Method and system for using distributed name servers in multi-module fibre channel switches

1. A method for processing a Get Identifier (“GI_A”) command received by a switch module of a multi-module fibre channel switch with a plurality of switch modules, comprising:

determining if a domain value in the GI_A command is that of the multi-module fibre channel switch; and if the domain value is equal to that of the multi-module fibre channel switch and if the GI_A command is not sent by one of the plurality of switch modules of the multi-module fibre channel switch, then combining replies from the plurality of switch modules of the multi-module fibre channel switch with a reply of the switch module receiving the GI_A command; and

sending the combined reply to a source of the GI_A command.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

sending a reply to the GI_A command to one of the plurality of switch module of the multi-module fibre channel switch, if the one of the plurality of switch modules had sent the GI_A command.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

sending a list of domains as a reply to a source of the GI_A command, if the domain value of the GI_A command is equal to zero.

4. A method for processing a Gxx_ID command received by a switch module of a multi-module fibre channel switch with a plurality of switch modules, comprising:

determining if the Gxx_ID command is received from an N_port, if a port identification value in the Gxx_ID command is not the same port identification value for the switch module that receives the Gxx_ID command; and

sending the Gxx_ID command to a switch module from among one of the plurality of switch modules of the multi-module fibre channel switch whose port identification value matches with the port identification value in the Gxx_ID command;

determining if the Gxx_ID command is received from a fibre channel switch external to the multi-module fibre channel switch, if the Gxx_ID is not received from a N_Port; and

sending the Gxx_ID command to a switch module from among one of the plurality of switch modules of the multi-module fibre channel switch whose port identification value matches with the port identification value of the Gxx_ID command.

5. A method for processing a command that searches for a Name Server object and the command is received by a switch module of a multi-module fibre channel switch with a plurality of switch modules in a fibre channel system, comprising:

determining if the command is received from an N-Port if a search key is not found on the switch module that receives the command;

sending the command to any other fibre channel switch and the plurality of switch modules of the multi-module fibre channel switch, if the command is from an N_port; and

sending a successful reply to the command source if the successful reply is received from the other fibre channel switch and the plurality of switch modules of the multi-module fibre channel switch.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

determining if the command is received from a switch external to the multi-module fibre channel switch, if the command is not from an N_Port;

sending the command to other switch modules of the multi-module fibre channel switch, if the command was received from an external switch; and

sending an error message to a source if the command was not received from an external switch.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

sending a reply to a source of the GI_A command, if the domain value in the GI_A command is not that of the multi-module fibre channel switch.

8. A method for processing a Gxx_ID command received by a switch module of a multi-module fibre channel switch with a plurality of switch modules, comprising:

determining if the Gxx_ID command is received from an N_port, if a port identification value in the Gxx_ID command is not the same port identification value for the switch module that receives the Gxx_ID command;

sending the Gxx_ID command to a switch module from among one of the plurality of switch modules of the multi-module fibre channel switch whose port identification value matches with the port identification value in the Gxx_ID command;

determining if the Gxx_ID command is received from a fibre channel switch external to the multi-module fibre channel switch, if the Gxx_ID is not received from a N_Port, and

sending the Gxx_ID command to a switch module from among one of the plurality of switch modules of the multi-module fibre channel switch whose port identification value matches with the port identification value of the Gxx_ID command;

wherein an error response is generated and sent to the Gxx_ID command source, if the Gxx_ID command is not received from an external fibre channel switch.

9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the command is one or more of GID_PN (Get Port Identifier), GID_NN (Get Port Identifiers), GIPP_PN (Get IP address (Port)), GPN_NN (Get Port Names), GIP_NN (Get IP address (Node)), GIPA_NN (Get Initial Process Associator), GSNN_NN (Get Symbolic Node Name), GNN_IP (Get Node Name), GIPA_IP (Get Initial Process Associator), GID_FT (Get Port Identifiers), GPN_FT (Get Port Names), GNN_FT (Get Node Names), GID_PT (Get Port Identifiers), GID_IPP (Get Port Identifier), GPN_IPP (Get Port Name) and GID_FF (Get Port Identifiers).