Abstract: A computer includes a central processing unit, a first network adapter, a second network adapter, and an embedded switch. The embedded switch has a port coupled to the central processing unit, a port coupled to the first network adapter, and a port coupled to the second network adapter. The embedded switch provides a central processing unit with access to an external network using a selected one of the first and second network adapters, runs a baseboard management controller module that includes the functionality of a baseboard management controller, and provides the baseboard management controller module with access to an external network through the embedded switch to communicate with a remote management node.

Abstract: A computer includes a central processing unit, a first network adapter, a second network adapter, and an embedded switch. The embedded switch has a port coupled to the central processing unit, a port coupled to the first network adapter, and a port coupled to the second network adapter. The embedded switch provides a central processing unit with access to an external network using a selected one of the first and second network adapters, runs a baseboard management controller module that includes the functionality of a baseboard management controller, and provides the baseboard management controller module with access to an external network through the embedded switch to communicate with a remote management node.

Abstract: A computer includes a central processing unit, a management processor, a first network adapter, a second network adapter, and an embedded switch. The embedded switch includes a port coupled to the central processing unit, a port coupled to the management processor, a port coupled to the first network adapter, and a port coupled to the second network adapter. Furthermore, the embedded switch provides both the central processing unit and the management processor with access to an external network using a selected one of the first and second network adapters. Optionally, the computer may include additional network adapters.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a local compute node connected to a first networking switch by a direct local link. The first switch reduces its priority in response to determining that that the first networking switch is currently unable to establish the bi-directional communication with the local compute node through the direct local link. If the reduced priority of the first networking switch is greater than a priority of each of at least one additional networking switch in a cluster, then the first networking switch operates as a master networking switch for the cluster. If the reduced priority of the first networking switch is less than the priority of any of the at least one networking switch, then the first networking switch operates as a standby networking switch and one of the atleast one additional networking switch having the highest priority is operated as the master networking switch for the cluster.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a local compute node and a first networking switch. The first switch determines whether bi-directional communication is established with the compute node via a direct local link. A message received from an additional networking switch through an inter-switch link indicates whether the additional switch has its additional access/uplinks enabled. The first switch enables first access/uplinks in response to determining that the first switch has currently established bi-directional communication with the compute node and that the received message indicates that the additional networking switch has its additional access/uplinks disabled. The first networking switch disables the first access/uplinks on the first switch in response to determining that the first switch is currently unable to establish bi-directional communication with the compute node and/or receiving a message indicating that the additional networking switch has its additional access/uplinks enabled.

Abstract: A computer includes a central processing unit, a management processor, a first network adapter, a second network adapter, and an embedded switch. The embedded switch includes a port coupled to the central processing unit, a port coupled to the management processor, a port coupled to the first network adapter, and a port coupled to the second network adapter. Furthermore, the embedded switch provides both the central processing unit and the management processor with access to an external network using a selected one of the first and second network adapters. Optionally, the computer may include additional network adapters.

Abstract: A host device receives a predetermined combination of keystrokes a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time interval, from a terminal device communicatively connected to the host device. In response to receiving the predetermined combination of keystrokes the predetermined number of times within the predetermined time interval, the host device suspends transmission of log messages from the host device to the terminal device for at least a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: A host device receives a predetermined combination of keystrokes a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time interval, from a terminal device communicatively connected to the host device. In response to receiving the predetermined combination of keystrokes the predetermined number of times within the predetermined time interval, the host device suspends transmission of log messages from the host device to the terminal device for at least a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: A stack switch for performing pass-through forwarding operations, assigning stack switch identifiers to a plurality of stack switches, temporarily disabling supervision messages exchanged by stack switches, and electing a primary master stack switch is disclosed. In the pass-through mode, the stack switch automatically forwards packets between stack ports independent of their destination address to maintain connectivity between adjacent stack switches while conventional bridging and routing operations are disabled. The sequential identifiers are also preferably assigned in accordance with the sequential position of the various stack switches to better reflect the topology of those switches. The switch is also preferably adapted to temporarily disable the transmission of supervision messages between stack switches to prevent re-assignment of network management functions when switch resources are low.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method is disclosed for operating a network having a group of bridges connected together to form a ring, each bridge having two ports assigned to the ring to form a group of ring ports. The claimed embodiment includes forwarding information through the ring according to one or more spanning tree instances, each instance designating one of the group of ring ports as a respective alternate port that is in a state of discarding. Responsive to learning of a failure by a bridge within the ring, a determination is made, for each spanning tree instance, whether the bridge contains a respective alternate port and if the bridge contains a respective alternate port, changing the state of the respective alternate port to forwarding.

Abstract: A stack switch for performing pass-through forwarding operations, assigning stack switch identifiers to a plurality of stack switches, temporarily disabling supervision messages exchanged by stack switches, and electing a primary master stack switch is disclosed. In the pass-through mode, the stack switch automatically forwards packets between stack ports independent of their destination address to maintain connectivity between adjacent stack switches while conventional bridging and routing operations are disabled. The sequential identifiers are also preferably assigned in accordance with the sequential position of the various stack switches to better reflect the topology of those switches. The switch is also preferably adapted to temporarily disable the transmission of supervision messages between stack switches to prevent re-assignment of network management functions when switch resources are low.

Abstract: A stack switch for performing pass-through forwarding operations, assigning stack switch identifiers to a plurality of stack switches, temporarily disabling supervision messages exchanged by stack switches, and electing a primary master stack switch is disclosed. In the pass-through mode, the stack switch automatically forwards packets between stack ports independent of their destination address to maintain connectivity between adjacent stack switches while conventional bridging and routing operations are disabled. The sequential identifiers are also preferably assigned in accordance with the sequential position of the various stack switches to better reflect the topology of those switches. The switch is also preferably adapted to temporarily disable the transmission of supervision messages between stack switches to prevent re-assignment of network management functions when switch resources are low.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method is disclosed for operating a network having a group of bridges connected together to form a ring, each bridge having two ports assigned to the ring to form a group of ring ports. The claimed embodiment includes forwarding information through the ring according to one or more spanning tree instances, each instance designating one of the group of ring ports as a respective alternate port that is in a state of discarding. Responsive to learning of a failure by a bridge within the ring, a determination is made, for each spanning tree instance, whether the bridge contains a respective alternate port and if the bridge contains a respective alternate port, changing the state of the respective alternate port to forwarding.