Method for controlling the communication of individual computers in a multicomputer system

• US 20030041177A1
• Filed: 08/29/2002
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Partec AG
• Original Assignee: Partec AG
• Inventors: Blum, Joachim, Warschko, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,308,509 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 719/310
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/10 Streamlined, light-weight or high-speed protocols, e.g. express transfer protocol [XTP] or byte stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/32 Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A method for controlling the communications of single computers in a computer network, in which the single computers are connected with each other via a standard network LAN and a high performance network SAN. Each single computer comprises, in an operation system kernel, a protocol unit connected with the standard network LAN for servicing communication protocols and a library, which is connected in front of the operation system kernel, on which applications are stuck at a communication interface. The selection between the standard network LAN and the high performance network SAN occurs in a network selection unit. It is thereby provided that the network selection happens after the communication interface of the library and before access to the operation system kernel. If the network selection happens before access to the operation system, the library can be connected via a communication path with the high performance network SAN, which bypasses the operation system kernel.

Claims

1. Method for controlling the communication of single computers in a computer network, whereby the single computers are connected with each other via a standard network LAN and a high-performance network SAN and whereby each single computer comprises in an operation system kernel (10) a protocol unit (15) connected with said standard network LAN for servicing communication protocols and a library (14;

14, 18;

14, 18, 22) connected in front of said operating system kernel (10), on which applications (A, B) are stuck at a communication interface (23, 24), whereby the selection between said standard network LAN and said high-performance network SAN happens in a network selection unit (13), characterized in that, said network selection happens after the communication interface (23, 24) of said library and before or immediately after access to said operation system kernel (10).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, said network selection happens before said access to said operation system kernel (10) and said library is connected with said high-performance network SAN via a communication path (19), which bypasses said operation system kernel (10).

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, said network selection happens after access to the operation system kernel (10) and said library is connected with said high-performance network SAN via a communication path (19) and that a further communication path (19′

) is provided, which directly connects a further library with said high-performance network SAN.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that, said further communication path (19′

) is located outside said operation system kernel (10).

5. Method according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, said network selection takes place depending on target addresses given by said application.

6. Method according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, said standard network LAN is accessed, if a communication connection to said high-performance network LAN via said communication path (19) or said further communication path (19′

) is not possible.

7. Method according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, protocol tasks are relocated to the network hardware (17) for providing slimmer communication protocols.