Patents by Inventor Ward R. Nelson
Ward R. Nelson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9774499Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems to assist in distribution of packets between a plurality of switch elements in a distributed switch, by monitoring an attribute of each of the plurality of switch elements including a first switch element and a first surrogate switch element, the first surrogate switch element in a first level of a hierarchy and configured using a default hierarchy configuration, the default hierarchy configuration forwarding a data frame to at least one of: a destination switch element of the data frame, and a second surrogate switch element, the second surrogate switch element in a second hierarchy level; computing a score, based on the monitored attribute, for each of the switch elements; and upon determining the score of the first switch element is greater than the score of the first surrogate switch element, designating the first switch element as the first surrogate switch element.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2015Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.Inventors: David A. Christenson, Josep Cors, Ward R. Nelson, Jun C. Yin
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Patent number: 9473420Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing access control lists in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch made of switch units is divided into logical switch partitions, or logical networks. Physical ports of the switch units are partitioned into logical ports, where each logical port is associated with a logical switch partition. A control point of the distributed network switch manages and assigns a service tag (S-Tag) used to identify which logical port ingress and egress frames are associated with. To generate metrics and other forwarding actions for a given logical switch partition, the control point sets up access control list (ACLs) targeting the logical port associated with the S-Tags associated with the given logical switch partition.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Josep Cors, Ward R. Nelson, Daniel E. Pradilla, Chandramouli Radhakrishnan
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Patent number: 9455895Abstract: Systems and methods to analyze layer-2 data frame switch forwarding are provided. A first switch may be coupled to a second switch. The first switch may maintain state information mirroring the state of the second switch. A sequence number may be appended to a data frame that is received at the first switch. Forwarding compliance of the second switch may be determined by analyzing a runtime attribute of the first switch.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2013Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: David A. Christenson, Josep Cors, Ward R. Nelson
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Patent number: 9282056Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing access control lists in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch made of switch units is divided into logical switch partitions, or logical networks. Physical ports of the switch units are partitioned into logical ports, where each logical port is associated with a logical switch partition. A control point of the distributed network switch manages and assigns a service tag (S-Tag) used to identify which logical port ingress and egress frames are associated with. To generate metrics and other forwarding actions for a given logical switch partition, the control point sets up access control list (ACLs) targeting the logical port associated with the S-Tags associated with the given logical switch partition.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Josep Cors, Ward R. Nelson, Daniel E. Pradilla, Chandramouli Radhakrishnan
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Publication number: 20160013982Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems to assist in distribution of packets between a plurality of switch elements in a distributed switch, by monitoring an attribute of each of the plurality of switch elements including a first switch element and a first surrogate switch element, the first surrogate switch element in a first level of a hierarchy and configured using a default hierarchy configuration, the default hierarchy configuration forwarding a data frame to at least one of: a destination switch element of the data frame, and a second surrogate switch element, the second surrogate switch element in a second hierarchy level; computing a score, based on the monitored attribute, for each of the switch elements; and upon determining the score of the first switch element is greater than the score of the first surrogate switch element, designating the first switch element as the first surrogate switch element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: David A. Christenson, Josep Cors, Ward R. Nelson, Jun C. Yin
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Patent number: 9215128Abstract: A firmware model is provided for a shared port membership table that is partitioned for different needs of a distributed network switch, such as broadcast groups, multicast groups, ACL rules, and other port membership groupings. The shared port membership table enables a control point to set the size of each of the types of port membership information based on their usage or expected usage. By shrinking one partition, the control point is able to use the port group entries for a different partition of port group information.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Josep Cors, Ward R. Nelson, Jun C. Yin
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Patent number: 9178808Abstract: The different switch modules making up a distributed virtual switch may route configuration commands for hardware resources to different modules within the distributed switch using a distribution and routing layer. At least one of the switch modules maintains a routing table that defines which switch modules are responsible for which hardware resources. The switch module uses the routing tables to forward the commands on the distribution and routing layer to the responsible switch module which then ensures that the relevant hardware resources are configured.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Josep Cors, David R. Engebretsen, David L. Hermsmeier, Adam C. Lange-Pearson, Ward R. Nelson
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Patent number: 9172639Abstract: The different switch modules making up a distributed virtual switch may route configuration commands for hardware resources to different modules within the distributed switch using a distribution and routing layer. At least one of the switch modules maintains a routing table that defines which switch modules are responsible for which hardware resources. The switch module uses the routing tables to forward the commands on the distribution and routing layer to the responsible switch module which then ensures that the relevant hardware resources are configured.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Josep Cors, David R. Engebretsen, David L. Hermsmeier, Adam C. Lange-Pearson, Ward R. Nelson
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Patent number: 9124519Abstract: Method to assist in distribution of packets between a plurality of switch elements in a distributed switch, by monitoring an attribute of each of the plurality of switch elements including a first switch element and a first surrogate switch element, the first surrogate switch element in a first level of a hierarchy and configured using a default hierarchy configuration. The default hierarchy configuration forwards a data frame to at least one of: a destination switch element of the data frame, and a second surrogate switch element. The second surrogate switch element is in a second hierarchy level. A score is computed based on the monitored attribute for each of the switch elements. Upon determining the score of the first switch element is greater than the score of the first surrogate switch element, the first switch element is designated as the first surrogate switch element.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: David A. Christenson, Josep Cors, Ward R. Nelson, Jun C. Yin
