Switch element for fiber channel networks
US5519695A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 21, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 27, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/44
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for facilitating data communications in a fiber channel network is presented. The system comprises a fiber optic switch element which enables implementation of a Fiber Channel network by permitting selective interconnection of a plurality of fiber optic channels. The fiber optic switch element permits both circuit and frame switching. The switch element comprises a switch module which is connected to at least one fabric-port within the fiber channel fabric. The switch module allocates switching bandwidth. A path allocation system, which is connected to the switch module, generally directs frames of data between the at least one fabric-port to other fabric-ports located within the fabric. A channel module comprising a port intelligence mechanism is disposed between the switch module and the fabric-ports. An element controller provides centralized fabric management.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.