Abstract: A method for management of a host computer that includes a management controller configured to carry out, independently of the host CPU, host management instructions contained in management packets compliant with a first data link protocol. The method includes receiving the management packets from a first network operating in accordance with the first data link protocol. The management packets are encapsulated in data packets compliant with a second data link protocol, different from the first data link protocol. The data packets are transmitted to a second network, operating in accordance with the second data link protocol. The transmitted data packets are received from the second network in a network interface controller (NIC), which is installed in the host computer and connected to the second network. The NIC decapsulates the management packets from the received data packets and passes the decapsulated management packets via a sideband connection to the management controller.

Abstract: A startup sequence in a computer system is initiated by detecting a bus reset event in an I/O device connected to a host, and responsively to the bus reset event communicating resources required to be allocated by the host. When a startup command from a host driver is not received within a predetermined bus reset count, the device autonomously changes its current configuration to a safe mode configuration, wherein fewer resources are required to be allocated relative to the current configuration. The safe mode configuration is communicated from the device to the host.

Abstract: A startup sequence in a computer system is initiated by detecting a bus reset event in an I/O device connected to a host, and responsively to the bus reset event communicating resources required to be allocated by the host. When a startup command from a host driver is not received within a predetermined bus reset count, the device autonomously changes its current configuration to a safe mode configuration, wherein fewer resources are required to be allocated relative to the current configuration. The safe mode configuration is communicated from the device to the host.

Abstract: A method for management of a host computer that includes a management controller configured to carry out, independently of the host CPU, host management instructions contained in management packets compliant with a first data link protocol. The method includes receiving the management packets from a first network operating in accordance with the first data link protocol. The management packets are encapsulated in data packets compliant with a second data link protocol, different from the first data link protocol. The data packets are transmitted to a second network, operating in accordance with the second data link protocol. The transmitted data packets are received from the second network in a network interface controller (NIC), which is installed in the host computer and connected to the second network. The NIC decapsulates the management packets from the received data packets and passes the decapsulated management packets via a sideband connection to the management controller.

Abstract: A method for communication includes sending first data over a first communication link to a destination communication system at a first data rate, which can be varied. Second data, including at least a portion of the first data, is sent over a second communication link from the source communication system to the destination communication system at a second data rate, which can be varied. First and second data rates of the respective first and second communication links are dynamically set. At least the portion of the first data is selectively extracted from one of the first and second data at the destination communication system. In some embodiments, the first data equals the second data, and the data is extracted without data loss.

Abstract: A method for communication over a communication link, which includes a transmitter and a receiver, includes transmitting and receiving data, which is encoded using a specified forward error correction (FEC) code, modulated using a specified modulation scheme and transmitted at a given power level. One or more parameters of the communication link are monitored. A condition, which is based on values of one or more of the parameters monitored at a plurality of historical time instants, is evaluated. At least one feature of the transmitted data, selected from a group of features consisting of the FEC code, the modulation scheme and the power level, is modified based on the condition.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first communication unit, which is arranged to communicate with a remote communication system over a first communication link having a first, variable data rate. A second communication unit is arranged to exchange data with the remote communication system by communicating with the first communication unit over a second communication link having a second data rate. The first and second communication units are arranged to modify the second data rate responsively to variations in the first data rate, so as to match the second data rate to the first data rate.

Abstract: A method for communication over a communication link, which includes a transmitter and a receiver, includes transmitting and receiving data, which is encoded using a specified forward error correction (FEC) code, modulated using a specified modulation scheme and transmitted at a given power level. One or more parameters of the communication link are monitored. A condition, which is based on values of one or more of the parameters monitored at a plurality of historical time instants, is evaluated. At least one feature of the transmitted data, selected from a group of features consisting of the FEC code, the modulation scheme and the power level, is modified based on the condition.

Abstract: A method for communication includes sending first data over a first communication link to a destination communication system at a first data rate, which can be varied. Second data, including at least a portion of the first data, is sent over a second communication link from the source communication system to the destination communication system at a second data rate, which can be varied. First and second data rates of the respective first and second communication links are dynamically set. At least the portion of the first data is selectively extracted from one of the first and second data at the destination communication system. In some embodiments, the first data equals the second data, and the data is extracted without data loss.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first communication unit, which is arranged to communicate with a remote communication system over a first communication link having a first, variable data rate. A second communication unit is arranged to exchange data with the remote communication system by communicating with the first communication unit over a second communication link having a second data rate. The first and second communication units are arranged to modify the second data rate responsively to variations in the first data rate, so as to match the second data rate to the first data rate.