Direct mode adapter based shortcut for FCoE data transfer
OwnerJohn Lewis Hufferdinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention permits all FCoE (Fiber Channel over Ethernet) frames to be transferred from one FCoE network adapter to another without having to traverse through a Fiber Channel Forwarder (FCF) device. After the FCF is determined not to be present, a logical End-To-End connection is established between Peer FCoE Adapters. This invention permits an FCoE message originating at an FCoE network adapter to be sent to an FCoE receiving adapter across “Ethernet” links and switches, or via a single “Ethernet” link (Point-To-Point) but without having to pass through FCF devices.
Claims8
A system for communicating Fibre Channel (FC) messages over a switched Ethernet network, between system network adapters, comprising:
- one or more initiator system network adapters;
- and
- one or more target system network adapters;
- wherein said one or more initiator system network adapters and said one or more target system network adapters, all of which total at least three, are configured to communicate Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) messages—including FCoE Initialization Protocol (FIP) type Messages—over virtual links formed over the switched Ethernet network without requiring said FCoE messages to traverse to, or through any of the following:
- a) FCoE Forwarders (FCFs), b) a FC Switch, or c) an FCF type device;
- wherein the virtual link between a first system network adapter of said one or more Initiator system network adapters and a second system network adapter of said one or more target system network adapters is formed by all the Initiator and Target system network adapters soliciting, via solicitation messages, and receiving response messages that have descriptive information, including VN Port media access control (MAC) address, from all other responding system network adapters operating on the network;
- and
- the first system network adapter:
- selecting the second system network adapter of said one or more target system network adapters from among the target system network adapters that respond to said soliciting, by utilizing said descriptive information;
- sending a fabric login request (FLOGI), within an FCoE Initiation Protocol (FIP) message directly to the selected second network adapter;
- and upon the selected second system network adapter accepting the fabric login request, forming the virtual link between the first system network adapter and the selected second system network adapter;
- and wherein said second system network adapter is configured to send a connection response message—accepting the fabric login request—directly to the first system network adapter in response to receipt of said fabric login request (FLOGI) within an FCoE Initiation Protocol (FIP) message and wherein said connection response message comprises an FCoE Initiation Protocol (FIP) login accept message (FLOGI ACC).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.