Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090132550 | IMPLEMENTING SERVICE REQUESTS FROM A COMMON DATABASE IN A MULTIPLE DHCP SERVER ENVIRONMENT - A method and apparatus are provided for implementing service requests from a common database in a multiple dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server environment. A DHCP authorization cache is provided to implement synchronized access for the multiple DHCP servers to the common database. The DHCP authorization cache includes a plurality of elements, each element for storing a plurality of entries including a client identifier, an ISCSI DHCP router pointer, an ISCSI DHCP router pointer alternate, and a timestamp and the DHCP authorization cache includes an entry pointer initially set to zero. | 05-21-2009 |
20090138608 | Automatic Multipath iSCSI Session Establishment Over an Arbitrary Network Topology - A method and apparatus for establishing multiple network sessions over an arbitrary network topology comprises receiving network configuration information describing an initiator system and a target controller. The initiator system contains one or more initiator ports. The target controller contains one or more target ports. Each target port is associated with one or more target nodes. A set of pre-defined rules is identified. The set of pre-defined rules governs the establishment of network sessions between the initiator ports and the target nodes through the target ports. One or more network sessions are established based on the set of pre-defined rules and the network configuration information. | 05-28-2009 |
20110258340 | Distributed Virtual Bridge Management - Systems and methods to forward data frames are described. A particular method may include receiving a data frame at a switch of a plurality of networked switches coupled to a plurality of server computers. The data frame may be forwarded from a controlling bridge coupled to the plurality of networked switches. The data frame may be determined to include management data, and an operating parameter of the switch may be modified. | 10-20-2011 |
20110258641 | Remote Adapter Configuration - Systems and methods to remotely configure adapters are described. A particular method may include generating a management frame at a controlling bridge. The management frame may include instructions to configure an operating parameter of the adapter. The management frame may be communicated to a bridge element of a plurality of interconnected bridge elements in communication with the controlling bridge. The bridge element may be coupled to the adapter, and the operating parameter of the adapter may be configured. | 10-20-2011 |
20110261815 | Multicasting Using a Multitiered Distributed Virtual Bridge Hierarchy - Systems and methods to multicast data frames are provided. A particular apparatus includes a plurality of computing nodes and a distributed virtual bridge. The distributed virtual bridge includes a plurality of bridge elements coupled to the plurality of computing nodes. The plurality of bridge elements are configured to forward a copy of a multicast data frame to the plurality of computing nodes using group member information associated with addresses of the plurality of server computers. A controlling bridge coupled to the plurality of bridge elements is configured to communicate the group member information to the plurality of bridge elements. | 10-27-2011 |
20110261826 | Forwarding Data Frames With a Distributed Fiber Channel Forwarder - Systems and methods to forward data frames are described. A particular method may include associating a fiber channel forwarder with a bridge element. The fiber channel forwarder may be one of a plurality of fiber channel forwarders coupled to the bridge element. A data frame received at the bridge element may be forwarded to the fiber channel forwarder. | 10-27-2011 |
20110261827 | Distributed Link Aggregation - Systems and methods to forward data frames are described. A particular method may include generating a plurality of management frames at a controlling bridge. The management frames may include routing information. The plurality of management frames may be communicated to a plurality of bridge elements coupled to a plurality of server computers. The plurality of bridge elements are each configured to selectively forward a plurality of data frames according to the routing information. | 10-27-2011 |
20110262134 | Hardware Accelerated Data Frame Forwarding - Systems and methods to forward data frames are described. A particular method may include evaluating header data of a data frame at a bridge element, where the header data includes address data that corresponds to a Fiber Channel Forwarder in communication with the bridge element. Based upon the evaluation, the header data of the data frame may be modified at the bridge element in such a manner that the data frame is not routed through the Fiber Channel Forwarder. | 10-27-2011 |
20110264610 | Address Data Learning and Registration Within a Distributed Virtual Bridge - Systems and methods to forward data frames are provided. A particular apparatus may include a plurality of server computers and a distributed virtual bridge. The distributed virtual bridge may include a plurality of bridge elements coupled to the plurality of server computers and configured to forward a data frame between the plurality of server computers. The plurality of bridge elements may further be configured to automatically learn address data associated with the data frame. A controlling bridge may be coupled to the plurality of bridge elements. The controlling bridge may include a global forwarding table that is automatically updated to include the address data and is accessible to the plurality of bridge elements. | 10-27-2011 |
20120230334 | MESSAGE FORWARDING TOWARD A SOURCE END NODE IN A CONVERGED NETWORK ENVIRONMENT - A network node that forwards traffic of a converged network received from a source end node receives a second message addressed to the network node, but intended for the source end node. The second message includes at least a portion of a first message originated by the source end node and previously forwarded by the network node. The network node extracts from the first message a source identifier of the source end node in a first communication protocol and determines by reference to a data structure a destination address of the second message in a second communication protocol. The network node modifies the second message to include the destination address and forwards the second message toward the source end node in accordance with the destination address. | 09-13-2012 |
20120230340 | MESSAGE FORWARDING TOWARD A SOURCE END NODE IN A CONVERGED NETWORK ENVIRONMENT - A network node that forwards traffic of a converged network received from a source end node receives a second message addressed to the network node, but intended for the source end node. The second message includes at least a portion of a first message originated by the source end node and previously forwarded by the network node. The network node extracts from the first message a source identifier of the source end node in a first communication protocol and determines by reference to a data structure a destination address of the second message in a second communication protocol. The network node modifies the second message to include the destination address and forwards the second message toward the source end node in accordance with the destination address. | 09-13-2012 |
20130124770 | Configuring Expansion Component Interconnect ('ECI') Physical Functions On An ECI Device In A Computing System - Configuring expansion component interconnect (‘ECI’) physical functions on an ECI device in a computing system, including: configuring by an ECI device configuration manager, during run-time of the computing system, vital product data to include an ECI physical function configuration, wherein the ECI physical function configuration comprises data describing a type of ECI physical function; retrieving by an ECI device configuration manager, upon a subsequent startup of the computing system, the ECI physical function configuration from the vital product data; and configuring, by an ECI device configuration manager, a physical function of the ECI device to carry out the type of ECI physical function described in the ECI physical function configuration. | 05-16-2013 |
20130142196 | DISTRIBUTING FUNCTIONS IN A DISTRIBUTED AND EMBEDDED ENVIRONMENT - 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. | 06-06-2013 |
20130142202 | DISTRIBUTING FUNCTIONS IN A DISTRIBUTED AND EMBEDDED ENVIRONMENT - 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. | 06-06-2013 |
20130182706 | REQUESTING MULTICAST MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION IN A DISTRIBUTED SWITCH IN RESPONSE TO A MISS EVENT - Apparatuses and methods to request multicast membership information in a distributed switch are provided. A particular method may include requesting multicast membership information of a group identified by a multicast destination address in a distributed switch. The distributed switch may include a plurality of distributed switch elements with a plurality of switch forwarding units. The method may generate a miss event indicating that the multicast destination address is unregistered in a switch forwarding unit of a distributed switch element and there is a need for the multicast membership information. The method may also request the multicast membership information of the multicast destination address in response to the miss event. The method may further initiate a query for the multicast membership information of the multicast destination address in response to the request. | 07-18-2013 |
20130182707 | MANAGING A GLOBAL FORWARDING TABLE IN A DISTRIBUTED SWITCH - Apparatuses and methods to manage a global forwarding table in a distributed switch are provided. A particular method may include managing a global forwarding table in a distributed switch. The distributed switch may include a plurality of switch forwarding units. The method may start a timer for an entry in the global forwarding table, and the entry may include a multicast destination address and corresponding multicast membership information. The method may also, in response to expiration of the timer of the entry, check at least one hit status to determine whether at least one switch forwarding unit of the plurality of switch forwarding units has forwarded multicast data to the corresponding multicast membership information of the multicast destination address of the entry. The method may further determine whether the entry is a cast-out candidate based on the hit status. | 07-18-2013 |
