Method and system for speed negotiation for twisted pair links in fibre channel sytems
AssigneeBroadcom Corporation
InventorsAli Ghiasi, Kevin Brown
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Certain aspects of a method and system for speed negotiation for twisted pair links in fiber channel systems are disclosed. Aspects of a method may include communicating data between fiber channel host devices communicatively coupled via a twisted pair link based on a common speed negotiated between the fiber channel host devices. At least one available speed may be determined for the communication of data between the fiber channel host devices over the twisted pair link. The determined available speeds for each of the fiber channel host devices may be exchanged via at least one fast link pulse signal. The common speed negotiated may be a highest available speed for the communication of data between the fiber channel host devices.
Claims24
A method for handling data in a communication system, the method comprising:
- obtaining a plurality of available speeds for communication of data between fibre channel host devices communicatively coupled via a twisted pair (TP) link;
- negotiating a common speed for communication of said data between said fibre channel host devices over said twisted pair link based upon said plurality of available speeds;
- setting a TP_LOS signal to HIGH, wherein said TP_LOS signal set to HIGH indicates an untrained or open link;
- communicating one or more IDLE signals between said fibre channel host devices based on said negotiated common speed to determine a link bit error rate of said twisted pair link and to verify said link bit error rate;
- obtaining an IDLE signal acknowledging verification of said link bit error rate;
- and initiating communication of said data between said fibre channel host devices at said negotiated common speed responsive to said verification of said link bit error rate.
A system for handling data in a communication system, the system comprising:
- one or more circuits that are operable to negotiate a common speed for communication of data between fibre channel host devices communicatively coupled via a twisted pair (TP) link, where the negotiation is carried out via communication of a plurality of IDLE signals between said fibre channel host devices over said twisted pair link;
- said one or more circuits are operable to set a TP_LOS signal to HIGH, wherein said TP_LOS signal set to HIGH indicates an untrained or open link;
- said one or more circuits are operable to communicate one or more of said plurality of IDLE signals between said fibre channel host devices at said negotiated common speed to determine a link bit error rate of said twisted pair link and to verify said link bit error rate;
- said one or more circuits are operable to obtain an IDLE signal acknowledging verification of said link bit error rate;
- and
- said one or more circuits are operable to communicate said data between said fibre channel host devices at said negotiated common speed responsive to said verification of said link bit error rate.
A method for handling data in a communication system, the method comprising:
- obtaining a plurality of available speeds for communication of data between fibre channel host devices communicatively coupled via a twisted pair (TP) link;
- negotiating a common speed for communication of said data between said fibre channel host devices over said twisted pair link based upon said plurality of available speeds;
- communicating one or more IDLE signals between said fibre channel host devices based on said negotiated common speed to verify a link bit error rate of said twisted pair link;
- obtaining an IDLE signal acknowledging verification of said link bit error rate;
- establishing a link for communication of said data between said fibre channel host devices on said twisted pair link at said negotiated common speed;
- setting a TP_LOS signal to LOW, wherein said TP_LOS signal set to LOW indicates establishment of a negotiated link;
- and
- initiating communication of said data between said fibre channel host devices at said negotiated common speed responsive to said verification of said link bit error rate.
A system for handling data in a communication system, the system comprising:
- one or more circuits that are operable to negotiate a common speed for communication of data between fibre channel host devices communicatively coupled via a twisted pair (TP) link, where the negotiation is carried out via communication of a plurality of IDLE signals between said fibre channel host devices over said twisted pair link;
- said one or more circuits are operable to communicate one or more of said plurality of IDLE signals between said fibre channel host devices at said negotiated common speed to verify a link bit error rate of said twisted pair link;
- said one or more circuits are operable to obtain an IDLE signal acknowledging verification of said link bit error rate;
- said one or more circuits are operable to establish a link for communication of said data between said fibre channel host devices on said twisted pair link at said negotiated common speed;
- said one or more circuits are operable to set a TP_LOS signal to LOW, wherein said TP_LOS signal set to LOW indicates establishment of a negotiated link;
- and
- said one or more circuits are operable to communicate said data between said fibre channel host devices at said negotiated common speed responsive to said verification of said link bit error rate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.