Switch element for fiber channel networks
First Claim
1. An apparatus for facilitating data communications in fibre channel network, the fibre channel having first and second fabric ports, the apparatus comprising:
- a switch module connected to the first fabric port and the second fabric port;
a channel control box disposed between the switch module and the first fabric port;
first and second fiber optic channels, the first fiber optic channel disposed between the first fabric port and the channel control box, the second fiber optic channel disposed between the second fabric port and the channel control box;
an element controller connected to the switch module; and
a path allocation system connected to the element controller and the switch module, the path allocation system allocates an interconnect path between the first fabric port and the second fabric port,wherein the switch module comprises;
a status MUX disposed between the channel control box and the path allocation system, the status MUX is configured to receive a plurality of status signals indicative the first and second fiber optic channels;
a main distribution network disposed between the channel control box and the path allocation system, the main distribution network interconnects the first and second fiber optic channels; and
a control distribution network disposed between the channel control box and the path allocation system.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for facilitating data communications in a fiber channel network is presented. The system comprises a fiber optic switch element which enables implementation of a Fiber Channel network by permitting selective interconnection of a plurality of fiber optic channels. The fiber optic switch element permits both circuit and frame switching. The switch element comprises a switch module which is connected to at least one fabric-port within the fiber channel fabric. The switch module allocates switching bandwidth. A path allocation system, which is connected to the switch module, generally directs frames of data between the at least one fabric-port to other fabric-ports located within the fabric. A channel module comprising a port intelligence mechanism is disposed between the switch module and the fabric-ports. An element controller provides centralized fabric management.
-
Citations
6 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for facilitating data communications in fibre channel network, the fibre channel having first and second fabric ports, the apparatus comprising:
-
a switch module connected to the first fabric port and the second fabric port; a channel control box disposed between the switch module and the first fabric port; first and second fiber optic channels, the first fiber optic channel disposed between the first fabric port and the channel control box, the second fiber optic channel disposed between the second fabric port and the channel control box; an element controller connected to the switch module; and a path allocation system connected to the element controller and the switch module, the path allocation system allocates an interconnect path between the first fabric port and the second fabric port, wherein the switch module comprises; a status MUX disposed between the channel control box and the path allocation system, the status MUX is configured to receive a plurality of status signals indicative the first and second fiber optic channels; a main distribution network disposed between the channel control box and the path allocation system, the main distribution network interconnects the first and second fiber optic channels; and a control distribution network disposed between the channel control box and the path allocation system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
Specification