20130188637 | MULTICAST MISS NOTIFICATION FOR A DISTRIBUTED NETWORK SWITCH - Techniques are provided for multicast miss notification for a distributed network switch. In one embodiment, a bridge element in the distributed network switch receives a frame destined for a multicast group on a network. If a local multicast forwarding table of the bridge element does not include any forwarding entry for the multicast group, a forwarding entry is selected from the local multicast forwarding table as a candidate for being replaced. An indication of the candidate is sent to a management controller in the distributed network switch. | 07-25-2013 |
20130188640 | MULTICAST MISS NOTIFICATION FOR A DISTRIBUTED NETWORK SWITCH - Techniques are provided for multicast miss notification for a distributed network switch. In one embodiment, a bridge element in the distributed network switch receives a frame destined for a multicast group on a network. If a local multicast forwarding table of the bridge element does not include any forwarding entry for the multicast group, a forwarding entry is selected from the local multicast forwarding table as a candidate for being replaced. An indication of the candidate is sent to a management controller in the distributed network switch. | 07-25-2013 |
20130208721 | PACKET ROUTING WITH ANALYSIS ASSIST FOR EMBEDDED APPLICATIONS SHARING A SINGLE NETWORK INTERFACE OVER MULTIPLE VIRTUAL NETWORKS - Techniques are provided for packet routing in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch includes multiple switch modules operatively connected to one another, and each switch module includes multiple bridge elements and a management controller. In one embodiment, a shared interface routing (SIR) framework is provided that includes an analysis and bifurcation layer, at least one packet interface, and an analysis assist layer. A packet is received over a first logical network and via a physical port, the packet being destined for at least a first application executing on the management controller. The analysis assist layer analyzes the packet to determine a reason code to assign to the packet. The analysis and bifurcation layer then analyzes the packet based at least in part on the reason code. | 08-15-2013 |
20130208722 | PACKET ROUTING WITH ANALYSIS ASSIST FOR EMBEDDED APPLICATIONS SHARING A SINGLE NETWORK INTERFACE OVER MULTIPLE VIRTUAL NETWORKS - Techniques are provided for packet routing in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch includes multiple switch modules operatively connected to one another, and each switch module includes multiple bridge elements and a management controller. In one embodiment, a shared interface routing (SIR) framework is provided that includes an analysis and bifurcation layer, at least one packet interface, and an analysis assist layer. A packet is received over a first logical network and via a physical port, the packet being destined for at least a first application executing on the management controller. The analysis assist layer analyzes the packet to determine a reason code to assign to the packet. The analysis and bifurcation layer then analyzes the packet based at least in part on the reason code. | 08-15-2013 |
20130208726 | PACKET ROUTING FOR EMBEDDED APPLICATIONS SHARING A SINGLE NETWORK INTERFACE OVER MULTIPLE VIRTUAL NETWORKS - Techniques are provided for packet routing in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch includes multiple switch modules operatively connected to one another, and each switch module includes multiple bridge elements and a management controller. In one embodiment, a shared interface routing (SIR) framework is provided that includes an analysis and bifurcation layer and at least one packet interface. A packet is received over a first logical network and via a physical port, the packet being destined for at least a first application executing on the management controller. The analysis and bifurcation layer analyzes the packet and sends the packet to the packet interface, which then routes the packet to the first application. | 08-15-2013 |
20130208728 | PACKET ROUTING FOR EMBEDDED APPLICATIONS SHARING A SINGLE NETWORK INTERFACE OVER MULTIPLE VIRTUAL NETWORKS - Techniques are provided for packet routing in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch includes multiple switch modules operatively connected to one another, and each switch module includes multiple bridge elements and a management controller. In one embodiment, a shared interface routing (SIR) framework is provided that includes an analysis and bifurcation layer and at least one packet interface. A packet is received over a first logical network and via a physical port, the packet being destined for at least a first application executing on the management controller. The analysis and bifurcation layer analyzes the packet and sends the packet to the packet interface, which then routes the packet to the first application. | 08-15-2013 |
20140079061 | FACILITATING INSERTION OF DEVICE MAC ADDRESSES INTO A FORWARDING DATABASE - Techniques are disclosed for hash-based routing table management in a distributed network switch having multiple switch modules. Upon determining that an attempt to insert a first routing entry into a first hash table of the routing table has failed, a second routing entry, which exists in the first hash table, is attempted to be moved to a second hash table of the routing table. If the move attempt is successful, then the first routing entry is added to the location previously occupied by the second routing entry. If the move attempt is unsuccessful, then a third routing entry, which exists in the first hash table, is attempted to be moved. | 03-20-2014 |
