Forwarding data frames with a distributed fiber channel forwarder
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of forwarding a data frame, the method comprising:
- receiving programming at a bridge element of a plurality of bridge elements from a controlling bridge configured to program the plurality of bridge elements, wherein the programming includes;
an address of a fiber channel forwarder to associate with the bridge element, the fiber channel forwarder selected by the controlling bridge from a plurality of fiber channel forwarders coupled to the bridge element, anda global fiber channel forwarder address to identify data frames to forward to the fiber channel forwarder, wherein the global fiber channel forwarder address is common to the plurality of fiber channel forwarders;
associating the fiber channel forwarder with the bridge element based on the programming received from the controlling bridge, wherein the bridge element is a hardware component and remote from the fiber channel forwarder; and
forwarding a data frame received at the bridge element to the fiber channel forwarder associated with the bridge element in response to recognizing the global fiber channel forwarder address included within the data frame.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods to forward data frames are described. A particular method may include associating a fiber channel forwarder with a bridge element. The fiber channel forwarder may be one of a plurality of fiber channel forwarders coupled to the bridge element. A data frame received at the bridge element may be forwarded to the fiber channel forwarder.
94 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of forwarding a data frame, the method comprising:
-
receiving programming at a bridge element of a plurality of bridge elements from a controlling bridge configured to program the plurality of bridge elements, wherein the programming includes; an address of a fiber channel forwarder to associate with the bridge element, the fiber channel forwarder selected by the controlling bridge from a plurality of fiber channel forwarders coupled to the bridge element, and a global fiber channel forwarder address to identify data frames to forward to the fiber channel forwarder, wherein the global fiber channel forwarder address is common to the plurality of fiber channel forwarders; associating the fiber channel forwarder with the bridge element based on the programming received from the controlling bridge, wherein the bridge element is a hardware component and remote from the fiber channel forwarder; and forwarding a data frame received at the bridge element to the fiber channel forwarder associated with the bridge element in response to recognizing the global fiber channel forwarder address included within the data frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 14)
-
-
7. An apparatus comprising:
-
a plurality of fiber channel forwarders each configured to encapsulate and de-encapsulate data frame data; a bridge element of a plurality of bridge elements of a distributed virtual bridge in communication with the plurality of fiber channel forwarders; and a controlling bridge of a plurality of controlling bridges configured to program the plurality of bridge elements, wherein the bridge element is configured to; receive programming from the controlling, wherein the programming includes; an address of a fiber channel forwarder to associate with the bridge element, the fiber channel forwarder selected by the controlling bridge from the plurality of fiber channel forwarders, and a global fiber channel forwarder address to identify data frames to forward to the fiber channel forwarder; associate the fiber channel forwarder with the bridge element based on the programming received from the controlling bridge, wherein the bridge element is a hardware component and remote from the fiber channel forwarder; and forward a data frame received at the bridge element to the fiber channel forwarder associated with the bridge element in response to recognizing the global fiber channel forwarder address included within the data frame. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
12. A program product, comprising:
- program code configured to be executed to on a non-transitory computer readable medium bearing the program code;
receive programming at a bridge element of a plurality of bridge elements of a distributed virtual bridge from a controlling bridge of a plurality of controlling bridges configured to program the plurality of bridge elements, wherein the programming includes;
an address of a fiber channel forwarder to associate with the bridge element, the fiber channel forwarder selected by the controlling bridge from a plurality of fiber channel forwarders coupled to the bridge element, and a global fiber channel forwarder address to identify data frames to forward to the fiber channel forwarder, wherein the global fiber channel forwarder address is common to the plurality of fiber channel forwarders;
associate the fiber channel forwarder with the bridge element based on the programming received from the controlling bridge, wherein the bridge element is a hardware component and remote from the fiber channel forwarder;
forward a data frame received at the bridge element to the fiber channel forwarder associated with the bridge element in response to recognizing the global fiber channel forwarder address included within the data frame.
- program code configured to be executed to on a non-transitory computer readable medium bearing the program code;
Specification