Dynamic configuration of network data flow using a shared I/O subsystem

• US 20030208632A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tahoe Research Limited (f/k/a Learndale Limited) (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: QLogic Corporation (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Inventors: Rimmer, Todd
• Granted Patent: US 7,328,284 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/250
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/742 Route cache; Operation thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/3009 Header conversion, routing tables or routing tags
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/358 Infiniband Switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/602 Multilayer or multiprotocol switching, e.g. IP switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 Parsing or analysis of headers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A shared I/O subsystem having a forwarding table and a plurality of I/O interfaces. The forwarding table has a plurality of entries that correspond to each of the I/O interfaces. The shared I/O subsystem receives a data packet from one of the I/O interfaces where the data packet includes a plurality of address bits, applies the address bits of the data packet to the forwarding table, and discards the data packet if applying the address bits of the data packet to the forwarding table fails to result in identification of a valid destination.

Claims

1. In a shared I/O subsystem having a forwarding table and a plurality of I/O interfaces, a method comprising:

(a) populating the forwarding table with a plurality of entries that correspond to each of the I/O interfaces;

(b) receiving a data packet from one of the I/O interfaces, the data packet including a plurality of address bits;

(c) applying the address bits of the data packet to the forwarding table; and

(d) discarding the data packet if step (c) fails to result in identification of a valid destination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data packet is directed to one or more of the I/O interfaces if step (c) results in identification of a valid destination.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the I/O interfaces is an Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC) I/O interface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the address bits include at least one of MAC address bits and VLAN address bits.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data packet is one from the group of:

a Multicast, a Unicast, and a Broadcast.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the Multicast packet is selectively switchable to one or more of the I/O interfaces.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the I/O interfaces is a virtual I/O interface.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the I/O interfaces are communicatively coupled to a plurality of computer systems, and wherein the shared I/O subsystem provides a filtering function for each one of the computer systems.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the I/O interfaces is communicatively coupled to a computer system having one or more MAC addresses.

10. The method of a claim 1, wherein at least one of the I/O interfaces is communicatively coupled to at least one of a network, an appliance, and a device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the network is a Storage Area Network.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the network is an InterProcess Communications Network.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the network is a Local Area Network.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the network is a Wide Area Network.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the network is a Metropolitan Area Network.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the network is a System Area Network.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the I/O interfaces are communicatively coupled to a plurality of computer systems, and wherein one of the computer systems uses an operating system that is different from an operating system used by one other of the computer systems.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the data packet conforms to a protocol that uses at least one of a Send/Receive message passing and a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA).

19. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the I/O interface is operatively coupled to a network unit including at least one of a switch, a hub, a router, and a bridge.

20. A shared I/O subsystem comprising:

a plurality of I/O interfaces; and

a forwarding table;

wherein the shared I/O subsystem populates the forwarding table with a plurality of entries that correspond to each of the I/O interfaces, receives a data packet from one of the I/O interfaces, the data packet including a plurality of address bits, applies the address bits of the data packet to the forwarding table, discards the data packet if applying the address bits of the data packet to the forwarding table fails to result in identification of a valid destination.

21. A shared I/O subsystem having a forwarding table and a plurality of I/O interfaces, comprising:

means for populating the forwarding table with a plurality of entries that correspond to each of the I/O interfaces;

means for receiving a data packet from one of the I/O interfaces, the data packet including a plurality of address bits;

means for applying the address bits of the data packet to the forwarding table; and

means for discarding the data packet if applying the address bits of the data packet to the forwarding table fails to result in identification of a valid destination.