Abstract: A method for transferring information between a first network comprising first-network-stations operating under an Ethernet protocol and a second network comprising second-network-stations operating under a Fibre Channel (FC) protocol, including grouping the first-network-stations into virtual local area networks (VLANs) which each transfer a respective VLAN-data-frame within the VLAN, and grouping the second-network-stations into FC zones which each transfer a respective zone-data-frame within the zone. The method further includes coupling the networks together using a gateway to convey data between the networks, configuring the gateway with an association mapping a primary VLAN and a primary zone, and translating in the gateway between a primary VLAN-data-frame and a primary zone-data-frame, responsive to the association, so as to convey primary-data between the primary VLAN and the primary zone via the gateway.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring data, including a first gateway, adapted to operate as a first switch in a first storage area network (SAN) operating according to a Fiber Channel protocol, and which is coupled to receive a data-frame addressed to a virtual address of a receiving client operative in a second SAN. The apparatus also includes a second gateway, adapted to operate as a second switch in the second SAN, which operates according to the Fiber Channel protocol substantially independently of the first SAN. The second gateway is coupled to receive the data-frame from the first gateway, and is adapted to look up a local address of the receiving client in the second SAN by using at least part of the virtual address as an index to an incoming-data-frame translation table, and to transmit the data-frame addressed to a local address of the receiving client.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a distributed switching system and method for fibre channel data transfer. The preferred embodiment of the present inventions is a simple distributed switching algorithm which ensures high bandwidth utilization and statistical fairness of resource usage without having to rely on complex and expensive central switching management architectures. The algorithm, which operates on two interrelated round-robin selection mechanisms—at the output ports and at the input ports—enables head of queue reduction, since output port schedule an input port only when there is a place in output FIFO. The crossbar, then, supports only frames that are just about to leave the switch. It also allocates minimum data storage per buffer, wherein the buffers are defined as dedicated memory allocated in each input port. Such a method is efficient for achieving memory reduction, especially for multiple ports systems in which a large amount of data is transferred.

Abstract: A method for transferring information between an iSCSI device operating under an iSCSI protocol within a TCP/IP network and a SCSI over Fiber Channel (FCP) device operating under an FCP protocol within an FC network, including: coupling the TCP/IP and the FC networks via a gateway which conveys data between the networks; generating in the gateway a virtual-FC-address for the iSCSI device; generating in the gateway a virtual-TCP/IP-address for the FCP device; conveying a first FC-data-frame, from the FCP device addressed to the virtual-FC-address of the iSCSI device; translating in the gateway the first FCP-data-frame into a first iSCSI-data-frame, addressed to a TCP/IP address of the iSCSI device; and conveying the first iSCSI-data-frame from the gateway to the iSCSI device responsive to the TCP/IP address. The gateway also transfers data from the iSCSI to the FCP device using the virtual addresses.

Abstract: A method for transferring information between a first network comprising first-network-stations operating under an Ethernet protocol and a second network comprising second-network-stations operating under a Fibre Channel (FC) protocol, including grouping the first-network-stations into virtual local area networks (VLANs) which each transfer a respective VLAN-data-frame within the VLAN, and grouping the second-network-stations into FC zones which each transfer a respective zone-data-frame within the zone. The method further includes coupling the networks together using a gateway to convey data between the networks, configuring the gateway with an association mapping a primary VLAN and a primary zone, and translating in the gateway between a primary VLAN-data-frame and a primary zone-data-frame, responsive to the association, so as to convey primary-data between the primary VLAN and the primary zone via the gateway.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring data, including a first gateway, adapted to operate as a first switch in a first storage area network (SAN) operating according to a Fiber Channel protocol, and which is coupled to receive a data-frame addressed to a virtual address of a receiving client operative in a second SAN. The apparatus also includes a second gateway, adapted to operate as a second switch in the second SAN, which operates according to the Fiber Channel protocol substantially independently of the first SAN. The second gateway is coupled to receive the data-frame from the first gateway, and is adapted to look up a local address of the receiving client in the second SAN by using at least part of the virtual address as an index to an incoming-data-frame translation table, and to transmit the data-frame addressed to a local address of the receiving client.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring data between first and second networks, each operating according to a Fibre Channel (FC) protocol, via a central network which operates according to a different protocol. The apparatus consists of a first interface between the first network and the central network, and a second interface between the second network and the central network. Each interface has a memory containing a look-up table, and each interface is adapted to receive an FC data-frame from a client on its FC network. The data-frame is converted, using the table, to a data-frame compatible with the central network. The first interface receives an FC data-frame and converts the data-frame to one compatible with the central network. The converted data-frame is transmitted via the central network to the second interface, wherein the FC data-frame is recovered and transmitted within the second FC network.