Patent US6134617A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6134617A
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US
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Method and apparatus for managing access to a loop in a data processing system
Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1998-04-03
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Granted: 2000-10-17
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Expires: 2018-04-03
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for transferring data from a host to a node through a fabric connecting the host to the node. A chip architecture is provided in which a protocol engine provides for on chip processing in transferring data such that frequent interrupts from various components within the chip may be processed without intervention from the host processor. Additionally, context managers are provided to transmit and receive data. The protocol engine creates a list of transmit activities, which is traversed by the context managers, which in turn execute the listed activity in a fashion independent from the protocol engine. In receiving data, the context managers provide a mechanism to process frames of data originating from various sources without requiring intervention from the protocol engine. When receiving data, the context managers are able to process frames from different sources, which arrive out of order. Additionally, the context managers also determine when all frames within a sequence have been received. A link control unit is provided in which loop management is provided when the host is connected to a loop. Management of the loop includes implementing mechanisms to initiate acquisition of the loop and initiate a release of the loop in response to conditions in which data is received and transmitted by the host and by other nodes on the loop.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Weber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:46
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L49/00; H04L49/90; H04L49/9047; H04L49/901; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L69/00; H04L69/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for managing access to a loop by a node, the method comprising: detecting a condition in which data is being loaded in the node for transmission to a destination; and initiating acquisition of the loop in response to detecting data being loaded for transmission.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for managing access to a loop by a node, the method comprising: detecting a condition in which data is being loaded in the node for transmission to a destination; and initiating acquisition of the loop in response to detecting data being loaded for transmission.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the node has a state in which the step of initiating acquisition of the loop occurs only when a unit of data has been loaded for transmission.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the unit of data is a frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: sending a packet of data after the node acquires ownership of the loop, wherein the node holds the loop.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising: determining, after sending the packet of data, whether the node has held the loop longer than a period of time; releasing the loop in response to a determination that the node has held the loop longer than the period of time and in response to detecting an indication that another node desires to access the loop; and identifying a preselected condition in which overhead in retaining the loop is greater than releasing the loop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the node is a computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the node is an adapter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the node is one of an adapter and a computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the sending step is performed when possible.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A node comprising: detection means for detecting a condition in which a data is being loaded in the node for transmission; and initiation means for initiating acquisition of the loop in response to detecting data being loaded for transmission.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A node comprising: detection means for detecting a condition in which a data is being loaded in the node for transmission; and initiation means for initiating acquisition of the loop in response to detecting data being loaded for transmission.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The node of claim 10 wherein the node has a state in which the initiation means initiates acquisition of the loop only when a unit data has been loaded for transmission.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The node of claim 11, wherein the unit is a frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The node of claim 11 further comprising: transmission means for sending a packet of data after the node acquires ownership of the loop, wherein the node holds the loop.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
The node of claim 13 further comprising: determination means for determining, after sending the packet of data, whether the node has held the loop longer than a period of time; and release means for releasing the loop in response to a determination that the node has held the loop longer than the period of time and in response to detecting an indication that another node desires to access the loop.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
110 words
A data processing system comprising: a plurality of nodes; and a loop connecting the plurality of nodes, wherein a node within the plurality of nodes includes a loop manager, wherein the loop manager has a plurality of modes of operation including: a first mode of operation, responsive to the node having been opened by another node within the plurality of nodes, in which the loop manger monitors for a transfer of data; and a second mode of operation, responsive to detecting an absence of a transfer of data in the first mode of operation for more than a selected period of time, in which the loop manager closes the connection.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
110 words
