Abstract: A first method includes a plurality of nodes communicating with a network switch, each node transmitting a packet with a packet header that includes a value of a node-level attribute selected from a node utilization level, a node role, and a dependency involving the node, and the network switch receiving the packet and prioritizing transmission of the packet based on the value of the node-level attribute identified in the packet header. In a related second method, each node reports the value of the node-level attribute to a management entity, the management entity determines a priority for each node based on the value of the node-level attribute received from each node, and the management entity provides the priority for each node to the network switch, such that the network switch prioritizes, for each packet, transmission of the packet based on the priority for the node involved in communication of the packet.

Abstract: A first method includes a plurality of nodes communicating with a network switch, each node transmitting a packet with a packet header that includes a value of a node-level attribute selected from a node utilization level, a node role, and a dependency involving the node, and the network switch receiving the packet and prioritizing transmission of the packet based on the value of the node-level attribute identified in the packet header. In a related second method, each node reports the value of the node-level attribute to a management entity, the management entity determines a priority for each node based on the value of the node-level attribute received from each node, and the management entity provides the priority for each node to the network switch, such that the network switch prioritizes, for each packet, transmission of the packet based on the priority for the node involved in communication of the packet.

Abstract: Described is a personal computer system that includes a first housing coupled to a second housing with a multi-conductor cable. The first housing includes an IDE direct access storage device having an opening for receiving a removable storage medium. The second housing is separate from the first housing and includes a microprocessor coupled to a local bus and an expansion bus, a first IDE controller, a non-volatile storage device coupled to the local bus and a power supply. The cable is coupled to the first and second housings for electrically connecting devices in the first housing to devices in the second housing. The second housing has a first interface coupled to the expansion bus, the first IDE controller and the cable. The first housing includes a second interface coupled to the cable and the IDE device.