20140079064 | FACILITATING INSERTION OF DEVICE MAC ADDRESSES INTO A FORWARDING DATABASE - Techniques are disclosed for hash-based routing table management in a distributed network switch having multiple switch modules. Upon determining that an attempt to insert a first routing entry into a first hash table of the routing table has failed, a second routing entry, which exists in the first hash table, is attempted to be moved to a second hash table of the routing table. If the move attempt is successful, then the first routing entry is added to the location previously occupied by the second routing entry. If the move attempt is unsuccessful, then a third routing entry, which exists in the first hash table, is attempted to be moved. | 03-20-2014 |
20140146823 | MANAGEMENT OF ROUTING TABLES SHARED BY LOGICAL SWITCH PARTITIONS IN A DISTRIBUTED NETWORK SWITCH - Techniques are provided for managing a routing table in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch is divided into logical switch partitions, or logical networks, that may share a routing table. The shared routing table is configured with counters and thresholds to control utilization of the routing table on a per-logical network basis. When counters exceed certain threshold, the routing table is modified to reduce routing entries within the routing table or pause insertion of new routing entries. | 05-29-2014 |
20140146824 | MANAGEMENT OF ROUTING TABLES SHARED BY LOGICAL SWITCH PARTITIONS IN A DISTRIBUTED NETWORK SWITCH - Techniques are provided for managing a routing table in a distributed network switch. The distributed network switch is divided into logical switch partitions, or logical networks, that may share a routing table. The shared routing table is configured with counters and thresholds to control utilization of the routing table on a per-logical network basis. When counters exceed certain threshold, the routing table is modified to reduce routing entries within the routing table or pause insertion of new routing entries. | 05-29-2014 |
20140198668 | DATA LINK LAYER SWITCH FRAME FORWARDING ANALYSIS - 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. | 07-17-2014 |
20140269273 | METRICS AND FORWARDING ACTIONS ON LOGICAL SWITCH PARTITIONS IN A DISTRIBUTED NETWORK SWITCH - 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. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269290 | Metrics and Forwarding Actions on Logical Switch Partitions in a Distributed Network Switch - 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. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269685 | SYSTEM GUIDED SURROGATING CONTROL IN BROADCAST AND MULTICAST - 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. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269742 | SYSTEM GUIDED SURROGATING CONTROL IN BROADCAST AND MULTICAST - 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. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269756 | PORT MEMBERSHIP TABLE PARTITIONING - 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. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280826 | PORT MEMBERSHIP TABLE PARTITIONING - 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. | 09-18-2014 |
20150207662 | NETWORK CONTROL SOFTWARE NOTIFICATION WITH ADVANCE LEARNING - Techniques are disclosed for notifying network control software of new and moved source MAC addresses. In one embodiment, a switch detects packets sent by a new or migrated virtual machine, and sends a copy of a detected packet to the network control software as a notification. The switch further learns the source MAC address, thereby permitting the entry to be used for normal forwarding prior to validation of the entry and the VM associated therewith by the network control software. Until the network control software has validated the VM, the switch may periodically retry the notification to the network control software. “No_Redirect” and “Not_Validated” flags may be used to indicate whether a notification has already been attempted and thus no retry is necessary, and that the VM associated with the VM has not yet been validated, respectively. | 07-23-2015 |
20150207663 | NETWORK CONTROL SOFTWARE NOTIFICATION AND INVALIDATION OF STATIC ENTRIES - Techniques are disclosed for notifying network control software of new and moved source MAC addresses. In one embodiment, a switch may redirect a packet sent by a new or migrated virtual machine to the network control software as a notification. The switch does not forward the packet, thereby protecting against denial of service attacks. The switch further adds to a forwarding database a temporary entry which includes a “No_Redirect” flag for a new source MAC address, or updates an existing entry for a source MAC address that hits in the forwarding database by setting the “No_Redirect” flag. The “No_Redirect” flag indicates whether a notification has already been sent to the network control software for this source MAC address. The switch may periodically retry the notification to the network control software, until the network control software validates the source MAC address, depending on whether the “No_Redirect” is set. | 07-23-2015 |
