Multiple virtual channels for use in network devices
First Claim
1. A method for controlling flow between virtual channel capable network devices, the method comprising:
- receiving a flow message from at least one of a plurality of first network devices by a second network device, the flow message indicating congestion at the at least one first network device;
receiving by the second network device, an Ethernet frame that is interpreted as a pause frame after the second network device does not acknowledge virtual channel capability;
halting, by the second network device, transmission of selected packets associated with the flow message; and
continuing transmission, by the second network device, of packets not associated with the flow message.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for establishing a virtual channel between network devices is disclosed. In the case of a local network device establishing a virtual channel with a remote network device, a virtual channel request message is sent from the local network device to the remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are received and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are sent. The virtual channel is then enabled. In the case of a remote network device establishing a virtual channel with a local network device, a virtual channel request message is received from a local network device by a remote network device. A virtual channel acknowledgement message and a remote capability list are sent and a virtual channel resume message and a local capability list are received. The virtual channel is then enabled.
446 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for controlling flow between virtual channel capable network devices, the method comprising:
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receiving a flow message from at least one of a plurality of first network devices by a second network device, the flow message indicating congestion at the at least one first network device; receiving by the second network device, an Ethernet frame that is interpreted as a pause frame after the second network device does not acknowledge virtual channel capability; halting, by the second network device, transmission of selected packets associated with the flow message; and continuing transmission, by the second network device, of packets not associated with the flow message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A first network device configured to establish one or more virtual channels with a virtual channel capable switch, wherein the first network device comprises:
at least one processor operable to; receive a flow message from the switch, the flow message indicating congestion in at least one virtual channel; receive an Ethernet frame that is interpreted as a pause frame if the switch does not acknowledge virtual channel capability; halt transmission of selected packets associated with the flow message; and continue transmission of packets not associated with the flow message. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A virtual channel capable network device comprising:
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a plurality of data ports for transmitting and receiving data and being configured to establish a virtual channel between the virtual channel capable network device and other virtual channel capable network devices; a local capability list residing at the virtual channel capable device, wherein the virtual channel capable network device is configured to transmit the local capability list via the virtual channel between the other virtual channel network capable devices and wherein the local capability list provides priority information of data associated with the virtual channel capable device, and wherein the priority information enables a selective flow control of transmitted and received data between the virtual channel capable network device and other virtual channel capable network devices, and wherein the virtual channel capable network device transmits an Ethernet frame that is interpreted as a pause frame after at least one of the other virtual channel capable network devices does not acknowledge virtual channel capability. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A switch configured to establish a virtual channel between network devices, the switch comprising:
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a plurality of ports, at least one of the plurality of ports being configured with the capability to process a first flow control message having priority information received by the port, to halt transmission on the port of packets associated with the priority information while continuing to transmit packets not associated with the first flow control message to the port, and the port being further configured with the capability to send at least one other flow control message having priority information to devices connected to the switch, and wherein the port sends an Ethernet frame that is interpreted as a pause frame after at least one network device does not acknowledge virtual channel capability. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An end node configured to establish a virtual channel between network devices, the end node comprising:
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at least one port configured with the capability to process a first flow control message having priority information received by the port, to halt transmission on the port of packets associated with the priority information while continuing to transmit packets not associated with the first flow control message, and to send at least one other flow control message having priority information to the network devices connected to the end node, wherein the end node receives an Ethernet frame that is interpreted as a pause frame from a network device that is not virtual channel capable. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification