Abstract: A method of operating a computer system comprising a bridge port between a hardware local area network (LAN) and a virtual switch includes providing a first hash table by the hardware LAN to the virtual switch via the bridge port, wherein the first hash table comprises addresses of a first plurality of VMs that comprise the hardware LAN, wherein the first plurality of VMs communicate with the hardware LAN via respective hardware network interface cards (NICs); and updating a second hash table in the virtual switch to include the addresses of the first hash table, wherein the second hash table further comprises addresses of a second plurality of VMs of the virtual switch, wherein the second plurality of VMs communicate with the virtual switch via respective virtual NICs.

Abstract: Performing logical partition (LPAR)-to-LPAR communication in a network computing environment. Read or write requests to different memory areas of a single computer memory are controlled by a storage control element, where the requests are issued by different multiple operating systems using a general network transfer format. A request is sent by a first operating system to said storage control element, where the request is executed with a processor instruction. A result of the request is received by the same or a second operating system. A modified processor instruction is sent to the storage control element, which implements an execution of the instruction synchronously performed to the sending of the instruction, without buffering the request of the instruction in a dedicated queue.

Abstract: A computer system includes a bridge port configured between a hardware local area network (LAN) and a virtual switch; the hardware LAN, the hardware LAN comprising a first plurality of virtual machines (VMs), wherein the first plurality of VMs communicate with the hardware LAN via respective hardware network interface cards (NICs); the virtual switch, the virtual switch comprising a second plurality of VMs, wherein the second plurality of VMs communicate with the virtual switch via respective virtual NICs, wherein the first plurality of VMs communicate with the second plurality of VMs via the bridge port.

Abstract: Performing logical partition (LPAR)-to-LPAR communication in a network computing environment. Read or write requests to different memory areas of a single computer memory are controlled by a storage control element, where the requests are issued by different multiple operating systems using a general network transfer format. A request is sent by a first operating system to said storage control element, where the request is executed with a processor instruction. A result of the request is received by the same or a second operating system. A modified processor instruction is sent to the storage control element, which implements an execution of the instruction synchronously performed to the sending of the instruction, without buffering the request of the instruction in a dedicated queue.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a solution for check-stopping firmware implemented virtual communication channels without disabling all firmware functions. In the solution, a virtual input/output subsystem of firmware can be selectively isolated from other portions of the firmware. This permits the virtual input/output subsystem to be disabled when severe errors occur involving virtual communication channels, without affecting other portions and functions of the firmware. Check-stopping the virtual I/O subsystem can be performed using existing hardware mechanisms for handling permanent errors including channel report words (CRW), channel control block (CHCB), and the like. The subsystem can be reactivated in response to a firmware patch which can be an automated or manual procedure.