20150207664 | NETWORK CONTROL SOFTWARE NOTIFICATION WITH DENIAL OF SERVICE PROTECTION - Techniques are disclosed for notifying network control software of new and moved source MAC addresses. In one embodiment, a switch may redirect a packet sent by a new or migrated virtual machine to the network control software as a notification. The switch does not forward the packet, thereby protecting against denial of service attacks. The switch further adds to a forwarding database a temporary entry which includes a “No_Redirect” flag for a new source MAC address, or updates an existing entry for a source MAC address that hits in the forwarding database by setting the “No_Redirect” flag. The “No_Redirect” flag indicates whether a notification has already been sent to the network control software for this source MAC address. The switch may periodically retry the notification to the network control software, until the network control software validates the source MAC address, depending on whether the “No_Redirect” is set. | 07-23-2015 |
20150207665 | NETWORK CONTROL SOFTWARE NOTIFICATION WITH DENIAL OF SERVICE PROTECTION - Techniques are disclosed for notifying network control software of new and moved source MAC addresses. In one embodiment, a switch may redirect a packet sent by a new or migrated virtual machine to the network control software as a notification. The switch does not forward the packet, thereby protecting against denial of service attacks. The switch further adds to a forwarding database a temporary entry which includes a “No_Redirect” flag for a new source MAC address, or updates an existing entry for a source MAC address that hits in the forwarding database by setting the “No_Redirect” flag. The “No_Redirect” flag indicates whether a notification has already been sent to the network control software for this source MAC address. The switch may periodically retry the notification to the network control software, until the network control software validates the source MAC address, depending on whether the “No_Redirect” is set. | 07-23-2015 |
20150207666 | NETWORK CONTROL SOFTWARE NOTIFICATION AND INVALIDATION OF STATIC ENTRIES - Techniques are disclosed for notifying network control software of new and moved source MAC addresses. In one embodiment, a switch may redirect a packet sent by a new or migrated virtual machine to the network control software as a notification. The switch does not forward the packet, thereby protecting against denial of service attacks. The switch further adds to a forwarding database a temporary entry which includes a “No_Redirect” flag for a new source MAC address, or updates an existing entry for a source MAC address that hits in the forwarding database by setting the “No_Redirect” flag. The “No_Redirect” flag indicates whether a notification has already been sent to the network control software for this source MAC address. The switch may periodically retry the notification to the network control software, until the network control software validates the source MAC address, depending on whether the “No_Redirect” is set. | 07-23-2015 |
20150207667 | NETWORK CONTROL SOFTWARE NOTIFICATION WITH ADVANCE LEARNING - Techniques are disclosed for notifying network control software of new and moved source MAC addresses. In one embodiment, a switch detects packets sent by a new or migrated virtual machine, and sends a copy of a detected packet to the network control software as a notification. The switch further learns the source MAC address, thereby permitting the entry to be used for normal forwarding prior to validation of the entry and the VM associated therewith by the network control software. Until the network control software has validated the VM, the switch may periodically retry the notification to the network control software. “No_Redirect” and “Not_Validated” flags may be used to indicate whether a notification has already been attempted and thus no retry is necessary, and that the VM associated with the VM has not yet been validated, respectively. | 07-23-2015 |
20150207722 | SMART DUMPING OF NETWORK SWITCH FORWARDING DATABASE - Techniques are provided for retrieving entries from a routing table or a forwarding database in a distributed network switch. The forwarding database includes match and mask registers used to compare routing entries and return matching routing entries to a requesting management controller. The forwarding database uses a separate timeout value associated with the forwarding database to avoid timeout errors for general register operations, and allows for an asynchronous dump operation of routing entries. | 07-23-2015 |
20150207723 | SMART DUMPING OF NETWORK SWITCH FORWARDING DATABASE - Techniques are provided for retrieving entries from a routing table or a forwarding database in a distributed network switch. The forwarding database includes match and mask registers used to compare routing entries and return matching routing entries to a requesting management controller. The forwarding database uses a separate timeout value associated with the forwarding database to avoid timeout errors for general register operations, and allows for an asynchronous dump operation of routing entries. | 07-23-2015 |