Abstract: An apparatus may include a circuit configured to determine a first encoded address is in a bitwise range of addresses, determine a first physical address in a storage memory from the first encoded address using bitwise mapping and retrieve first data from the first physical address in the storage memory. The circuit may further be configured to determine a second encoded address is in an offset linear range of addresses, determine a second physical address in the storage memory from the second encoded address using offset linear mapping and write second data to the second physical address in the storage memory.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for transmitting a multimedia frame through a heterogeneous network in a broadcast system supporting a multimedia service based on an internet protocol are provided. The method includes generating header information including a frame identifier distinguishing a multimedia frame and information measuring a quality of a connection service between network layers and end-to-end network capabilities, and combining the header information and multimedia data to configure the multimedia frame.

Abstract: A receiving circuit of a communications link comprises: a first data buffer configured to input, under control of a first clock signal, data of a first data stream transmitted by a transmitting circuit, and to generate a credit trigger signal indicating when a data value is read from the first data buffer, wherein data is read from the first data buffer, or from a further data buffer coupled to the output of the first data buffer, under control of a second clock signal; and a credit generation circuit configured to generate, based on the credit trigger signal, a credit signal for transmission to the transmitting circuit under control of the first clock signal, the credit signal indicating that one or more further data values of the first data stream can be transmitted by the transmitting circuit.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention may include a method, computer program product, and system for network attached storage configuration. The embodiment may include receiving a request, from a network storage administrator, to create a network share on a network attached storage for a network server. Based on the received request, sending an operating system identifier probe to the network server to identify an operating system deployed on the network server. The embodiment may include receiving an identification of the operating system deployed on the network server. Based on the identified operating system deployed on the network server, configuring the network share on the network attached storage. Configuring the network share on the network attached storage may include selecting a network protocol filesystem type compatible with the identified operating system deployed on the network server. The embodiment may include testing compatibility between the network share and network server.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for extracting data stream information by an Ethernet switch chip in a low-latency mode. The method includes: setting, by a data feature extraction module, one piece of starting information including feature information and one piece of ending information including a packet length; performing matching, by a data stream feature comparison module, on the feature information, and if the matching succeeds, sending the starting information and the ending information to a module for collecting statistics on data stream information; and combining, by the module for collecting statistics on data stream information, the feature information in the starting information and the packet length in the ending information into one piece of data stream information, and sending the data stream information to a CPU.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems and computer media for monitoring communications networks using cross-correlation of packet flows. One method for monitoring a communications network using cross-correlation of packet flows includes receiving a plurality of packets copied from a communications network. The method further includes classifying the packets into flows. The method further includes, for at least one of the flows, generating a trace value sequence, where the trace value sequence is sequence of values that characterizes the flow according to a cross-correlation metric. The method further includes performing a frequency domain cross-correlation for the at least one flow using the trace value sequence. The method further includes outputting an indication of a network or flow characteristic based on results of the cross-correlation.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a processor configured to create a Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (DASH) media presentation description (MPD), wherein the MPD comprises an AssetIdentifier element associated with a period, wherein the AssetIdentifier element specifies that the period belongs to a certain asset, and wherein the asset is content including media and metadata together with the rights to use the content by a content provider, and a transmitter configured to transmit the MPD. An apparatus comprises a receiver configured to receive a Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (DASH) media presentation description (MPD), wherein the MPD comprises an AssetIdentifier element associated with a period, wherein the AssetIdentifier element specifies that the period belongs to a certain asset, and wherein the asset is content including media and metadata together with the rights to use the content by a content provider, and a processor configured to process the MPD.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention may include a method, computer program product, and system for network attached storage configuration. The embodiment may include receiving a request, from a network storage administrator, to create a network share on a network attached storage for a network server. Based on the received request, sending an operating system identifier probe to the network server to identify an operating system deployed on the network server. The embodiment may include receiving an identification of the operating system deployed on the network server. Based on the identified operating system deployed on the network server, configuring the network share on the network attached storage. Configuring the network share on the network attached storage may include selecting a network protocol filesystem type compatible with the identified operating system deployed on the network server. The embodiment may include testing compatibility between the network share and network server.

