Zone based quality of service in a fibre channel fabric
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsSubrata Banerjee, Shankar Ramanathan, Sriharsha Jayanarayana
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for improving the configuration, management, and distribution of quality of service information in a fibre channel fabric using zoning mechanisms. Configuration of Quality of Service (QoS) information is made easy by using zones as a classifier for flows. QoS information is included in zone objects, thereby using the existing zone distribution mechanism to distribute QoS information. Devices not part of any zones are placed automatically in the default zone with a default QoS priority level. QoS information for a particular packet is available as soon as the zoning information is obtained.
Claims25
A method for managing quality of service (QoS) information in a fibre channel fabric, the method comprising:
- identifying a first plurality of devices in a first zone in the fibre channel fabric;
- assigning a first quality of service level to the first zone, wherein assigning the first quality of service level to the first zone comprises assigning the first quality of service level to communications between the first plurality of devices;
- identifying a second plurality of devices in a second zone in the fibre channel fabric;
- and
- assigning a second quality of service level to the second zone, wherein assigning the second quality of service level to the second zone comprises assigning the second quality of service level to communications between the second plurality of devices.
A system for managing quality of service (QoS) information in a fibre channel fabric, the system comprising:
- memory;
- a processor coupled to the interface and memory, the processor configured to identify a first plurality of devices in a first zone in the fibre channel fabric and assign a first quality of service level to the first zone, wherein assigning the first quality of service level to the first zone comprises assigning the first quality of service level to communications between the first plurality of devices;
- and
- an interface coupled to the processor, the interface configured to distribute zone information along with quality of service information in the fibre channel fabric.
A device for managing quality of service (QoS) information in a fibre channel fabric, the device comprising:
- means for identifying a first plurality of devices in a first zone in the fibre channel fabric;
- means for assigning a first quality of service level to the first zone, wherein assigning the first quality of service level to the first zone comprises assigning the first quality of service level to communications between the first plurality of devices;
- means for identifying a second plurality of devices in a second zone in the fibre channel fabric;
- and
- means for assigning a second quality of service level to the second zone, wherein assigning the second quality of service level to the second zone comprises assigning the second quality of service level to communications between the second plurality of devices.
A computer readable medium comprising computer code for managing quality of service (QoS) information in a fibre channel fabric, the computer readable medium comprising:
- computer code for identifying a first plurality of devices in a first zone in the fibre channel fabric;
- computer code for assigning a first quality of service level to the first zone, wherein assigning the first quality of service level to the first zone comprises assigning the first quality of service level to communications between the first plurality of devices;
- computer code for identifying a second plurality of devices in a second zone in the fibre channel fabric;
- and
- computer code for assigning a second quality of service level to the second zone, wherein assigning the second quality of service level to the second zone comprises assigning the second quality of service level to communications between the second plurality of devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.