Samuel C Lay

US Patent:

6643602, Nov 4, 2003

Filed:

Oct 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/284120

Inventors:

Samuel C. Lay - Broomfield CO
Jeffrey J. Nelson - Louisville CO
James Rodgers - Boulder CO
Kenneth N. Jessop - Arvada CO

Assignee:

Mcdata Corporation - Broomfield CO

International Classification:

G02B 628

US Classification:

702117, 398 43

Abstract:

A non-disruptive, on-line testing and switchover method and apparatus in a high availability, fibre channel switching environment. In a network having an active switching element, a redundant switching element and a port, one aspect of the present invention provides for verifying a working data path from the port to the redundant switching element, and thereafter verifying a working control path to the redundant switching element. Both verification tests take place without interrupting operation on the network. In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides for recognizing a failure occurrence in the active switching element, and thereafter switching to the redundant switching element with the potential for minimal frame loss.

US Patent:

6862293, Mar 1, 2005

Filed:

Nov 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/010813

Inventors:

Samuel C. Lay - Superior CO, US
Jeffrey J. Nelson - Louisville CO, US

Assignee:

McData Corporation - Broomfield CO

International Classification:

H04L012/50
H04Q011/00
H04J003/02

US Classification:

370420, 370360, 370428, 370463, 370537

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for providing link aggregation and 10. 2 gigabit per second throughput in a Fibre Channel fabric. One aspect of the present invention provides a port module for receiving a 10. 2 gigabit link on a fiber interface and providing trunking of a plurality links on the backplane, wherein the backplane is coupled to a switching element. In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides a first port module coupled to a switching element for receiving a 10. 2 gigabit link from a fabric on a fiber interface and thereafter transmitting fiber channel frames to a second port module coupled to the switching element that interfaces to the fabric at 10. 2 gigabits, thereby providing 10. 2 gigabit to 10. 2 gigabit throughput from the first port module to the second port module.

US Patent:

20020147569, Oct 10, 2002

Filed:

Apr 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/829448

Inventors:

Samuel Lay - Broomfield CO, US
Jeffrey Nelson - Louisville CO, US
James Rodgers - Boulder CO, US
Kenneth Jessop - Arvada CO, US

International Classification:

G06F011/30

US Classification:

702/183000

Abstract:

A non-disruptive, on-line testing and switchover method and apparatus in a high availability, fiber channel switching environment. In a network having an active switching element, a redundant switching element and a port, one aspect of the present invention provides for verifying a working data path from the port to the redundant switching element, and thereafter verifying a working control path to the redundant switching element. Both verification tests take place without interrupting operation on the network. In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides for recognizing a failure occurrence in the active switching element, and thereafter switching to the redundant switching element with the potential for minimal frame loss.