Abstract: A method includes, with a computing system, receiving a plurality of packets for transcoding, the plurality of packets comprising a first set of packets having data in a first format and a second set of packets having data in a second format, with the computing system, placing the first set of packets in a first queue, the first queue comprising packets from more than one communication session, with the computing system, placing the second set of packets in a second queue, the second queue having packets from more than one communication session, with the computing system, processing packets of the first queue with a graphics processing unit, and with the computing system, after processing the packets of the first queue with the graphics processing unit, processing packets of the second queue with the graphics processing unit.

Abstract: A circuit for merging streams of data to generate sorted output data is described. The circuit comprises a first input coupled to receive a first data stream having a first set of N values; a second input coupled to receive a second data stream having second set of N values; a routing circuit coupled to the first input and the second input, the routing circuit enabling the routing of the first set of N values of the first data stream and the second set of N values of the second data stream; and a comparator circuit coupled to receive each value of the first set of N values and the second set of N values from the routing circuit, the comparator circuit having N comparators, wherein each comparator of the N comparators is coupled to receive a value of the first set of N values and a value of the second set of N values. A method of merging streams of data is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided, which includes monitor circuitry for monitoring the behaviour of processing circuitry and for generating at least a packet indicating the behaviour. Compare circuitry compares the packet to a base packet and generates a delta packet based on the comparison. Compress circuitry forms a compressed packet on the basis of the delta packet. Output circuitry outputs the compressed packet and update circuitry updates the base packet in dependence on one or more triggers.

Abstract: A described embodiment of the present invention includes a network having a first, second and third plurality of routers connected to a plurality of endpoints. At least one of the first plurality of routers includes a plurality of interposers having a number of queues. The at least one of the first plurality of routers has a demultiplexer for each interposer configured to receive multiplexed data from the interposer and provide demultiplexed data on to a plurality of second queues corresponding to the first queues of the number of queues. The at least one of the first plurality of routers also includes a number multiplexers, each of the number multiplexers having inputs configured to receive data from the number of queues.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, system, and program product are disclosed for command-based storage scenario prediction. A registration module registers a listener to receive notifications associated with a scenario, which comprises a predefined sequence of a plurality of commands. A command module determines an initial scenario sequence comprising a subset of the plurality of commands of the scenario. A monitor module detects execution of commands on a device. A notification module sends a notification to the listener in response to detecting execution of a sequence of commands comprising the initial scenario sequence. The notification includes a hint indicating to the listener to prepare for one or more remaining commands of the scenario.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards generating and managing schedules. In at least one of the various embodiments, these schedules may be configured to schedule team members, rotating which team member is active (“on-call”). In at least one of the various embodiments, these may be employed to determine which resource is responsible to respond and/or resolve incidents that may be reported and/or detected. In at least one of the various embodiments, if a team member is determined to be the on-call or responsible team member, the notification engine may determine the methods for notify the responsible of the incidents. Schedules previews may be updated in real-time as the schedule is edited.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are disclosed for compressing encrypted data, wherein the data is encrypted by using a block encryption algorithm in a chained mode of operation, and the encrypted data is comprised of a set of N encrypted blocks, C1 . . . CN. In one embodiment, the method comprises leaving block CN uncompressed, and compressing all of the blocks C1 . . . CN in a defined sequence using a Slepian-Wolf code. In an embodiment, the data is encrypted using an encryption key K, and the compressing includes compressing all of the blocks C1 . . . CN without using the encryption key. In one embodiment, the compressing includes outputting the blocks C1 . . . CN as a set of compressed blocks CmprC1 . . . CmprCN-1, and the method further comprises decrypting CN to generate a reconstructed block {tilde over (X)}n, and decrypting and decompressing the set of compressed blocks using {tilde over (X)}n.

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus stores therein, in an associated manner, each piece of path information on a plurality of destinations and a use frequency of data communication that is performed by using the path information. When the wireless communication apparatus receives data whose send source is a first destination, the wireless communication apparatus specifies, on the basis of the use frequency, path information that is less frequently used from among the pieces of the stored path information. The wireless communication apparatus updates the specified path information to path information whose destination is the first destination.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a hardware processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to classify a traffic flow into a traffic class based on at least one criteria related to the traffic flow and request that a credit manager remap flow credits corresponding to a first traffic class to flow credits corresponding to a second traffic class. In another embodiment, a method for providing credit-based flow control includes classifying a traffic flow into a traffic class based on at least one criteria related to the traffic flow, the traffic class being selected from a plurality of traffic classes. The method also includes storing an identifier indicating the traffic class of packets of the traffic flow according to a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier in a three bit VLAN tag portion of a header of one or more of the packets.

