Abstract: A system includes a first fail-safe chassis (FSC) receives module health signals from a plurality of modules and generates a first chassis health signal. The chassis health signal includes first and second portions. A plurality of modules receives the chassis health signal. The FSC determines whether one or more of the module heals signals indicates an associated module is unhealthy by comparing the module health signals and a predetermined health value. The FSC selectively de-asserts the first chassis health signal based on the comparison. A second FSC operates similarly. A safety relay box determines the health of the system in accordance with the first and second chassis health signals.

Abstract: A system includes a first fail-safe chassis (FSC) receives module health signals from a plurality of modules and generates a first chassis health signal. The chassis health signal includes first and second portions. A plurality of modules receives the chassis health signal. The FSC determines whether one or more of the module heals signals indicates an associated module is unhealthy by comparing the module health signals and a predetermined health value. The FSC selectively de-asserts the first chassis health signal based on the comparison. A second FSC operates similarly. A safety relay box determines the health of the system in accordance with the first and second chassis health signals.

Abstract: A firmware upgrade computer system includes a bank select switch that generates a bank select signal. The system further includes a bank module that includes a first firmware code and a second bank module that includes a second firmware code. The system also includes a control module that determines whether the first bank module and the second bank module is a selected bank based on the bank select signal. The control module determines whether the first bank module and the second bank module is a nonselected bank based on the bank select signal. The control module selectively instructs the selected bank to communicate one of the first firmware code and the second firmware code to the nonselected bank. The system also includes a storage module that stores a selected bank value indicative of the selected bank.

Abstract: Flow control in a distributed switch fabric (100, 200) includes detecting at least one of a congestion condition (238) in a downstream transceiver port (205) and an oversubscribing condition (257) of a channel buffer (230), where the downstream transceiver port (205) and the channel buffer (230) both correspond to a channel (231) of a traffic manager (208). Packets begin accumulating in the channel buffer (230). Per-flow flow control (254) operates to modify transmission of the packets over the channel (231) to the channel buffer (230) if the channel buffer (230) reaches a threshold value (256). Link level flow control (252) operates transparently to the traffic manager (208) if the congestion condition (238) is detected and the channel buffer (230) fails to reach the threshold value (256).

Abstract: Flow control in a distributed switch fabric (100, 200) includes detecting at least one of a congestion condition (238) in a downstream transceiver port (205) and an oversubscribing condition (257) of a channel buffer (230), where the downstream transceiver port (205) and the channel buffer (230) both correspond to a channel (231) of a traffic manager (208). Packets begin accumulating in the channel buffer (230). Per-flow flow control (254) operates to modify transmission of the packets over the channel (231) to the channel buffer (230) if the channel buffer (230) reaches a threshold value (256). Link level flow control (252) operates transparently to the traffic manager (208) if the congestion condition (238) is detected and the channel buffer (230) fails to reach the threshold value (256).