Bypass switching and messaging mechanism for providing intermix data transfer for a fiber optic switch
First Claim
1. A system for providing the capability to accommodate intermix data transfer in a fiber optic switch, the switch is connected to a fiber optic channel, the system comprising:
- a port intelligence system configured to transmit and receive data from the fiber optic channel according to a first protocol;
a memory interface system connected to the port intelligence system, the memory interface system comprisinga buffer configured to receive intermix data, the buffer having an input and an output;
a bypass bus connected to the input of the buffer;
a MUX connected to the output of the buffer and the bypass bus; and
a transmit control logic unit connected to the buffer and the MUX, the transmit control logic unit controls both the buffer and the MUX to transfer intermix data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for inserting intermix frames into a continuous stream of class 1 frames. A bypass bus, in conjunction with a first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer, are provided within a fiber optic switch element, to route intermix data frame through the switch that is concurrently transmitting class 1 data. A channel module, which is disposed between a switch module and a plurality of fiber optic channels, comprises a port intelligence system and a memory interface system. The port intelligence system is responsible for transmitting and receiving data from the fiber optic channels in accordance with a predetermined protocol, preferably Fibre Channel. The memory interface system comprises a receive memory unit, a transmit memory unit and memory control logic. When an intermix frame is to be passed through the switch, the intermix frame is passed to a FIFO concurrently while class 1 data transfer occurs via the bypass bus. After the intermix frame has been completely written into the FIFO, the memory control logic waits to detect a tag indicative of a break in the class 1 data transfer. The control logic will then switch the MUX and cause the FIFO to commence writing the intermix frame to the port intelligence system for transfer to a predetermined fiber optic channel.
81 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A system for providing the capability to accommodate intermix data transfer in a fiber optic switch, the switch is connected to a fiber optic channel, the system comprising:
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a port intelligence system configured to transmit and receive data from the fiber optic channel according to a first protocol; a memory interface system connected to the port intelligence system, the memory interface system comprising a buffer configured to receive intermix data, the buffer having an input and an output; a bypass bus connected to the input of the buffer; a MUX connected to the output of the buffer and the bypass bus; and a transmit control logic unit connected to the buffer and the MUX, the transmit control logic unit controls both the buffer and the MUX to transfer intermix data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for injecting intermix data into a continuous stream of class 1 data, the continuous stream of class 1 data being transferred through a fiber optic switch, the fiber optic switch having an input and an output, the method comprising the steps of:
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(1) transferring the continuous stream of class 1 data from the input to the output via a bypass bus; (2) writing an intermix frame to a memory unit; (3) determining whether subsequent class 1 data will follow the intermix frame; (4) writing the subsequent class 1 data to the memory unit if class 1 follows the intermix frame; (5) determining when an idle appears in the continuous stream of class 1 data; (6) writing the intermix frame from the memory unit to the output when the idle appears in the continuous stream of class 1 data; and (7) writing the subsequent class 1 data from the memory unit to the output.
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Specification