Abstract: A network interface adapter provides a host processor with two complementary modes of submitting descriptors to be executed by the adapter: a normal mode, in which the host writes descriptors to a system memory and rings an assigned doorbell to notify the adapter; and a priority mode, in which the host writes the descriptor itself to a doorbell address of the adapter. In the priority mode, the adapter is relieved of the need to read the descriptor from the memory, and can thus begin execution as soon as it has resources available to do so.

Abstract: A method for clock synchronization includes computing an offset value between a local clock time of a real-time clock circuit and a reference clock time, and loading the offset value into a register that is associated with the real-time clock circuit. The local clock time is then summed with the value in the register so as to give an adjusted value of the local clock time that is synchronized with the reference clock.

Abstract: A network communication device includes a host interface, which is coupled to communicate with a host processor, having a memory, so as to receive a work request to convey one or more data blocks over a network. The work request specifies a memory region of a given data size, and at least one data integrity field (DIF), having a given field size, is associated with the data blocks. Network interface circuitry is configured to execute an input/output (I/O) data transfer operation responsively to the work request so as to transfer to or from the memory a quantity of data that differs from the data size of the memory region by a multiple of the field size, while adding the at least one DIF to the transferred data or removing the at least one DIF from the transferred data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protocol and apparatus for enriching circulating tumor cells and other rare cells from blood, including debris and other components, from samples with high precision and at high throughput rates. This invention discloses an improved processing system from previously described semi-automated sample processing. The system further reduces operator intervention and hands-on time from prior systems. While this system has general utility in processing diverse materials, the system is configured for sample processing of biological specimens to provide an enriched fraction suitable for detection, enumeration and identification of target cells by appropriate analytical methodologies.

Abstract: A communication method in a network operating in accordance with a standard that allocates a given number of bits m for layer-2 addressing of nodes in the network. The method includes accepting at a layer-2 switch in the network an assignment to one or more nodes in the network of respective layer-2 extended addresses, each including n=m+k bits, k>0. A given data packet is received at the switch for forwarding. The given data packet includes a layer-2 destination address and a layer-3 destination address in accordance with the standard. The layer-3 destination address includes t bits, t?k. The given data packet is forwarded from the switch to one of the nodes by reading from the given data packet and combining the layer-2 destination address and k bits from the layer-3 destination address so as to reconstruct the n bits of the extended layer-2 address of the one of the nodes.

Abstract: A network communication device includes a host interface, which is coupled to communicate with a host processor, having a host memory, so as to receive a work request to execute a transaction in which a plurality of data blocks are to be transferred over a packet network. Processing circuitry is configured to process multiple data packets so as to execute the transaction, each data packet in the transaction containing a portion of the data blocks, and the multiple data packets including at least first and last packets, which respectively contain the first and last data blocks of the transaction. The processing circuitry is configured to compute a transaction signature over the data blocks while processing the data packets so that at least the first data block passes out of the network communication device through one of the interfaces before computation of the transaction signature is completed.

Abstract: An input/output (I/O) device includes a host interface for connection to a host device having a memory and a network interface, which is configured to receive, over a network, data packets associated with I/O operations directed to specified virtual addresses in the memory. Packet processing hardware is configured to translate the virtual addresses into physical addresses and to perform the I/O operations using the physical addresses, and upon an occurrence of a page fault in translating one of the virtual addresses, to transmit a response packet over the network to a source of the data packets so as to cause the source to refrain from transmitting further data packets while the page fault is serviced.

Abstract: Described are systems, devices, and methods which related to various aspects of assays for detecting and/or determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a sample fluid. In some cases, the systems employ an assay consumable comprising a plurality of assay sites. The systems, devices, and/or methods, in some cases, are automated. In some cases, the systems, devices, and/or methods relate to inserting a plurality of beads into assay sites, sealing assay sites, imaging assay sites, or the like.

Abstract: A network communication device includes a host interface, which is coupled to communicate with a host processor, having a host memory, so as to receive a work request to execute a transaction in which a plurality of data blocks are to be transferred over a packet network. Processing circuitry is configured to process multiple data packets so as to execute the transaction, each data packet in the transaction containing a portion of the data blocks, and the multiple data packets including at least first and last packets, which respectively contain the first and last data blocks of the transaction. The processing circuitry is configured to compute a transaction signature over the data blocks while processing the data packets so that at least the first data block passes out of the network communication device through one of the interfaces before computation of the transaction signature is completed.

Abstract: A system and method for accelerating input/output (IO) access operation on a virtual machine, The method comprises providing a smart IO device that includes an unrestricted command queue (CQ) and a plurality of restricted CQs and allowing a guest domain to directly configure and control IO resources through a respective restricted CQ, the IO resources allocated to the guest domain. In preferred embodiments, the allocation of IO resources to each guest domain is performed by a privileged virtual switching element. In some embodiments, the smart IO device is a HCA and the privileged virtual switching element is a Hypervisor.

