Multiple virtual local area network support for shared network adapters

• US 20040202185A1
• Filed: 04/14/2003
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Ratcliff, Bruce H., Valley, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US10/413,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20040202185A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/395.53
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4641 Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN] LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; encapsulation techniques H04L12/4633; routing of packets H04L45/00; packet switches H04L49/00; virtual private networks for security H04L63/0272
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4645 Details on frame tagging routing of packets H04L45/00; support for virtual LAN H04L49/354
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/467 Arrangements for supporting untagged frames, e.g. port-based VLANs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0227 Filtering policies mail message filtering H04L51/212

Abstract

A data processing system which includes a host computer having a memory partitioned into multiple logical partitions, each partition having an operating system for processing data, an adapter. The data processing system further includes multiple virtual local area networks (VLANs) for exchanging data with the partitions of the host computer. An Internet Protocol Assist (IPA) layer in the host computer assigns one or more Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to the partitions, and associates the IP addresses of the partitions with one or more VLANs such that data may be exchanges between an individual partition and one or VLANs in unicast, multicast or broadcast operations.

Claims

1. A data processing system comprising:

a host computer having a memory partitioned into multiple logical partitions, each partition having an operating system for processing data;

an adapter in said host computer;

multiple virtual local area networks (VLANs) for exchanging data with said partitions of said host computer; and

an Internet Protocol Assist (IPA) layer in said host computer having an ASSOCIATE VLAN for associating said VLANs with said partitions such that an individual partition may exchange data with one or more VLANs. .

2. The data processing system according to claim 1 wherein each of said partition in said host computer has one or more Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and said IPA layer has aVLAN SUPPORT command for providing said IP addresses of said partitions to said adapter such that said ASSOCATE VLAN command associates the IP addresses of said partitions with said VLANs.

3. The data processing system according to claim 1 wherein said IPA layer provides for unicast, multicast and broadcast operations between said partitions and said VLANs.

4. In a data processing system including a host computer having a memory partitioned into multiple logical partitions, each partition having an operating system for processing data, an adapter and multiple virtual local area networks (VLANs) for exchanging data with said partitions of said host computer, a method comprising:

providing an Internet Protocol Assist (IPA) layer in said host computer; and

associating with an ASSOCIATE VLAN command in said IPA layer, VLANS and said partitions such that an individual partition may exchange data with one or more of said VLANs.

5. The method according to claim 4 further comprising:

providing each of said partition in said host computer with one or more Internet Protocol (IP) addresses; and

providing with a VLAN SUPPORT command, said IP addresses of said partitions to said adapter such that said ASSOCATE VLAN command associates the IP addresses of said partitions with said VLANs.

6. The method according to claim 5 further comprising providing with said IPA layer, unicast, multicast and broadcast operations between said partitions and said VLANs.

7. A program product for use in a data processing system including a host computer having a memory partitioned into multiple logical partitions, each partition having an operating system for processing data, an adapter and multiple virtual local area networks (VLANs) for exchanging data with said partitions of said host computer, said program product comprising:

a computer readable medium having recorded thereon computer readable program codr for performing the method comprising;

assigning VLAN identifications to said VLANS; and

associating said VLAN identifications with said partitions such that an individual partition may exchange data with one or more of said VLANs.

8. The program product according to claim 7 wherein said method comprises:

assigning each of said partition in said host computer with one or more Internet Protocol (IP) addresses; and

associating said IP addresses of said partitions with said VLANs.

9. The program product according to claim 8 wherein said method comprises:

providing unicast, multicast and broadcast operations between said partitions and said VLANs.