System and method for implementing LAN within shared I/O subsystem

• US 20030208633A1
• 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 7,356,608 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 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1017 based on a round robin mechanism
• 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 69/18 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 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

A shared I/O subsystem for providing network protocol management for a plurality of computer systems. The shared I/O subsystem includes a plurality of I/O interfaces where each of the I/O interfaces operatively couples one of the computer systems to the shared I/O subsystem. The shared I/O subsystem also includes an I/O management link that operatively interconnects the I/O interfaces, and a link layer switch that communicatively couples to each of the I/O interfaces. The link layer switch receives a data packet from one of the I/O interfaces and directs the data packet to one or more of the other ones of the I/O interfaces. The I/O interfaces may form a local area network within the shared I/O subsystem.

Claims

1. A shared I/O subsystem for providing network protocol management for a plurality of computer systems comprising:

a plurality of I/O interfaces, each of the I/O interfaces operatively coupling one of the computer systems to the shared I/O subsystem;

an I/O management link operatively interconnecting the I/O interfaces; and

a link layer switch communicatively coupled to each of the I/O interfaces, the link layer switch receives a data packet from one of the I/O interfaces and directs the data packet to one or more of the other ones of the I/O interfaces;

wherein the I/O interfaces form a local area network within the shared I/O subsystem.

2. The shared I/O subsystem of claim 1, wherein each of the I/O interfaces is independently detachable from one another.

3. The shared I/O subsystem of claim 1, wherein the I/O management link comprises an InfiniBand Maintenance Link (IBML).

4. The shared I/O subsystem of claim 1, wherein the data packet follows an IBML protocol.

5. The shared I/O subsystem of claim 4, wherein the data packet includes a user configurable portion, and wherein the user configuration portion is populated by an Ethernet packet.

6. The shared I/O subsystem of claim 5, wherein the user configurable portion includes data associated with at least one of a HTTP protocol, an SNMP protocol, a Telnet protocol, and an FTP protocol.

7. The shared I/O subsystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of the computer systems comprises an Ethernet network.

8. The shared I/O subsystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of the computer systems comprises a Fibre Channel Storage Network System.

9. The shared I/O subsystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of the computer systems comprises a IBML network.

10. The shared I/O subsystem of claim 1, wherein the data packet follows multiple network layer protocols.

11. The shared I/O subsystem of claim 1, wherein the computer systems include two or more servers, and wherein one of the servers uses an operating system that is different from an operating system used by one other of the servers.

12. The shared I/O subsystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of the computer system is one of a network appliance and a network device.

13. In a shared I/O subsystem for providing network protocol management for a plurality of computer systems, the shared I/O subsystem having a plurality of I/O interfaces, an I/O management link, and a link layer switch, a method comprising:

operatively coupling each of the I/O interfaces to one of the computer systems;

operatively interconnecting, with the I/O management link, the I/O interfaces; and

communicatively coupling the link layer switch to each of the I/O interfaces, the link layer switch receiving a data packet from one of the I/O interfaces and directing the data packet to one or more of the other ones of the I/O interfaces interconnected, wherein the I/O interfaces form a local area network within the shared I/O subsystem.

14. A shared I/O subsystem for providing network protocol management for a plurality of computer systems, the shared I/O subsystem having a plurality of I/O interfaces, an I/O management link, and a link layer switch, comprising:

means for operatively coupling each of the I/O interfaces to one of the computer systems;

means for operatively interconnecting, with the I/O management link, the I/O interfaces; and

means for communicatively coupling the link layer switch to each of the I/O interfaces, the link layer switch receiving a data packet from one of the I/O interfaces and directing the data packet to one or more of the other ones of the I/O interfaces interconnected, wherein the I/O interfaces form a local area network within the shared I/O subsystem.