Abstract: A method of communication includes receiving, in a network interface device, first and second requests from an initiator process running on an initiator host to transmit, respectively, first and second data to first and second target processes running on one or more target nodes, via a packet network. A single dynamically-connected initiator context is allocated for serving both the first and second requests. A first connect packet referencing the dynamically-connected (DC) initiator context is directed to the first target process so as to open a first dynamic connection with the first target process, followed by transmission of the first data over the first dynamic connection. The first dynamic connection is closed after the transmission of the first data, and a second connect packet is transmitted so as to open a second dynamic connection with the second target process, followed by transmission of the second data.

Abstract: A system and method for accelerating input/output (IO) access operation on a virtual machine, The method comprises providing a smart IO device that includes an unrestricted command queue (CQ) and a plurality of restricted CQs and allowing a guest domain to directly configure and control IO resources through a respective restricted CQ, the IO resources allocated to the guest domain. In preferred embodiments, the allocation of IO resources to each guest domain is performed by a privileged virtual switching element. In some embodiments, the smart IO device is a HCA and the privileged virtual switching element is a Hypervisor.

Abstract: A method for communication includes receiving a packet at a first node for transmission over a link to a second node. The data in the packet is divided into a sequence of cells of a predetermined data size. The cells have respective sequence numbers. The cells are transmitted in sequence over the link, while storing the transmitted cells in a buffer at the first node. The first node receives acknowledgments indicating the respective sequence numbers of the transmitted cells that were received at the second node. Upon receiving an indication at the first node that a transmitted cell having a given sequence number was not properly received at the second node, the stored cells are retransmitted from the buffer starting from the cell with the given sequence number.

Abstract: An adapter includes a mechanical frame, which is configured to be inserted into a SFP-type receptacle and contains a socket for receiving a plug of a twisted-pair-type cable. First electrical terminals, held by the mechanical frame, are configured to mate with a connector in the receptacle. Second electrical terminals, held within the socket, are configured to mate with electrical connections of the plug. Circuitry connects the first and second electrical terminals so as to enable interoperation of the plug with the receptacle.

Abstract: A network interface adapter includes a network interface and a client interface, for coupling to a client device so as to receive from the client device work requests to send messages over the network using a plurality of transport service instances. Message processing circuitry, coupled between the network interface and the client interface, includes an execution unit, which generates the messages in response to the work requests and passes the messages to the network interface to be sent over the network. A memory stores records of the messages that have been generated by the execution unit in respective lists according to the transport service instances with which the messages are associated. A completion unit receives the records from the memory and, responsive thereto, reports to the client device upon completion of the messages.

Abstract: A network interface adapter includes an outgoing packet generator, adapted to generate an outgoing request packet for delivery to a remote responder responsive to a request submitted by a host processor and a network output port, coupled to transmit the outgoing request packet over a network to the remote responder. A network input port receives an incoming response packet from the remote responder, in response to the outgoing request packet sent thereto, as well as an incoming request packet sent by a remote requester. An incoming packet processor receives and processes both the incoming response packet and the incoming request packet, and causes the outgoing packet generator, responsive to the incoming request packet, to generate, in addition to the outgoing request packet, an outgoing response packet for transmission to the remote requester.

Abstract: A network interface adapter includes a network interface and a client interface, for coupling to a client device so as to receive from the client device work requests to send messages over the network using a plurality of transport service instances. Message processing circuitry, coupled between the network interface and the client interface, includes an execution unit, which generates the messages in response to the work requests and passes the messages to the network interface to be sent over the network. A memory stores records of the messages that have been generated by the execution unit in respective lists according to the transport service instances with which the messages are associated. A completion unit receives the records from the memory and, responsive thereto, reports to the client device upon completion of the messages.

Abstract: A bioreactor and bioreactor system are suitable for the growth of materials from algae. More specifically, the system preferred embodiments use concentrated sunlight in a solo- or co-generation system to produce algae and products therefrom as well as solar thermal energy.

Abstract: A method of communication includes receiving, in a network interface device, first and second requests from an initiator process running on an initiator host to transmit, respectively, first and second data to first and second target processes running on one or more target nodes, via a packet network. A single dynamically-connected initiator context is allocated for serving both the first and second requests. A first connect packet referencing the dynamically-connected (DC) initiator context is directed to the first target process so as to open a first dynamic connection with the first target process, followed by transmission of the first data over the first dynamic connection. The first dynamic connection is closed after the transmission of the first data, and a second connect packet is transmitted so as to open a second dynamic connection with the second target process, followed by transmission of the second data.

Abstract: A method for communication includes routing a first packet, which belongs to a given packet flow, over a first routing path through a communication network. A second packet, which follows the first packet in the given packet flow, is routed using a time-bounded Adaptive Routing (AR) mode, by evaluating a time gap between the first and second packets, routing the second packet over the first routing path if the time gap does not exceed a predefined threshold, and, if the time gap exceeds the predefined threshold, selecting a second routing path through the communication network that is potentially different from the first routing path, and routing the second packet over the second routing path.