Abstract: A method of updating a document object model (DOM) is disclosed. A message is received from a web browser requesting for information to update the DOM. A dummy response message is sent to the web browser, wherein the dummy response message does not include the information to update the DOM, and wherein the dummy response message causes the web browser to create a dummy node in the DOM. A request message is received from a client as part of a client-server protocol, wherein the request message requests at least a portion of the information to be sent to the client. A first response message is sent including at least a portion of the information to the client, wherein the first response message is processed by the client to determine a first update to the DOM, and wherein the first update is applied to the DOM.

Abstract: A method of routing data that is part of a grid job including steps of: receiving a data packet at a routing device; determining whether the data packet is identified as part of a grid job; and routing the data packet that is identified as part of a grid job through the Internet to an external node.

Abstract: Techniques for automating configuration and migrating configurations of assets in a storage area network (SAN). For example, a method comprises the following steps. An element representing an event in a project is generated. One or more assets are added to the element. A group within the element including a sub-set of the one or more assets from the element is generated, wherein the one or more assets in the sub-set are to be configured.

Abstract: Embodiments provide bandwidth efficient mechanisms for delivering data to a receiver device via a wireless broadcast network such that data may be assembled in the receiver device for use by a local application. In the various embodiments, data files may be broadcast as content elements via the broadcast network using the FLUTE protocol during a FLUTE session. In an embodiment, the content elements may be broadcast according to a broadcast schedule that may identify a time at which the content elements will be broadcast and the broadcast schedule may be communicated in a file delivery table (FDT) transmitted during a FLUTE session.

Abstract: A method of updating a document object model (DOM) is disclosed. A request by a web browser for information to update the DOM is intercepted by intercepting an interaction with the DOM. The request is converted to a server request as part of a client-server protocol, requesting at least a portion of the information from a server. The server request is sent to the server. A first server response including at least a portion of the information from the server is received. The first server response is processed according to the client-server protocol to determine a first update to the DOM. The first update is applied to the DOM.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling data traffic offload to a WLAN (e.g., a Wi-Fi network) from a WWAN (e.g., a 4G LTE network) are generally disclosed herein. One embodiment includes data traffic offload techniques managed by a Radio Resource Control (RRC) in a networked device including offloading data at the IP, PDCP, RLC, or MAC layers; another embodiment includes data traffic offload techniques managed by a MAC Scheduler with RRC control. Configurations for multimode user equipment (UE) and multimode base stations are also described herein, including configurations for implementing a Multiple Radio Access Technology (Multi-RAT) aggregation function to offload data from a WWAN to a WLAN and transmit the data via the WLAN using a Layer 2 transport.

Abstract: A network includes node devices each storing a table that manages paths to plural gateway devices for connecting to another network. A node device generates a hello frame for specifying a main gateway device of the node device at a predetermined timing, and transmits the hello frame to adjacent node devices. The node device, upon receiving a hello frame from an adjacent node device operating as a first hop destination of a data frame destined for the main gateway device, determines whether quality of a path to the main gateway device is lowest among paths to the plural gateway devices, based on path quality information included in the hello frame. When the quality of a path to the main gateway device is lowest, the node device changes the main gateway device to a gateway device that is registered in the table and specified by information included in the hello frame.

Abstract: Probabilistic arbitration is combined with distance-based weights to achieve equality of service in interconnection networks, such as those used with chip multiprocessors. This arbitration desirably used incorporates nonlinear weights that are assigned to requests. The nonlinear weights incorporate different arbitration weight metrics, namely fixed weight, constantly increasing weight, and variably increasing weight. Probabilistic arbitration for an on-chip router avoids the need for additional buffers or virtual channels, creating a simple, low-cost mechanism for achieving equality of service. The nonlinearly weighted probabilistic arbitration includes additional benefits such as providing quality-of-service features and fairness in terms of both throughput and latency that approaches the global fairness achieved with age-base arbitration. This provides a more stable network by achieving high sustained throughput beyond saturation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for pre-fetching child states in an NFA cell array. A pre-fetch depth value is determined for each transition in an NFA graph. The pre-fetch depth value is accessed for transition from an active state in the NFA graph. The child states of the active state are pre-fetched to the depth of the pre-fetch depth value recursively. A loader loads the pre-fetched states into the NFA cell array.

