System and method for implementing LAN within shared I/O subsystem
AssigneeQLOGIC, Corporation
InventorTodd Rimmer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shared I/O subsystem for providing network protocol management for a plurality of computer systems. The shared I/O subsystem includes a plurality of I/O interfaces where each of the I/O interfaces operatively couples one of the computer systems to the shared I/O subsystem. The shared I/O subsystem also includes an I/O management link that operatively interconnects the I/O interfaces, and a link layer switch that communicatively couples to each of the I/O interfaces. The link layer switch receives a data packet from one of the I/O interfaces and directs the data packet to one or more of the other ones of the I/O interfaces. The I/O interfaces may form a local area network within the shared I/O subsystem.
Claims14
A shared I/O subsystem for providing network protocol management for a plurality of computer systems comprising:
- a plurality of I/O interfaces, each of the I/O interfaces operatively coupling one of the computer systems to the shared I/O subsystem;
- an I/O management link operatively interconnecting the I/O interfaces;
- and
- a link layer switch communicatively coupled to each of the I/O interfaces, the link layer switch receives a data packet from one of the I/O interfaces and directs the data packet to one or more of the other ones of the I/O interfaces;
- wherein the I/O interfaces form a local area network within the shared I/O subsystem.
In a shared I/O subsystem for providing network protocol management for a plurality of computer systems, the shared I/O subsystem having a plurality of I/O interfaces, an I/O management link, and a link layer switch, a method comprising:
- operatively coupling each of the I/O interfaces to one of the computer systems;
- operatively interconnecting, with the I/O management link, the I/O interfaces;
- and
- communicatively coupling the link layer switch to each of the I/O interfaces, the link layer switch receiving a data packet from one of the I/O interfaces and directing the data packet to one or more of the other ones of the I/O interfaces interconnected, wherein the I/O interfaces form a local area network within the shared I/O subsystem.
A shared I/O subsystem for providing network protocol management for a plurality of computer systems, the shared I/O subsystem having a plurality of I/O interfaces, an I/O management link, and a link layer switch, comprising:
- means for operatively coupling each of the I/O interfaces to one of the computer systems;
- means for operatively interconnecting, with the I/O management link, the I/O interfaces;
- and
- means for communicatively coupling the link layer switch to each of the I/O interfaces, the link layer switch receiving a data packet from one of the I/O interfaces and directing the data packet to one or more of the other ones of the I/O interfaces interconnected, wherein the I/O interfaces form a local area network within the shared I/O subsystem.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.