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Patent number: 9112796Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to assist in distribution of packets between a plurality of switch elements in a distributed switch, by monitoring an attribute of each of the plurality of switch elements including a first switch element and a first surrogate switch element, the first surrogate switch element in a first level of a hierarchy and configured using a default hierarchy configuration, the default hierarchy configuration forwarding a data frame to at least one of: a destination switch element of the data frame, and a second surrogate switch element, the second surrogate switch element in a second hierarchy level; computing a score, based on the monitored attribute, for each of the switch elements; and upon determining the score of the first switch element is greater than the score of the first surrogate switch element, designating the first switch element as the first surrogate switch element.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: David A. Christenson, Josep Cors, Ward R. Nelson, Jun C. Yin
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Patent number: 9054947Abstract: A firmware model is provided for a shared port membership table that is partitioned for different needs of a distributed network switch, such as broadcast groups, multicast groups, ACL rules, and other port membership groupings. The shared port membership table enables a control point to set the size of each of the types of port membership information based on their usage or expected usage. By shrinking one partition, the control point is able to use the port group entries for a different partition of port group information.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Josep Cors, Ward R. Nelson, Jun C. Yin
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Publication number: 20140280826Abstract: A firmware model is provided for a shared port membership table that is partitioned for different needs of a distributed network switch, such as broadcast groups, multicast groups, ACL rules, and other port membership groupings. The shared port membership table enables a control point to set the size of each of the types of port membership information based on their usage or expected usage. By shrinking one partition, the control point is able to use the port group entries for a different partition of port group information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Josep CORS, Ward R. NELSON, Jun C. YIN
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Publication number: 20140269742Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to assist in distribution of packets between a plurality of switch elements in a distributed switch, by monitoring an attribute of each of the plurality of switch elements including a first switch element and a first surrogate switch element, the first surrogate switch element in a first level of a hierarchy and configured using a default hierarchy configuration, the default hierarchy configuration forwarding a data frame to at least one of: a destination switch element of the data frame, and a second surrogate switch element, the second surrogate switch element in a second hierarchy level; computing a score, based on the monitored attribute, for each of the switch elements; and upon determining the score of the first switch element is greater than the score of the first surrogate switch element, designating the first switch element as the first surrogate switch element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: David A. Christenson, Josep Cors, Ward R. Nelson, Jun C. Yin
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Publication number: 20140269290Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing access control lists in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch made of switch units is divided into logical switch partitions, or logical networks. Physical ports of the switch units are partitioned into logical ports, where each logical port is associated with a logical switch partition. A control point of the distributed network switch manages and assigns a service tag (S-Tag) used to identify which logical port ingress and egress frames are associated with. To generate metrics and other forwarding actions for a given logical switch partition, the control point sets up access control list (ACLs) targeting the logical port associated with the S-Tags associated with the given logical switch partition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Josep CORS, Ward R. NELSON, Daniel E. PRADILLA, Chandramouli RADHAKRISHNAN
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Publication number: 20140269756Abstract: A firmware model is provided for a shared port membership table that is partitioned for different needs of a distributed network switch, such as broadcast groups, multicast groups, ACL rules, and other port membership groupings. The shared port membership table enables a control point to set the size of each of the types of port membership information based on their usage or expected usage. By shrinking one partition, the control point is able to use the port group entries for a different partition of port group information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Josep Cors, Ward R. Nelson, Jun C. Yin
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Publication number: 20140269273Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing access control lists in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch made of switch units is divided into logical switch partitions, or logical networks. Physical ports of the switch units are partitioned into logical ports, where each logical port is associated with a logical switch partition. A control point of the distributed network switch manages and assigns a service tag (S-Tag) used to identify which logical port ingress and egress frames are associated with. To generate metrics and other forwarding actions for a given logical switch partition, the control point sets up access control list (ACLs) targeting the logical port associated with the S-Tags associated with the given logical switch partition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Josep CORS, Ward R. Nelson, Daniel E. Pradilla, Chandramouli Radhakrishnan
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Publication number: 20130142196Abstract: The different switch modules making up a distributed virtual switch may route configuration commands for hardware resources to different modules within the distributed switch using a distribution and routing layer. At least one of the switch modules maintains a routing table that defines which switch modules are responsible for which hardware resources. The switch module uses the routing tables to forward the commands on the distribution and routing layer to the responsible switch module which then ensures that the relevant hardware resources are configured.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Josep Cors, David R. Engebretsen, David L. Hermsmeier, Adam C. Lange-Pearson, Ward R. Nelson
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Patent number: 7089450Abstract: A recovery process for embedded processors monitors other processes in the system. Each process may specify a recovery policy residing in nonvolatile electronic memory that preferably includes a recovery count, a recovery time, and a recovery action. If a process terminates unexpectedly, the recovery process determines whether the process had a corresponding recovery policy. If not, the recovery process does not recover the process. If the process has a corresponding recovery policy, the recovery process determines whether it can recover the process by examining the recovery count and recovery time specified in the recovery policy. If the process can be recovered, the recovery process performs the recovery action specified in the corresponding recovery policy. If the process cannot be recovered, the recovery process resets the system.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Gary D. Anderson, Andreas Arnez, Joshua W. Boyer, Gerald G. Kreissig, Paul Edward Movall, Ward R. Nelson
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Publication number: 20040215997Abstract: A recovery process for embedded processors monitors other processes in the system. Each process may specify a recovery policy residing in nonvolatile electronic memory that preferably includes a recovery count, a recovery time, and a recovery action. If a process terminates unexpectedly, the recovery process determines whether the process had a corresponding recovery policy. If not, the recovery process does not recover the process. If the process has a corresponding recovery policy, the recovery process determines whether it can recover the process by examining the recovery count and recovery time specified in the recovery policy. If the process can be recovered, the recovery process performs the recovery action specified in the corresponding recovery policy. If the process cannot be recovered, the recovery process resets the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2003Publication date: October 28, 2004Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Gary D. Anderson, Andreas Arnez, Joshua W. Boyer, Gerald G. Kreissig, Paul Edward Movall, Ward R. Nelson