Abstract: A method for providing a virtualization system includes receiving a plurality of virtualization system requirements from a customer that include a plurality of information handling systems (IHSs), at least one storage, and a plurality of configuration details. A primary IHS and a secondary IHS are designated, and configuration data, an application interface, and a primary IHS operating system are provided on the primary IHS. Following physical connection of the plurality of the IHSs and in response to activation of the primary IHS, a primary IHS first boot process initiates the application interface that then automatically activates the secondary IHS and uses the configuration data to automatically configure the at least one storage. In response to activation of the secondary IHS, a secondary IHS operating system on the secondary IHS initiates a secondary IHS first boot process that automatically configures virtualization software installed on the secondary IHS.

Abstract: A method of updating a document object model (DOM) is disclosed. A request by a web browser for information to update the DOM is intercepted by intercepting an interaction with the DOM. The request is converted to a server request as part of a client-server protocol, requesting at least a portion of the information from a server. The server request is sent to the server. A first server response including at least a portion of the information from the server is received. The first server response is processed according to the client-server protocol to determine a first update to the DOM. The first update is applied to the DOM.

Abstract: A method of updating a document object model (DOM) is disclosed. A message is received from a web browser requesting for information to update the DOM. A dummy response message is sent to the web browser, wherein the dummy response message does not include the information to update the DOM, and wherein the dummy response message causes the web browser to create a dummy node in the DOM. A request message is received from a client as part of a client-server protocol, wherein the request message requests at least a portion of the information to be sent to the client. A first response message is sent including at least a portion of the information to the client, wherein the first response message is processed by the client to determine a first update to the DOM, and wherein the first update is applied to the DOM.

Abstract: A method of managing traffic of packet transport system according to some embodiments of the inventive concept may include calculating an average queue size of input traffic with reference to a link capacity; and differently applying allowable length and probability of disuse with respect to the calculated average queue size according to marking information with respect to packets of the input traffic. The input traffic includes a CCM packet for OAM.

Abstract: Network resources are provisioned within an application broker according to aggregated requests in an optical network. Resource requests are sorted to form sorted resource requests. The sorted resource requests are sorted according to destinations of the resource requests. The sorted resource requests are aggregated to form aggregated resource requests. Resource allocation is requested for each of the aggregated resource requests from a network border controller based on requirements of the set of set of aggregated resource requests. A set of allocated resources is received from the network border controller. The set of allocated resources is based on requirements of the aggregated resource requests. For each of the aggregated resource requests, network transmissions network receptions are executed utilizing associated allocated resources.

Abstract: An arrangement (17) is provided for setting and adjusting at least one parameter in a radio communication network (11), which is used in control of communication in the radio communication network and which is dependent on a round trip time for a signal travelling from a radio network controller (13) to a user equipment (16) and back to the radio network controller. The arrangement comprises a module (17a) for initially estimating a maximum value of the round trip time; a setting module (17b) for initially setting the parameter depending on the initially estimated maximum value of the round trip time; a module (17c) for measuring the round trip time; and a module (17d) for adjusting the parameter depending on the measured round trip time, wherein the measured round trip time is expected to be shorter than the initially estimated maximum value of the round trip time.

