca Cafiero
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Patent number: 7849351Abstract: Redundancy of data and/or Inline Power in a wired data telecommunications network from a first network device and a second network device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE) devices and coupled together and to a third network device (such as a PD) via a Y device is provided by providing redundant signaling to/from each of the pair of network devices, and coupling a port of each of the network devices to the Y device and from there to a third port where a third network device such as a PD may be coupled. Because the Y device is essentially passive, communications paths between the PSE devices and the PD are provided for negotiating master/slave status and other status and related information among the respective network devices. Dynamic impedance matching is provided to handle situations where not all devices are plugged in and as a communications technique among the devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Roger A. Karam, Luca Cafiero
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Patent number: 7821379Abstract: A network node determines the suitability of coupled devices for being remotely line powered before actually powering them. The node scan its ports to determine which ports are coupled to devices. The node then interrogates the coupled devices. A unique discovery tone or bit pattern is generated and sent to devices coupled to ports. The node then monitors the port for a return signal. If there is a return signal, it is compared to the transmitted discovery signal. The signal will be identical after allowing for line losses if the coupled device is suitable for remote line powering. If the comparison yields a match, the network node supplies remote line power to the device.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Luca Cafiero, Maurilio De Nicolo, Thomas Edsall, Karl Nakamura, Soei-Shin Hang
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Patent number: 7823026Abstract: Redundancy of data and/or Inline Power in a wired data telecommunications network from a pair of power sourcing equipment (PSE) devices via an automatic selection device is provided by providing redundant signaling to/from each of the pair of PSE devices, and coupling a port of one PSE device and a redundant port of the second PSE device to respective first and second interfaces of a port of the selection device. The selection device initially selects one of the two PSE devices and communicates data and/or Inline Power to a third interface of the selection device. A powered device (PD) coupled to that third interface communicates data and/or Inline Power with the selected one of the first and second PSE device through the selection device. Upon detection of a condition, such as a failure condition, the selection device may select the other of the two interfaces.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Roger A. Karam, Luca Cafiero
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Patent number: 7793137Abstract: Redundancy of data and/or inline power in a wired data telecommunications network from a pair of network devices via a selection device is provided by communicating redundant signals with each of the pair of network devices and coupling ports of the first network device and corresponding ports of the second network device to paired inputs of the selection device. The selection device operates: 1) under the control of the pair of network devices, one acting as master and one as slave, the master selecting (for each port or for all ports) one of the two paired inputs and causing the selection device to communicate data and/or inline power via a third port of the selection device to a third network device receiving data connectivity and/or inline power from the selection device; or 2) to route two redundant signals to a third network device which then selects one for use.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Roger A. Karam, Luca Cafiero
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Publication number: 20090252038Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for implementing a Low Latency Ethernet (“LLE”) solution, also referred to herein as a Data Center Ethernet (“DCE”) solution, which simplifies the connectivity of data centers and provides a high bandwidth, low latency network for carrying Ethernet and storage traffic. Some aspects of the invention involve transforming FC frames into a format suitable for transport on an Ethernet. Some preferred implementations of the invention implement multiple virtual lanes (“VLs”) in a single physical connection of a data center or similar network. Some VLs are “drop” VLs, with Ethernet-like behavior, and others are “no-drop” lanes with FC-like behavior. Some preferred implementations of the invention provide guaranteed bandwidth based on credits and VL. Active buffer management allows for both high reliability and low latency while using small frame buffers. Preferably, the rules for active buffer management are different for drop and no drop VLs.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Luca Cafiero, Silvano Gai
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Patent number: 7564869Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for implementing a Low Latency Ethernet (“LLE”) solution, also referred to herein as a Data Center Ethernet (“DCE”) solution, which simplifies the connectivity of data centers and provides a high bandwidth, low latency network for carrying Ethernet and storage traffic. Some aspects of the invention involve transforming FC frames into a format suitable for transport on an Ethernet. Some preferred implementations of the invention implement multiple virtual lanes (“VLs”) in a single physical connection of a data center or similar network. Some VLs are “drop” VLs, with Ethernet-like behavior, and others are “no-drop” lanes with FC-like behavior. Some preferred implementations of the invention provide guaranteed bandwidth based on credits and VL. Active buffer management allows for both high reliability and low latency while using small frame buffers. Preferably, the rules for active buffer management are different for drop and no drop VLs.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2005Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Luca Cafiero, Silvano Gai
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Publication number: 20090177853Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, an example system and methods for memory expansion. An example embodiment includes detecting a memory command directed to a logical rand and a number of physical ranks mapped to the logical rank. The example embodiment may also include issuing the memory command to the number of physical ranks based on determining that the memory command is to be issued to the number of physical ranks.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: Mario Mazzola, Satyanarayana Nishtala, Luca Cafiero, Philip Manela
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Publication number: 20090177861Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, an example system and methods for memory expansion. An example embodiment includes receiving first initialization data from a physical dual inline memory module (DIMM) and converting the first initialization data to second initialization data of a logical DIMM mapped to the physical DIMM. The example embodiment may further include programming a memory controller based on the second initialization data.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: Mario Mazzola, Satyanarayana Nishtala, Luca Cafiero, Dmitry Barsky
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Publication number: 20090177849Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, an example system and methods for memory expansion. An example embodiment includes receiving a memory request from a memory controller over a channel. Based on the memory request, the example embodiment includes selecting a location in memory to couple to a sub-channel of the channel and configuring the set of field effect transistors to couple the channel with the sub-channel. In the example embodiment, data may be allowed to flow between the memory controller and the location in the memory over the channel and the sub-channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: Mario Mazzola, Satyanarayana Nishtala, Luca Cafiero, Philip Manela
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Patent number: 7519062Abstract: In one embodiment, a first packet is forwarded based on a network layer routing decision rendered by a router. A shortcut entry is generated based on a first header of the first packet. The shortcut entry is stored. In response to the shortcut entry, and absent a network layer routing decision rendered by a router, subsequent packets having a subsequent header are forwarded if the subsequent header has at least one field which matches a field of the first header. Such technique may be implemented by a switch coupled to the router.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ray Kloth, Thomas J. Edsall, Luca Cafiero
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Publication number: 20070222562Abstract: A network node determines the suitability of coupled devices for being remotely line powered before actually powering them. The node scan its ports to determine which ports are coupled to devices. The node then interrogates the coupled devices. A unique discovery tone or bit pattern is generated and sent to devices coupled to ports. The node then monitors the port for a return signal. If there is a return signal, it is compared to the transmitted discovery signal. The signal will be identical after allowing for line losses if the coupled device is suitable for remote line powering. If the comparison yields a match, the network node supplies remote line power to the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Luca Cafiero, Maurilio De Nicolo, Thomas Edsall, Karl Nakamura, Soei-Shin Hang