IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,391,926
Granted Patent B2
US 9,391,926 · App. 13/662,145 · Granted Jul 12, 2016

Systems and methods for stacking fibre channel switches with fibre channel over ethernet stacking links

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,391,926
App. No.
13/662,145
Granted
Jul 12, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes systems and methods for expanding the port count in a single Fiber Channel domain by adding modular Fiber Channel switches. Such a system includes a system enclosure that contains a plurality of Fiber Channel modules configured to send and receive Fiber Channel packets, the Fiber Channel modules providing a plurality of Fiber Channel ports and a switch processor coupled to the plurality of Fiber Channel ports and to a plurality of Ethernet ports. The switch processor is configured to apply a stacking header to Fiber Channel packets for transmission from one of the plurality of Ethernet ports over a stacking link to another switch processor in another system enclosure.

Claims (45)

1. An information handling system comprising:

a system enclosure, the system enclosure containing:

a plurality of Fibre Channel modules configured to send and receive Fibre Channel packets, the plurality of Fibre Channel modules providing a plurality of Fibre Channel ports;

a switch processor coupled to the plurality of Fibre Channel ports and to a plurality of Ethernet ports, wherein the switch processor is configured to:

receive a Fibre Channel packet on one of the plurality of Fibre Channel ports;

encapsulate the Fibre Channel packet in a Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) packet;

encapsulate the FCoE packet in an Ethernet packet;

encapsulate the Ethernet packet in a packet with a stacking header; and

forward the packet with the stacking header to another switch processor in a same Fibre Channel domain over a stacking link;

wherein the stacking header comprises an identifier of the another switch processor.

2. The information handling system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of Fibre Channel modules is provided by an application specific integrated processor.

3. The information handling system of claim 1 , wherein the switch processor is further configured to apply a VLAN header to the FCoE packet before encapsulating it in the Ethernet packet.

4. The information handling system of claim 1 , further comprising a lookup table associating a media access control (MAC) address with each of the plurality of Fibre Channel ports.

5. An information handling system comprising:

a first Fibre Channel switch and a second Fibre Channel switch in a storage area network; and

a stacking link connecting the first Fibre Channel switch to the second Fibre Channel switch, the first and second Fibre Channel switches being in a same Fibre Channel domain and further being configured to:

receive Fibre Channel packets;

encapsulate the Fibre Channel packets in Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) packets;

encapsulate the FCoE packets in Ethernet packets;

encapsulate the Ethernet packets in packets with a stacking header; and

forward the packets with the stacking header over the stacking link;

wherein:

when the stacking header is applied by the first Fibre Channel switch, the stacking header comprises an identifier of the second Fibre Channel switch; and

when the stacking header is applied by the second Fibre Channel switch, the stacking header comprises an identifier of the first Fibre Channel switch.

6. The information handling system of claim 5 , further comprising:

a Fibre Channel host connected to the first Fibre Channel switch; and

a Fibre Channel storage array connected to the second Fibre Channel switch.

7. The information handling system of claim 5 , wherein the first Fibre Channel switch is configured as a master Fibre Channel switch and the second Fibre Channel switch is configured as a member Fibre Channel switch.

8. The information handling system of claim 5 , further comprising a third Fibre Channel switch, the third Fibre Channel switch being connected to the second Fibre Channel switch by an additional stacking link, and wherein the third Fibre Channel switch is also in the same Fibre Channel domain.

9. The information handling system of claim 5 , wherein the Fibre Channel packets are sent according to a routing protocol other than fabric shortest path first (FSPF) protocol.

10. The information handling system of claim 5 , wherein the first Fibre Channel switch comprises a first lookup table, and the second Fibre Channel switch comprises a second lookup table, wherein both the first and second lookup tables contain a mapping of media access control (MAC) addresses and a plurality of Fibre Channel ports included in each of the first and second Fibre Channel switches.

11. The information handling system of claim 5 , wherein the stacking header contains an indication of relative packet priority of the packets with the stacking header.

12. A method for providing inter-switch communication in a Fibre Channel domain, the method comprising:

receiving a Fibre Channel packet at a data port of a first Fibre Channel switch;

encapsulating the Fibre Channel packet in a Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) packet;

encapsulating the FCoE packet in an Ethernet packet;

encapsulating the Ethernet packet in a packet with a stacking header; and

transmitting the packet with the stacking header to a second Fibre Channel switch in a same Fibre Channel domain over a stacking link;

wherein the stacking header comprises an identifier of the second Fibre Channel switch.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising adding a VLAN header to the FCoE packet before encapsulating it in the Ethernet packet.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein a third Fibre Channel switch is in the Fibre Channel domain and is connected to the second Fibre Channel switch by an additional stacking link; and further comprising:

receiving the packet with the stacking header at the second Fibre Channel switch; and

transmitting the packet with the stacking header from the second Fibre Channel switch over the additional stacking link to the third Fibre Channel switch in the Fibre Channel domain.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first, second, and third Fibre Channel switches are structurally separate switches.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the stacking header contains information on a relative packet priority of the packet with the stacking header.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: DELL USA L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2012
From: DESAI, HIREN A.; SHAH, HARESH K.; SUBRAMANIAN, KRISHNAMURTHY; SUNDARARAMAN, SWAMINATHAN; KOTHA, SAIKRISHNA M.
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 029203/0155 →