Multiplex communications – Data flow congestion prevention or control – Flow control of data transmission through a network
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-04
2003-05-27
Kizou, Hassan (Department: 2662)
Multiplex communications
Data flow congestion prevention or control
Flow control of data transmission through a network
C370S412000, C370S395200, C370S400000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06570853
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an improved data processing system and in particular to a method and apparatus for transmitting data. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for managing transmission of data from a source to a destination.
2. Description of the Related Art
Two basic types of communications connections are employed between processors and between a processor and a peripheral. These types of connections are known as channels and networks. A channel provides a direct or switched point-to-point connection between communicating devices. This type of connection is typically employed between a processor and a peripheral device. The primary task of the channel is to transport data at the highest possible speed with the least delay. In contrast, a network is an aggregation of distributed nodes, such as workstations, file servers, and peripherals. Typically, in a network a node contends for the transmission medium and each node must be kept free of error conditions on the network. A traditional channel is hardware intensive and typically has lower overhead than a network. Conversely, networks tend to have relatively high overhead because they are software intensive. Networks, however, are expected to handle a more extensive range of tasks as compared to channels. In a closed system, every device addressed is known to the operating system either by assignment or pre-definition. This configuration knowledge is important to the performance levels of channels. Fibre Channel is a channel-network hybrid containing network features to provide the needed connectivity, distance, and protocol multiplexing along with enough traditional channel features to retain simplicity, repeatable performance, and guaranteed delivery. Fibre Channel has an architecture that represents a true channel
etwork integration. Fibre Channel allows for an active intelligent interconnections scheme, called a fabric, to connect devices. A Fibre Channel port manages simple point-to-point connection between itself and the fabric. A “port” is a hardware entity on a “node” with a node being a device connected to a network that is capable of communicating with other network devices. Transmission is isolated from control protocol. As a result, different topologies may be implemented. Fibre Channel supports both large and small data transfers.
The demand for flexible, high performance, fault-tolerant storage subsystems caused host adapter, disk storage, and high-capacity drive manufacturers to adopt Fibre Channel (FC) as a standard. This serial standard cuts cabling costs, increases data rates, and overcomes distance limitations commonly associated with a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI). Fibre Channel can carry SCSI protocols, and as a result offers an ideal upgrade for work stations, servers, and other systems requiring high availability and/or high bandwidth. Fibre Channel has become increasingly important as companies are seeking to provide faster and easier access to data for various clients. The Fibre Channel Standard (FCS) as adopted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), provides a low cost, high speed interconnect standard for workstations, mass storage devices, printers, and displays.
Current Fibre Channel data transfer rates exceed 100 megabytes (Mbytes) per second in each direction. Fibre Channel data transfer rates also may be scaled to lower speed, such as 50 Mbytes per second and 25 Mbytes per second. This technology provides an interface that supports both channel and network connections for both switched and shared mediums. Fibre Channel simplifies device interconnections and reduces hardware cost because each device requires only a single Fibre Channel port for both channel and network interfaces. Network, port to port, and peripheral interfaces can be accessed though the same hardware connection with the transfer of data of any format.
In sending data from a source node to a destination node, the source transmits data from a bus, such as a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, to a buffer for transfer onto a Fibre Channel system, which is connected to the destination node. Data is sent serially on Fibre Channel systems. As a result, data currently in a buffer must be sent before additional data may be loaded. Currently, if data cannot be sent because the destination is not accepting additional data, then this data must be removed to send data to another destination. This loading and dumping of data increases the overhead in transferring data between various nodes on a Fibre Channel system.
Additionally, in some cases, a source node will attempt to transmit data to a destination node on a network that has receive buffers that are full or unable to receive data. In such a situation, presently known devices will continue to attempt to send data to this node. In the case of a Fibre Channel system that includes an arbitrated loop, such a device will continue to hold the arbitrated loop and freeze the entire network, preventing data transfers by other devices to other destinations.
Thus, it would be advantageous to have an improved method and apparatus for transferring data between nodes in which the reduction in network efficiency, caused by a device continuing to transmit data to a node that is not accepting data, is reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and apparatus in a source node for transmitting data to a target node. Responsive to a request to transmit data to the target node, a determination is made as to whether a selected period of time has passed without data transmitted from the source node being received by the target node. Responsive to detecting the selected period of time has passed without data transmitted from the source node being received by the target node, a determination is made as to whether space is available in the target node to receive the data. Responsive to a determination that space is unavailable in the target node, an indication that the target node is blocked is generated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4849968 (1989-07-01), Turner
patent: 4928096 (1990-05-01), Leonardo et al.
patent: 5136582 (1992-08-01), Firoozmand
patent: 5247626 (1993-09-01), Firoozmand
patent: 5463382 (1995-10-01), Nikas et al.
patent: 5610745 (1997-03-01), Bennett
patent: 5615392 (1997-03-01), Harrison et al.
patent: 5644575 (1997-07-01), McDaniel
patent: 5726977 (1998-03-01), Lee
patent: 5740466 (1998-04-01), Geldman et al.
patent: 5742675 (1998-04-01), Kilander et al.
patent: 5768530 (1998-06-01), Sandorfi
patent: 5778419 (1998-07-01), Hansen et al.
patent: 5781801 (1998-07-01), Flanagan et al.
patent: 5784358 (1998-07-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5856972 (1999-01-01), Riley et al.
patent: 5864557 (1999-01-01), Lyons
patent: 5914936 (1999-06-01), Hatono et al.
patent: 5914955 (1999-06-01), Rostoker et al.
patent: 6000020 (1999-12-01), Chin et al.
patent: 6038235 (2000-03-01), Ho et al.
patent: 6091710 (2000-07-01), Mawhinney
patent: 6098125 (2000-08-01), Fiacco et al.
patent: 6101166 (2000-08-01), Baldwin et al.
patent: 6104722 (2000-08-01), Stewart
patent: 6128283 (2000-10-01), Sabaa et al.
patent: 6185203 (2001-02-01), Berman
patent: 6188668 (2001-02-01), Brewer et al.
patent: 6256306 (2001-07-01), Bellenger
Adams John M.
Hoglund Timothy E.
Johnson Stephen M.
Reber Mark A.
Weber David M.
Carstens Yee & Cahoon LLP
Kizou Hassan
LSI Logic Corporation
Nguyen Hanh
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for transmitting data to a node in a... 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 transmitting data to a node in a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for transmitting data to a node in a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3058522