A data processing system comprising: a plurality of nodes; and a loop connecting the plurality of nodes, wherein a node within the plurality of nodes includes a loop manager, wherein the loop manager has a plurality of modes of operation including: a first mode of operation, responsive to the node having been opened by another node within the plurality of nodes, in which the loop manger monitors for a transfer of data; and a second mode of operation, responsive to detecting an absence of a transfer of data in the first mode of operation for more than a selected period of time, in which the loop manager closes the connection.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
83 words
A node comprising: a connection to a loop; and a link control unit, wherein the link control unit has a plurality of modes of operation including: a first mode of operation, responsive to a condition in which data is being read for transmission to a destination, in which the link control unit makes a request to acquire the loop; and a second mode of operation, responsive to acquisition of the loop, in which the link control unit transmits the data to the destination.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
83 words
A node comprising: a connection to a loop; and a link control unit, wherein the link control unit has a plurality of modes of operation including: a first mode of operation, responsive to a condition in which data is being read for transmission to a destination, in which the link control unit makes a request to acquire the loop; and a second mode of operation, responsive to acquisition of the loop, in which the link control unit transmits the data to the destination.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
118 words
The node of claim 16 further comprising: a third mode of operation, responsive to transmission of the data in the second mode of operation, in which the link control unit determines whether the loop has been held for more than a period of time; a fourth mode of operation, responsive to the determining that the loop has been held for more than the period of time in the third mode of operation, in which the link control unit monitors for an indication that another node desires to acquire the loop; and a fourth mode of operation, responsive to detecting an indication that another node desires to access the loop, in which the link control unit releases the loop.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
The node of claim 17 further comprising: a fifth mode of operation in which the link control unit monitors for a condition in which overhead in retaining the loop is greater than overhead in releasing the loop; and a sixth mode of operation, responsive to the detecting the condition in the fifth mode of operation, in which the link control unit releases the loop.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
85 words
The node of claim 17 further comprising: a third mode of operation, responsive to a connection with the node being established by a source, in which the link control unit monitors for a transfer of data from the source to the node; and a fourth mode of operation, responsive to detecting an absence of a transfer of data for more than a selected period of time in the first mode of operation, in which the link control unit closes the connection opened by the source.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The node of claim 17 further comprising: a third mode of operation, responsive to the node being opened by a source, in which the link control unit sends data to the source.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
191 words
A chip comprising: a transmiter, wherein the transmitter transmits data to a destination; a receiver, wherein the receiver receives data from a destination; a processing unit in communications with the transmitter and the receiver, wherein the processing unit transmits and receives data using the transmitter and the receiver; a connection adapted for connection to a loop, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are connected to the connection; and a control unit, wherein the control unit control transmission of data by the transmitter and reception of data by the receiver and wherein the control unit includes: acquisition means for acquiring the loop; opening means, responsive to the acquisition means acquiring the loop, for opening a node attached to the loop, wherein the opened node is a target node; monitoring means for monitoring data transfer on the loop; determination means, responsive to transmission of a unit of data to the target node, for determining whether the loop has been held for more than a period of time; and release means for releasing the loop in response to a determination that that the loop has been held for more than the period of time.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
191 words
A chip comprising: a transmiter, wherein the transmitter transmits data to a destination; a receiver, wherein the receiver receives data from a destination; a processing unit in communications with the transmitter and the receiver, wherein the processing unit transmits and receives data using the transmitter and the receiver; a connection adapted for connection to a loop, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are connected to the connection; and a control unit, wherein the control unit control transmission of data by the transmitter and reception of data by the receiver and wherein the control unit includes: acquisition means for acquiring the loop; opening means, responsive to the acquisition means acquiring the loop, for opening a node attached to the loop, wherein the opened node is a target node; monitoring means for monitoring data transfer on the loop; determination means, responsive to transmission of a unit of data to the target node, for determining whether the loop has been held for more than a period of time; and release means for releasing the loop in response to a determination that that the loop has been held for more than the period of time.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The chip of claim 21, wherein the acquisition means acquires the loop in response to data being read for transmission by the transmitter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The chip of claim 21, wherein the acquisition means acquires the loop in response to data being available for transmission.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The chip of claim 21, wherein the opening means opens the loop by sending an open primitive onto the loop in which the primitive specifies the target node.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The chip of claim 21, wherein the data is transmitted as a frame.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The chip of claim 21, wherein the control unit includes control means, responsive to the opening means opening the target node, for allowing the transmitter to transmit a frame to the target node.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The chip of claim 21, wherein the release means releases the loop by sending a close primitive onto the loop.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
