Encapsulation enabled PCIE virtualisation

A method of transmitting data packets, comprising at an intercepting device intermediate a first device and a switch:

• receiving a first data packet from the switch, the first data packet originating at a second device;
• determining whether the first data packet is an encapsulated data packet;
• if it is determined that the first data packet is an encapsulated data packet:
• de-encapsulating the first data packet to obtain a second data packet;
• and
• transmitting the second data packet to the first device;
• and
• if it is determined that the first data packet is not an encapsulated data packet:
• transmitting the first data packet to the first device:
• and
• wherein the first device is connected to a first downstream port of the switch via the
• intercepting device and the second device is connected to a second downstream port of the switch.

A method of transmitting data packets through a switch to a first device from a second device, comprising at the second device:

• creating a first data packet for transmission to the first device through the switch;
• determining that the first data packet is of a first type that cannot be transmitted from the second device to the first device through the switch;
• encapsulating the first data packet within a second data packet, the second data packet being of a second type that can be transmitted from the second device to the first device through the switch
• wherein the first device is connected to a first downstream port of the switch via an intercepting device and the second device is connected to a second downstream port of the switch.

A device for connection between a first device and a switch, comprising:

• a receiver for receiving data packets;
• a transmitter for transmitting data packets;
• a memory storing computer readable instructions;
• and
• a processor for executing the computer readable instructions;
• wherein the computer readable instructions are configured to cause the device to:
• receive a first data packet from the first device, wherein the first is device connected to a first downstream port of the switch via the device;
• determine that the first data packet is to be transmitted to a second device, wherein the second device is connected to a second downstream port of the switch;
• determine whether the first data packet is of a first type that cannot be transmitted through the switch from the device to the second device;
• if it is determined that the first data packet is of the first type:
• encapsulate the first data packet within a second data packet, the second data packet being of a second type that can be transmitted from the device through the switch to the second device;
• transmit the second data packet through the switch to the second device;
• and
• if it is determined that the first data packet is not of the first type:
• transmit the first data packet through the switch to the second device.

A device for connection between a first device and a switch, comprising:

• a receiver for receiving data packets;
• a transmitter for transmitting data packets;
• a memory storing computer readable instructions;
• and
• a processor for executing the computer readable instructions;
• wherein the computer readable instructions are configured to cause the device to:
• receive a first data packet from the switch, the first data packet originating from a second device;
• determine whether the first data packet is an encapsulated data packet;
• if it is determined that the first data packet is an encapsulated data packet:
• de-encapsulate the first data packet to obtain a second data
• packet;
• and transmit the second data packet to the first device;
• and if it is determined that the first data packet is not an encapsulated data packet:
• transmit the first data packet to the first device;
• wherein the first device is connected to a first downstream port of the switch via
• the device and the second device is connected to a second downstream port of the switch.

A proxy device comprising:

• a transmitter for transmitting data packets;
• a memory storing computer readable instructions;
• a processor for executing the computer readable instructions;
• wherein the computer readable instructions are configured to cause the proxy device to:
• create a first data packet for transmission to a first device through a switch;
• determine that the first data packet is of a first type that cannot be transmitted to the first device through the switch;
• encapsulate the first data packet within a second data packet, wherein the second data packet is of a second type that can be transmitted to the first device through a switch;
• and
• transmit the second data packet to the first device through the switch;
• wherein the first device is connected to a first downstream port of the switch via an intercepting device and the proxy device is connected to a second downstream port of the switch.

A system comprising:

• a switch;
• a first device connected to a first downstream port of the switch via an intercepting device;
• a second device connected to a second downstream port of the switch;
• wherein the first device is configured to generate data packets to be transmitted to the second device through the switch;
• wherein the intercepting device is configured to:
• receive a first data packet from the first device;
• determine that the first data packet is to be transmitted to the second device;
• determine whether the first data packet is of a first type that cannot be transmitted through the switch from the intercepting device to the second device;
• if it is determined that the first data packet is of the first type the intercepting device is configured to:
• encapsulate the first data packet within a second data packet, the second data packet being of a second type that can be transmitted from the intercepting device through the switch to the second device;
• transmit the second data packet through the switch to the second device;
• if it is determined that the first data packet is not of the first type:
• transmit the first data packet through the switch to the second device.