Methods and apparatus for encapsulating a frame for transmission in a storage area network

A computer-readable medium storing thereon computer-readable instructions for performing a method on a network device in a storage area network, comprising:

• instructions for receiving or generating a packet or frame compatible with a standard protocol employed in the storage area network;
• instructions for encapsulating the packet or frame with a virtual storage area network identifier and information specifying at least one of a TTL value and MPLS information;
• and
• instructions for sending the encapsulated packet or frame.

A network device for use in a storage area network, the network device comprising:

• means for transmitting and/or receive packets or frames compatible with one or more standard protocols employed in the storage area network;
• and
• means for encapsulating packets or frames of at least one of the standard protocols to include a virtual storage area network identifier and information specifying at least one of a TTL value and MPLS information;
• and
• means for delivering the resulting encapsulated packet or frames for transmission over the storage area network.

A method implemented on a network device for use in a storage area network, the method comprising:

• receiving or generating a packet or frame compatible with a standard protocol employed in the storage area network;
• encapsulating the packet or frame with a virtual storage area network identifier and information specifying a type of traffic to be carried by the packet or frame, wherein the available types include at least one of Ethernet, fibre channel, and Infiniband;
• and
• sending the encapsulated packet or frame.

A computer-readable medium storing thereon computer-readable instructions for performing a method on a network device in a storage area network, comprising:

• instructions for receiving or generating a packet or frame compatible with a standard protocol employed in the storage area network;
• instructions for encapsulating the packet or frame with a virtual storage area network identifier and information specifying a type of traffic to be carried by the packet or frame, wherein the available types include at least one of Ethernet, fibre channel, and Infiniband;
• and
• instructions for sending the encapsulated packet or frame.

A method implemented on a switch for use in a fibre channel network, the method comprising:

• receiving or generating a fibre channel packet or frame;
• encapsulating said fibre channel packet or frame with a TTL value;
• and
• sending the encapsulated packet or frame over an inter-switch link in the fibre channel network.

A computer-readable medium storing thereon computer-readable instructions for performing a method on a switch for use in a fibre channel network, comprising:

• instructions for receiving or generating a fibre channel packet or frame;
• instructions for encapsulating said fibre channel packet or frame with a TTL value;
• and
• instructions for sending the encapsulated packet or frame over an inter-switch link in the fibre channel network.