Apparatus and method for selectively outputting data using a MAC layer interface or a PCI bus interface
First Claim
1. A network switch comprising:
- a PCI bus interface configured for enabling access by a host to the network switch;
a media access control (MAC) layer interface configured for sending and receiving data frames to and from the host; and
a first output buffer configured for selectively outputting data for the host via one of the MAC layer interface and the PCI bus interface.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Management data is selectively supplied to a management agent by a network switch using either a media access control (MAC) layer interface or PCI bus interface to provide maximum flexibility for the management agent. The management data includes management packets having at least a portion of a received data packet, and management information specifying receive status and network switch response characteristics to the corresponding received data packet. The network switch includes a plurality of network ports, including network traffic ports and one management queue for selectively supplying the management data to either the PCI interface or the management MAC interface. The selective output of the management frame via the alternate output paths enables the disclosed network switch to be implemented in existing switch fabric that uses a predetermined management protocol. The paths may also be segregated to optimize bandwidth for high priority data and low priority data, respectively.
90 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A network switch comprising:
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a PCI bus interface configured for enabling access by a host to the network switch; a media access control (MAC) layer interface configured for sending and receiving data frames to and from the host; and a first output buffer configured for selectively outputting data for the host via one of the MAC layer interface and the PCI bus interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system comprising:
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a host processor having a host PCI bus interface and a host media access layer (MAC) interface; a network switch configured for sending and receiving data packets to and from network stations, the network switch comprising; (1) a PCI bus interface in communication with the host PCI bus interface and configured for enabling access by the host to the network switch; (2) a media access control (MAC) layer interface sending and receiving data frames to and from the host MAC interface; and (3) a first output buffer configured for selectively outputting data to the host via one of the MAC layer interface and the PCI bus interface. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method in a network switch comprising:
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storing data to be output to a host controlling the network switch in a first output buffer; selecting one of a PCI interface and a media access control (MAC) layer interface as an output path for the data to be output; and outputting the data to the host via the selected output path, wherein the selecting step comprises setting the output path in response to the host setting a path configuration in the network switch.
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22. A method in a network switch comprising:
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storing data to be output to a host controlling the network switch in a first output buffer; selecting one of a PCI interface and a media access control (MAC) layer interface as an output path for the data to be output; and outputting the data to the host via the selected output path, wherein; the first output buffer includes a first buffer portion and a MAC transmit buffer portion; and the storing step comprises;
(1) storing a frame pointer, specifying a storage location of a data packet to be output to the host, and management status fields corresponding to the data packet to be output, and (2) selectively storing the management status fields and at least a portion of the data packet in the MAC transmit buffer portion based on the corresponding frame pointer. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification