Method and structure for supporting flow control by a SCSI initiator during the data out phase of the packetized SCSI protocol

1. A method for supporting flow control by a SCSI initiator using a Packetized SCSI Protocol, said method comprising:

transmitting a data packet information unit in a Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase by said SCSI initiator following receiving a header packet information unit, in a Packetized SCSI Protocol Data In phase, by said SCSI initiator from a SCSI target wherein information is exchanged between said SCSI initiator and said SCSI target either in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase or in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data In phase; and

receiving a signal by said SCSI initiator, in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase during transfer of said data packet information unit, to indicate whether another data packet information unit is to be transmitted by said SCSI initiator in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase wherein said signal is generated by said SCSI target on a SCSI bus.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said receiving a signal further comprises:

receiving said signal from a parity signal line of a said SCSI bus.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said receiving a signal further comprises:

interpreting an asserted signal, from said parity signal line, to indicate another data packet information unit is not to be transmitted in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said receiving a signal further comprises:

interpreting an asserted signal, on a line of said SCSI bus, to indicate that another data packet information unit is not to be transmitted in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase.

5. A method comprising:

transmitting a plurality of data packet information units, one immediately after another, by a SCSI initiator in a Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase following receiving a header packet information unit, in a Packetized SCSI Protocol Data In phase, by said SCSI initiator from a SCSI target wherein information is exchanged between said SCSI initiator and said SCSI target either in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase or in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data In phase; and

monitoring a signal level, from a SCSI target, on a parity line of a SCSI bus by said SCSI initiator to determine whether said transmitting a plurality of data packet information units is to be terminated.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

determining whether a signal on said parity line has been asserted during said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase.

7. A method comprising:

transmitting a data packet information unit in a Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase by a SCSI initiator following receiving a header packet information unit, in a Packetized SCSI Protocol Data In phase, by said SCSI initiator from a SCSI target wherein information is exchanged between said SCSI initiator and said SCSI target either in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase or in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data In phase; and

determining, by said SCSI initiator, whether another data packet information unit is to be transmitted in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase by monitoring a signal level, from said SCSI target, on a parity line of a SCSI bus.

8. The method of claim 7 where said determining further comprising:

interpreting an asserted signal on said parity line to indicate not to transmit another data packet information unit in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

transmitting another data packet information unit by a SCSI initiator in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase upon determining said signal level did not change.

10. A SCSI initiator device comprising:

a flow control module configured to perform a method comprising:

transmitting a data packet information unit in a Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase following receiving a header packet information unit, in a Packetized SCSI Protocol Data In phase, by said SCSI initiator from a SCSI target wherein information is exchanged between said SCSI initiator and said SCSI target either in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase or in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data In phase;

monitoring a signal, from said SCSI target, on a parity bit line of a SCSI bus, in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase, by said SCSI initiator to determine whether another data packet information unit is to be transmitted in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase; and

interpreting an asserted signal on said parity bit line to indicate said another data packet information unit is not to be transmitted in said Packetized SCSI Protocol Data Out phase.