64 words
The chip of claim 21, wherein the control means further includes: second monitor means, responsive to a connection being established with the chip a source, for monitoring for a transfer of data from the source; and second closing means, responsive to detecting an absence of a transfer of data in the second monitor means, in which the connection opened by the source is closed.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The chip of claim 21, wherein the control means further includes: a control means, responsive to the apparatus being opened by a source, in which the transmitter sends data to the source.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for accessing a loop by a node, the method comprising: determining whether a connection has been established with another node having ownership of the loop for a data transfer from the another node to the node in which the another node is a destination for data from the node; and sending data over the loop from the node to the another node in response to determining whether a connection has been established with another node having ownership of the loop for a data transfer from the another node to the node in which the another node is a destination for data from the node.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for accessing a loop by a node, the method comprising: determining whether a connection has been established with another node having ownership of the loop for a data transfer from the another node to the node in which the another node is a destination for data from the node; and sending data over the loop from the node to the another node in response to determining whether a connection has been established with another node having ownership of the loop for a data transfer from the another node to the node in which the another node is a destination for data from the node.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
116 words
A data processing system for accessing a loop by a node, the data processing system comprising: determining means for determining whether a connection has been established with another node having ownership of the loop for a data transfer from the another node to the node in which the another node is a destination for data from the node; and sending means for sending data over the loop from the node to the another node in response to determining whether a connection has been established with another node having ownership of the loop for a data transfer from the another node to the node in which the another node is a destination for data from the node.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
116 words
A data processing system for accessing a loop by a node, the data processing system comprising: determining means for determining whether a connection has been established with another node having ownership of the loop for a data transfer from the another node to the node in which the another node is a destination for data from the node; and sending means for sending data over the loop from the node to the another node in response to determining whether a connection has been established with another node having ownership of the loop for a data transfer from the another node to the node in which the another node is a destination for data from the node.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 31, wherein the sending step is performed when possible.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
115 words
A node comprising: an interface configure for connection to a loop; and a link control unit, wherein the link control unit determines whether a connection has been established with another node having ownership of the loop for a data transfer from the another node to the node in which the another node is a destination for data from the node and sends data over the loop from the node to the another node in response to determining whether a connection has been established with another node having ownership of the loop for a data transfer from the another node to the node in which the another node is a destination for data from the node.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
115 words
A node comprising: an interface configure for connection to a loop; and a link control unit, wherein the link control unit determines whether a connection has been established with another node having ownership of the loop for a data transfer from the another node to the node in which the another node is a destination for data from the node and sends data over the loop from the node to the another node in response to determining whether a connection has been established with another node having ownership of the loop for a data transfer from the another node to the node in which the another node is a destination for data from the node.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
65 words
A node comprising: an interface configured for connection to a loop; a loop management control unit, wherein the loop management control unit requests the loop, transmits data over the loop in response to acquiring the loop, monitors transmission of data over loop and releases the loop in response to detecting an absence in a transfer of the data for more than a period of time.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
65 words
A node comprising: an interface configured for connection to a loop; a loop management control unit, wherein the loop management control unit requests the loop, transmits data over the loop in response to acquiring the loop, monitors transmission of data over loop and releases the loop in response to detecting an absence in a transfer of the data for more than a period of time.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
67 words
The node of claim 34, wherein the loop management control unit determines whether the loop has been held for more than a period of time, determines whether another node desires to acquire the loop in response to determining that the loop has been held for more than the period of time, and releases the loop in response to determining that another node desires to acquire the loop.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-17 | 2004-04-17 | 2004-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-17 | 2008-04-17 | 2008-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-17 | 2012-04-17 | 2012-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |