Option request protocol
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsJonathan Rosen, Dean Hiller, Robert O'Gorman, Mark C. Drummond
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An option request protocol allows dynamic negotiation of options between a host computer and a control unit of a computer network. The protocol is manifested as an exchange of novel control messages over a control link used to establish logical data links for communication between the host and control unit. The options negotiated by the control message exchange generally pertain to additional functions performed by the control unit or host, or additional parameters for communication over the data links coupling the control unit and host.
Claims35
Computer-readable memory comprising computer program instructions that when executed cause dynamic negotiation of an option between nodes of a computer network, the nodes being interconnected by control and data links of a channel, the program instructions comprising instructions for causing:
- creation of an option request message at an option requester node, the option request message comprising a header containing a command field whose contents identify the option request message and a body including (i) an option name field whose contents specify a name of the requested option and (ii) an option-specific parameter field containing any parameters specific to the requested option;
- transmission of the option request message from the option requester node to an option responder node over the control link of the channel to initiate negotiation of an option pertaining to one of a function performed by the option responder node and a parameter for communication between the option requester node and option responder node over the data link of the channel;
- creation of an option request response message at the option responder node in response to receipt of the option request message, the option request response message comprising (1) a header containing (i) a command field whose contents identify the option request response message and (ii) a return field containing a return code, and (2) a body including (i) an option name field and (ii) an option-specific parameter field containing any parameters specific to the response;
- and
- transmission of the option request response message from the option responder node to the option requester node over the control link, the option request response message indicating that the requested option is one of accepted and rejected by the option responder node.
A method for dynamically negotiating an option between nodes of a computer network using an option request protocol, the nodes being interconnected by control and data links of a channel, the method comprising:
- creating at an option requester an option request message comprising a body having an option name field whose contents specify a name of the requested option and an option-specific parameter field containing any parameters specific to the requested option;
- and
- transmitting the option request message from the option requester to an option responder over the control link of the channel to initiate negotiation of an option pertaining to one of a function performed by the option responder and a parameter for communication between the option responder over the data link of the channel.
A method for dynamically negotiating an option between nodes of a computer network using an option request protocol, the nodes being interconnected by control and data links of a channel, the method comprising:
- creating at an option responder an option request response message comprising a body including an option name field and an option-specific parameter field containing any parameters specific to the response;
- and
- transmitting the option request response message from the option responder to an option requester over the control link to indicate that a requested option is one of accepted and rejected by the option responder.
Computer-readable memory comprising computer program instructions that when executed cause dynamic negotiation of an option between nodes of a computer network using an option request protocol, the nodes being interconnected by control and data links of a channel, the program instructions comprising instruction for causing:
- creation at an option requester of an option request message comprising a body having an option name field whose contents specify a name of the requested option and an option-specific parameter field containing any parameters specific to the requested option;
- and
- transmission of the option request message from the option requester to an option responder over the control link of the channel to initiate negotiation of an option pertaining to one of a function performed by the option responder and a parameter for communication between the option requester and option responder over the data link of the channel.
Computer-readable memory comprising computer program instructions that when executed cause dynamic negotiation of an option between nodes of a computer network using an option request protocol, the nodes being interconnected by control and data links of a channel, the program instructions comprising instructions for causing:
- creation at an option responder of an option request response message comprising a body including an option name field and an option-specific parameter field containing any parameters specific to the response;
- and
- transmission of the option request response message from the option responder to an option requester over the control link to indicate that a requested option is one of accepted and rejected by the option responder.
A method for dynamically negotiating an option between nodes of a computer network using an option request protocol, the nodes being interconnected by control and data links of a channel, the method comprising:
- adding at a CLAW message generator new control fields to a CLAW message;
- creating at an option requester an option request message comprising a body of said new control fields having an option name field whose contents specify a name of the requested option and an option-specific parameter field containing any parameters specific to the requested option;
- and
- transmitting the option request message from the option requester to an option responder over the control link of the channel to initiate negotiation of an option pertaining to one of a function performed by the option responder and a parameter for communication between the option responder over the data link of the channel.
A method for dynamically negotiating an option between nodes of a computer network using an option request protocol, the nodes being interconnected by control and data links of a channel, the method comprising:
- receiving a CLAW message option request having new control fields;
- creating at an option responder an option request response message comprising a body of said new control fields including an option name field and an option-specific parameter field containing any parameters specific to the response;
- and
- transmitting the option request response message from the option responder to an option requester over the control link to indicate that a requested option is one of accepted and rejected by the option responder.
An apparatus for dynamically negotiating an option between nodes of a computer network using an option request protocol, the nodes being interconnected by control and data links of a channel, the apparatus comprising:
- a CLAW message generator having an option field to add new control fields to a CLAW message;
- an option requester for creating an option request message comprising a body of said new control fields having an option name field whose contents specify a name of the requested option and an option-specific parameter field containing any parameters specific to the requested option;
- and
- means for transmitting the option request message from the option requester to an option responder over the control link of the channel to initiate negotiation of an option pertaining to one of a function performed by the option responder and a parameter for communication between the option responder over the data link of the channel.
An apparatus for dynamically negotiating an option between nodes of a computer network using an option request protocol, the nodes being interconnected by control and data links of a channel, the apparatus comprising:
- means for receiving a CLAW message option request having new control fields;
- an option responder to create an option request response message comprising a body of said new control fields including an option name field and an option-specific parameter field containing any parameters specific to the response;
- and
- means for transmitting the option request response message from the option responder to an option requester over the control link to indicate that a requested option is one of accepted and rejected by the option responder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.