Method for controlling the communication of single computers in a computer network

• US 7,308,509 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Issued: 12/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Partec AG
• Original Assignee: Partec AG
• Inventors: Blum, Joachim, Warschko, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Vaughn; William
• Assistant Examiner(s): MESFIN, YEMANE
• Application Number:
  US10/220,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20030041177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,477 Days
• Field of Search: 709/216, 709/219, 709/229, 709/223, 709/230, 709/250, 709/220, 711/111, 711/112
• US Class Current: 709/250
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/10 Streamlined, light-weight or high-speed protocols, e.g. express transfer protocol [XTP] or byte stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/32 Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A method for controlling the communications of a computer in a computer network or a plurality of single computers in a computer network, in which the computer is connected to other computers and the single computers are connected with each other via a standard network LAN and a high performance network SAN. Each single computer comprises, in an operation system kernel, a protocol unit connected with the standard network LAN for servicing communication protocols and a library, which is connected in front of the operation system kernel, for which applications are sitting at a communication interface. Selection of the communication path between the standard network LAN and the high performance network SAN occurs in a network selection unit integrated with a base library. It is thereby provided that the network selection happens after the communication interface of the library and before access to the operation system kernel. If the network selection happens before access to the operation system, the library can be connected via a communication path with the high performance network SAN, which bypasses the operation system kernel.

Claims

1. A method for controlling communication of a plurality of single computers in a computer network so as to selectively connect one of said computers to at least one other of said computers by a first communication path connected to a standard network LAN and by a second communication path connected to a high performance network SAN, the high performance SAN being capable of servicing associated communication protocols, the method comprising:

accessing a base library, via a communication interface, said base library being connected in the first and second communication paths before an operation system kernel; and

selecting, using a network selection unit that is integrated in the base library, between one of the first communication path to the standard network LAN and the second communication path to the high-performance network SAN, said selecting occurring at a point in the network after the base library and before access to said operation system kernel, wherein

said second communication path bypasses said operation system kernel and a protocol unit that is associated with the standard network LAN and located alone the first communication path in the operation system kernel.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said second communication path is located outside said operation system kernel.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said network selection takes place depending on target addresses given by one or more applications connected to said communication interface.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said standard network LAN is accessed, if a communication connection to said high-performance network SAN via said second communication path or said third communication path is not possible.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein protocol tasks are relocated to the network hardware to provide slimmer communication protocols.