Integrated multi-function adapters using standard interfaces...

Details Integrated multi-function adapters using standard interfaces... Integrated multi-function adapters using standard interfaces...

1998-12-10

2002-06-18

Gaffin, Jeffrey (Department: 2182)

Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/

Input/output data processing

Input/output access regulation

C710S107000, C710S302000, C710S108000, C713S001000, C713S100000, C370S465000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06408347

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to adapter devices and more particularly to adapter devices which are constrained in having a single access point to an external communications bus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many interfaces used to interface adapter cards to other processors in network and data processing systems, the adapter card is limited to a single access point to the card. For example, in the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) standard each adapter card is limited to a single media access controller (MAC) which interfaces to the PCI bus. An example of this single access point architecture is seen in
FIG. 1
which illustrates a conventional system incorporating multiple network adapter cards.
As seen in
FIG. 1
, conventional network adapters
20
,
20
′, such as Ethernet adapters, utilize a sing MAC
22
to communicate with a PCI connection
12
over the PCI bus
14
. The MAC
22
may communicate with a single or multiple physical interfaces (PHYS)
24
over a media independent interface (MII)
23
which is an industry standard interface for communicating with a PHY. As is seen in
FIG. 1
, conventionally, the network adapter cards are limited to a single function type per card in that only PHYs are connected to the MAC
22
over the MII bus
23
.
Conventionally, if functions other than a single function, such as a PHY, were desired, a MAC would access the PCI bus
14
on a separate card and then the separate card would be coupled to the adapter card. For example, switch ports and an Ethernet switch would conventionally be communicated with over an Ethernet connection. Alternatively, while the inventors are aware of any specific examples of such an adapter card, if multiple functions were desired on a single adapter, as seen in
FIG. 2
, conventionally, the PCI bus generally would be replicated on a single card
28
through the use of a PCI to PCI bridge
26
and then individual MACs
22
or other bridges
30
would be connected to the replicated PCI bus
14
′. These MACs
22
and bridges
25
could then be used to access the multiple functions, such as the switch ports
32
and Ethernet switch
34
of FIG.
2
. Thus, the single access point of the card could be maintained, however, the card's complexity would be greatly increased by the addition of the bridge to replicate the PCI bus, as well as the inclusion of separate MACs or bridges for each function. Such a system may be further complicated because separate device drivers would typically need to be written to interface to each replicated PCI bus interface on the card. Thus, for a two function card with two replicated PCI bus connections, two device drivers may be required.
In light of the complexity of adding functions to adapter cards where a single access point is required, a need exists for improvements in adapters which perform multiple functions but which are limited to a single access point to an external bus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above discussion, it is an object of the present invention to provide for multiple functions in a single adapter.
A further object of the present invention is to provide multiple functions in a single adapter which does not require multiple device drivers.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide enhanced functions to network adapters which may be incorporated without modification to existing industry standard interfaces.
These and other objects of the present invention are provided by interfacing to the industry standard function specific bus, such as the MII bus utilizing management functions of the bus. The management functions are utilized to communicate with the enhanced features of the adapter card or to combine features on a single adapter without requiring replication of the external communications bus on the adapter. Such use of the management functions may be accomplished without changing the interface or operation of the interface to the primary functions of the adapter. Furthermore, because the functions are provided through the management features of the internal bus, a single device driver may be utilized for the adapter, thus reducing the complexity of programming for the adapter.
Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, an integrated network adapter device is provided with a media access controller (MAC) which provides a single point of access to an external communications bus. The external communications bus is configured so as to allow only a single medium access controller for an adapter device. A dedicated internal communications interface is configured so as to interface to circuits providing a network interface function so as to allow communications between network interfaces and the external communications bus through the single media access controller. At least one first circuit which provides a network interface function which communicates over the dedicated internal communications interface to communicate over the external communications bus is also provided. Furthermore, at least one second circuit which provides a function other than a network interface function and which is configured so as to communicate utilizing the dedicated internal communications interface to communicate over the external communications bus is also provided.
In further embodiments, the second circuit communicates over the dedicated internal communications interface to communicate over the external communications bus utilizing management functions of the dedicated internal communications interface. Furthermore, data portions of the management functions of the dedicated internal communications interface may be re-mapped to correspond to the function other than the network interface function. Thus, the present invention allows for the inclusion of the second function utilizing the dedicated internal interface without impacting the use of the interface by the first function.
Such a non-obtrusive incorporation of multiple functions may be accomplished by the second circuit being assigned an unused address of the dedicated internal communications interface. Communications between the external communications bus and the second circuit would then comprise management function communications to the unused address assigned to the second circuit.
In specific embodiments of the present invention, the media access controller comprises a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) media access controller. The dedicated internal communications interface may be an Ethernet media independent interface (MII). Also, the first circuit may be a network physical interface (PHY). The second circuit may be a hardware address filter function. The first circuit may also be an Ethernet switch, where user traffic for ports of the Ethernet switch is communicated over the MII and where control of the Ethernet switch is provided over a bus other than the MII bus. Then, the second circuit may be an adapter for converting communications on the bus other than the MII bus to MII communications so as to allow control of the Ethernet switch from the PCI bus through the MAC.
In further embodiments of the present invention, methods and systems are provided for communicating to multiple functions on a single adapter device over an external communications bus, where the external communications bus is configured so as to allow only a single access point to the external communications bus for each adapter device. Communications on the external communications bus are provided through the single access point to functions of a first type in the adapter device utilizing a function specific communications interface configured for communicating with functions of the first type. Communications on the external communications bus are also provided through the single access point to functions in the adapter device other than functions of the first type utilizing management capabilities of the function specific communications interface so as to provide communications with the functions of the second type without modifying the

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