Abstract: A data segment of a data packet destined for an egress port of an egress node may be received at a first ingress node. An egress statement vector and an ingress statement vector may be identified at the first ingress node. A determination may be made, based on the egress statement vector and ingress statement vector, whether the first ingress node is authorized to transfer the data segment to the egress port before the other data segments of the data packet are received at the first ingress node. The data segment may be transferred to the egress port before the other data segments of the data packet are received at the first ingress node when the determination indicates the first ingress node is authorized. The data segment may be stored in a buffer of the first ingress node when the determination indicates the first ingress node is not authorized.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a network switch for storing a prefix address and a mask corresponding to the prefix address, the prefix address and the mask each representing a binary value, the mask representing a number of significant bits of an address beginning with a most significant bit. The network switch obtains a network frame via one of a plurality of network interfaces, the network frame comprising a network address in a header of the network frame, the network address being a binary value representing a physical address of a network interface device. The network switch determines a truth value associated with a comparison of a mask number of bits of the prefix and network addresses, the truth value indicating an equivalence of the comparison. In response to the truth value, the network switch may initiate at least one action associated with the network frame.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a sequenced, anonymous communications session in a communications environment is provided in one example that includes receiving, from a first endpoint, an anonymous, sequenced request for a communication session involving a second endpoint. The communication session is sequenced to occur at designated periods provided by the end user(s) and/or an administrator, while maintaining end user(s) anonymity.

Abstract: The invention discloses a user terminal (115) for a wireless communications system (100) which is arranged to establish and carry out a communications session with a gateway node (120) in the system (100) according to a first protocol over at least one bearer (110, 140). The user terminal (115) is arranged to provide a predefined issued message to the gateway node (120) during the establishment of a session with an indicator that the user terminal (115) is arranged to handle traffic to and from the gateway node (120) using a predefined version of a defined filter (130).

Abstract: Significantly optimized multi-stage networks with scheduling methods for faster scheduling of connections, useful in wide target applications, with VLSI layouts using only horizontal and vertical links to route large scale sub-integrated circuit blocks having inlet and outlet links, and laid out in an integrated circuit device in a two-dimensional grid arrangement of blocks are presented. The optimized multi-stage networks in each block employ several slices of rings of stages of switches with inlet and outlet links of sub-integrated circuit blocks connecting to rings from either left-hand side only, or from right-hand side only, or from both left-hand side and right-hand side; and employ multi-drop links where outlet links of cross links from switches in a stage of a ring in one sub-integrated circuit block are connected to either inlet links of switches in the another stage of a ring in the same or another sub-integrated circuit block.

Abstract: A Hybrid Push-to-Talk (PTT) function for use in wireless communications networks, such as cellular mobile telephone networks. The cellular mobile telephone network includes a Real-Time Exchange (RTX) that interfaces to at least one Mobile Switching Center (MSC) in the cellular mobile telephone network to provide instant two-way half-duplex voice messaging within a group of users. In the Hybrid PTT function, first or initial talkbursts or volleys are transmitted by the RTX from an originating mobile to terminating mobiles on pre-established Internet Protocol (IP) sessions between the RTX and the mobiles. In addition, circuit channels are established by the RTX with the mobiles through the MSC in parallel with the first talkburst or volley. Thereafter, second or subsequent talkbursts or volleys are transmitted by the RTX from the originating mobile to the terminating mobiles on the circuit channels.

Abstract: A server-client system or architecture that allows datacast applications to reliably transport data objects from a network server over a unidirectional packet network (“datacast network”) to one or more clients, each of which may be listening to the packet stream at different times. The invention allows the clients to listen intermittently to the datacast, yet still receive all of the data objects published by the server in a timely manner, and in a way that is more optimal in terms of client resource use. This ensures that listening clients can receive a complete set of the data objects broadcast while being able to conserve client processing and power resources by not requiring continuous listening by the client to the datacast.

Abstract: A method of packet processing, includes: providing a plurality of network appliances that form a cluster, wherein two or more of the plurality of network appliances in the cluster are located at different geographical locations, are communicatively coupled via a private network or an Internet, and are configured to collectively perform out-of-band packet processing; receiving a packet by one of the network appliances in the cluster; processing the packet using two or more of the plurality of the appliances in the cluster; and passing the packet to one or more network monitoring tools after the packet is processed.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for a first network controller located at a first physical domain that manages a logical network spanning several physical domains including the first domain. The method stores a set of context identifiers for assignment to logical entities. The context identifiers are for use in packets sent between managed forwarding elements in order to store logical network information in the packets. While connected to a master controller for the logical network at a second physical domain of the several physical domains, the method forwards state input requiring assignment of context identifiers to the master controller. While connectivity is lost with the master controller, the method assigns context identifiers from the stored set of context identifiers to logical entities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the management of communications related to telecommunications-based devices are provided. Gateway computing devices corresponding to a radio communication network can modify the static provisioning of communication network access gateway to telecommunications-based devices accessing the wireless communication network. The modification of the static provisioning of gateway devices is based on subscription information associated with the requesting telecommunications-based device or based on general network policies that can be dynamically updated.

Abstract: The invention provides a master MMC/SD apparatus for simultaneously supporting bulk storage and Ethernet communication, a slave MMC/SD apparatus for simultaneously supporting bulk storage and Ethernet communication, a system composed of these two apparatuses as well as a method of operating the system. The apparatuses, system and method which simultaneously support bulk storage and Ethernet communication and which are based on MMC/SD interface enable a master apparatus with MMC/SD interface to support network function while maintaining bulk storage function as well, thus greatly expanding applicable areas of such embedded terminal apparatus with the MMC/SD interface that has bulk storage function.

Abstract: IMS technology can allow service providers to share services with each other over different IMS networks. A SCIM can operate with ISC and COPS interfaces to communicate with another similarly situated SCIM to monitor and query information from applications servers operating in IMS networks. When a mobile phone from a home IMS network roams in a visited IMS network, the mobile phone can access features through a tunnel back to the home IMS network while operating in the visited IMS network. The mobile may also access features in the visited IMS network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a message associated with a device in a first domain. An identifier is determined for the device. The message is then sent to a load balancer where the message includes the identifier. The load balancer is then configured to send the message to a network device in a plurality of network devices. The network device is configured to process messages from the device. A second message may be received at the load balancer from a second domain. The second message may include the identifier for the device. The load balancer may then send the second message to the selected network device such that the first message and the second message are processed by the same network device.

Abstract: A mobile device configured to communicate with one or more various enterprise services and Internet services. Such services include such features as e-mail, calendar, and personal information management (PIM). The mobile device is configured to maintain a distinction between each of these services by having a number of databases, each database dedicated to a specific service. To facilitate this distinction, a service identifier is generated with respect to each database. When a service is removed, the mobile device no longer has access to the service. In such an instance, the mobile device is configured to maintain the associated database and the service identifier. Should a removed service become reactivated for the mobile device, the maintained database will become re-associated with the proper service by using the service identifier.

Abstract: Subsets of isolated communications networks are selectively merged without merging the entire isolated communications networks, and devices are imported across isolated communications networks without merging the isolated communications networks. The presently disclosed technology provides for improved scalability, performance, and security in logical networks spanning two or more physical communications networks.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a first network, a second network, and a core network connecting the first network to the second network. The first network includes a first set of two or more network devices, wherein the first network has a first spanning tree associated therewith. Similarly, the second network includes a second set of two or more network devices, wherein the second network has a second spanning tree associated therewith, wherein the second spanning tree is separate from the first spanning tree.

Abstract: A simple means is used to realize a virtual network communication via an home network and Internet. A relay device 4 comprises bridge module 12 provided between a network protocol stack 13 and each of network devices 10, 11 for bridging for packets which are not addressed to the relay device or VLAN, or not broadcast request packets; a server address storage section 17 for storing the global address of a server; a tunneling session establishing section 20 for establishing a tunneling connection with the server based on the global address; a capsulating processing section 21 for capsulating a originating address and sending it to the server via the tunneling connection; and a virtual IP address/private IP address conversion section 22 for decapsulating a packet addressed to the relay device, converting a destination virtual network address included in this packet to a private IP address on the LAN of a client apparatus, and sending it onto the LAN via the bridge module.

Abstract: A switch, switched architecture and process for transferring data through an FCAL switch is disclosed. The switch uses multiple switch control circuits each coupled to one FCAL network and all connected to a crossbar switch. The switch control circuits are coupled together by a protocol bus for coordination purposes. Local conversations can occur on each FCAL loop and crossing conversations through the switch can occur concurrently. The OPN primitive is used to establish the connection before any data is transferred thereby eliminating the need for buffer memory in the switch control circuits. The destination address of each OPN is used to address a lookup table in each switch control circuit to determine if the destination node is local. If not, the destination is looked up and a connection request made on the protocol bus. If the remote port is not busy, it sends a reply which causes both ports to establish a data path through the backplane crossbar switch.