Abstract: A regular expression matcher system, including: a deterministic finite state machine (DFSM); a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) matcher to compare a word stored at the TCAM matcher to an input stream, wherein the word determines a state-to-state transition of the DFSM from a comparison result; a programmable logic connected to an output of the TCAM matcher to identify a next state in the DFSM based on the comparison result; a state register to update a current state of the DFSM to the next state; and a collection data structure coupled to the TCAM matcher and the programmable logic to store a sequence of required state transitions for the DFSM, wherein the programmable logic determines a next required state transition to be matched from the sequence.

Abstract: A regular expression matcher system, including: a deterministic finite state machine (DFSM); a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) matcher to compare a word stored at the TCAM matcher to an input stream, wherein the word determines a state-to-state transition of the DFSM from a comparison result; a programmable logic connected to an output of the TCAM matcher to identify a next state in the DFSM based on the comparison result; a state register to update a current state of the DFSM to the next state; and a collection data structure coupled to the TCAM matcher and the programmable logic to store a sequence of required state transitions for the DFSM, wherein the programmable logic determines a next required state transition to be matched from the sequence.

Abstract: A collective storage system and method for restoring data in the system after a failure in the system. The system includes multiple storage nodes that are interconnected by a network and store data as extents. There are also a set of Data Service (DS) agents for managing the extents, a set of Metadata Service (MDS) agents for managing metadata relating to the nodes and the extents, and a Cluster Manager (CM) agent in each node. After a node failure is detected by one of the CM agents, the agents responsible for coordinating the data restoring are notified of the failure. The agents generate a plan to restore the data extents affected by the failure, and then collectively restoring the affected extents based on the generated plan. The coordinating agents might be the MDS agents or DS agents. The failure might be a node failure or a disk failure.

Abstract: A collective storage system and method for restoring data in the system after a failure in the system. The system includes multiple storage nodes that are interconnected by a network and store data as extents. There are also a set of Data Service (DS) agents for managing the extents, a set of Metadata Service (MDS) agents for managing metadata relating to the nodes and the extents, and a Cluster Manager (CM) agent in each node. After a node failure is detected by one of the CM agents, the agents responsible for coordinating the data restoring are notified of the failure. The agents generate a plan to restore the data extents affected by the failure, and then collectively restoring the affected extents based on the generated plan. The coordinating agents might be the MDS agents or DS agents. The failure might be a node failure or a disk failure.

Abstract: A multi-nodal data processing system includes a plurality of processing nodes, each node connected to plural other nodes by bidirectional data links. Each node comprises receivers for receiving messages on bidirectional data links and transmitters for transmitting messages on bidirectional data links. Each node records child nodes to which a message was transmitted and is further adapted to transmit a lock-up message received from a child node to a parent node, the lock-up message indicating a successful establishment of a message signal path to a destination node. Each node further is adapted to transmit a link cancel signal to another node to close the link in the event of an unsuccessful message transfer attempt over the link. Each node inhibits transmission of a lock-up signal to a parent node until link cancel signals have been received from all child nodes (other than a node from which a lock-up signal was received).

Abstract: A computing system includes plural nodes that are connected by a communications network. Each node comprises a communications interface that enables an exchange of messages with other nodes. A ready queue is maintained in a node and includes plural message entries, each message entry indicating an output message control data structure. The node further includes memory for storing plural output message control data structures, each including one or more chained further monrtol data structures that define data comprising a message or a portion of a message that is to be dispatched. Control data structures that are chained from an output messsage control data structure exhibit a sequence dependincy. A processor is controlled by the ready queue and enables dispatch of portions of the message designated by an output message control data structure and associated further control structures.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating an optical communications system having at least two communicating entities (10,12). In accordance with a method of the invention a first step transmits communication link control information from a first entity to a second entity over a first optical channel having a first data bit rate. Responsive to the transmitted communication link control information, a second step of the method transmits data information from the second entity to the first entity over a second optical channel having a second data bit rate that is greater than the first data bit rate. The first optical channel is preferably a relatively low-bandwidth diffuse transmission infrared radiation channel. The second optical channel is preferably a relatively high-bandwidth infrared channel. One of the entities is a network adapter coupled to a wired network. The network adapter is preferably ceiling mounted. The other entity may be a mobile data processor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating an optical communications system having at least two communicating entities (10,12). In accordance with a method of the invention a first step transmits communication link control information from a first entity to a second entity over a first optical channel having a first data bit rate. Responsive to the transmitted communication link control information, a second step of the method transmits data information from the second entity to the first entity over a second optical channel having a second data bit rate that is greater than the first data bit rate. The first optical channel is preferably a relatively low-bandwidth diffuse transmission infrared radiation channel. The second optical channel is preferably a relatively high-bandwidth infrared channel. One of the entities is a network adapter coupled to a wired network. The network adapter is preferably ceiling mounted. The other entity may be a mobile data processor.