Multiplex communications – Channel assignment techniques – Polling
Patent
1999-02-24
2000-05-09
Nguyen, Chau
Multiplex communications
Channel assignment techniques
Polling
370461, H04J 302
Patent
active
060613602
ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for preserving loop fairness. Some embodiments include a dynamic half-duplex feature. One aspect includes a communications channel system and method for preserving loop fairness that includes a first channel node having one or more ports, each port supporting and attached to a fiber-channel arbitrated-loop serial communications channel. One of the ports will arbitrate for control of that port's attached channel, wherein control of the channel loop, once arbitration is won, a fairness-preserving apparatus causes control of the communications channel to be released based at least in part on whether a predetermined amount of use has occurred between the first port and the communications channel. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of use includes a transfer of a first predetermined amount of data. In some embodiments, release of control of the channel is inhibited if less than a second predetermined amount of data remains to be transferred.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4486739 (1984-12-01), Franaszek et al.
patent: 5598541 (1997-01-01), Malladi
patent: 5638518 (1997-06-01), Malladi
patent: 5663724 (1997-09-01), Westby
patent: 5751715 (1998-05-01), Chan et al.
patent: 5802080 (1998-09-01), Westby
patent: 5831985 (1998-11-01), Sandorfi
"Fibre Channel, Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL), Rev. 4.5", American National Standard for Information Technology draft proposed, ANSI X3.272-199 X, (Jun. 1, 1995).
"Fibre Channel, Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL-2), Rev 6.3", American National Standard for Information Technology draft proposed, ANSI X3.xxx-199x, (May 29, 1998).
"Fibre Channel, Physical and Signaling Interface (FC-PH), Rev 4.3", American National Standard for Informations Systems working draft, ANSI X3.230-199x, (Jun. 1, 1994).
"Information Systems--dpANS Fibre Channel Protocol for SCSI", American National Standard--draft proposed, X3.269-199x revision 12, (Dec. 4, 1995).
Georgiou, C.J., et al., "Scalable Protocol Engine for High-Bandwidth Communications", IEEE, pp. 1121-1126, (1997).
Sachs, M.W., et al., "Fibre Channel and Related Standards", IEEE Communications Magazine, p. 40-46, (Aug. 1996).
Miller Michael H.
Westby Judy Lynn
Nguyen Chau
Seagate Technology Inc.
Wolkow Frederick P.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for preserving loop fairness with dynamic h does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for preserving loop fairness with dynamic h, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for preserving loop fairness with dynamic h will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1072046