Network interface and computing system including the same
First Claim
1. A network interface included in a storage device, the storage device connected to a network through which communications are done in accordance with one or more communication protocols, said network interface comprising:
- a Physical Layer process unit for handling a signal defined by Physical Layer;
a clock supply unit for storing information on a plurality of relations between clock frequencies and communication protocols;
a serial conversion unit for determining a communication protocol, based on the information and a clock frequency of a received frame, or for determining a clock frequency of a frame to be sent, based on the information and a communication protocol of the frame; and
a multi-protocol process unit for handling the frame, in accordance with the determined communication protocol.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a network interface which enables a storage device to be connected to multiple networks of different specifications. A storage device is connected to a network through which communications are done in accordance with one or more communication protocols, and contains a network interface. This network interface includes a Physical Layer process unit for handling a signal defined by Physical Layer, a clock supply unit for storing information on a plurality of relations between clock frequencies and communication protocols, a serial conversion unit for determining a communication protocol, based on the information and a clock frequency of a received frame, or for determining a clock frequency of a frame to be sent, based on the information and a communication protocol of the frame, and a multi-protocol process unit for handling the frame, in accordance with the determined communication protocol.
22 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A network interface included in a storage device, the storage device connected to a network through which communications are done in accordance with one or more communication protocols, said network interface comprising:
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a Physical Layer process unit for handling a signal defined by Physical Layer;
a clock supply unit for storing information on a plurality of relations between clock frequencies and communication protocols;
a serial conversion unit for determining a communication protocol, based on the information and a clock frequency of a received frame, or for determining a clock frequency of a frame to be sent, based on the information and a communication protocol of the frame; and
a multi-protocol process unit for handling the frame, in accordance with the determined communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computing system comprising:
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a network through which communications are done in accordance with one or more communication protocols;
at least one storage device connected to the network;
at least one host connected to the network; and
a network interface included in the storage device, said network interface comprising;
a Physical Layer process unit for handling a signal defined by Physical Layer;
a clock supply unit for storing information on a plurality of relations between clock frequencies and communication protocols;
a serial conversion unit for determining a communication protocol, based on the information and a clock frequency of a received frame, or for determining a clock frequency of a frame to be sent, based on the information and a communication protocol of the frame; and
a multi-protocol process unit for handling the frame, in accordance with the determined communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeHitachi, Ltd.
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Original AssigneeHitachi, Ltd.
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InventorsMurakami, Toshihiko, Mizuno, Makio
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Application NumberUS11/119,901Publication NumberTime in Patent OfficeDaysField of SearchUS Class Current370/469CPC Class CodesG06F 3/0601 Interfaces specially adapte...G06F 3/0673 Single storage deviceH04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of ...H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g...
