Method and apparatus to reduce serial communications path connection overhead
USRE40034E1 · kind E1 · reissue
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC —)General
Abstract
Control of a loop of a fiber-channel arbitrated-loop serial communications channel is maintained (i.e., the loop connection is held open) as long as a minimum amount of data, which optionally is determined by programming (called a “programmable amount of data”), is available for transmission, in order to reduce the overall amount of time spent arbitrating for control of the loop. The improved communications channel system includes a channel node having one or more ports, each port supporting a fiber-channel arbitrated-loop serial communications channel loop, wherein each port arbitrates for control of that port's attached channel loop. The system also includes an arbitration-and-control apparatus to reduce arbitrated-loop overhead, wherein control of the channel loop, once control is achieved by arbitration, is maintained by the arbitration-and-control apparatus as long as a predetermined amount of data is available within control of the node. In addition, a method to reduce arbitrated-loop overhead is described. Control of a serial communications path is maintained (i.e., the connection is held open) as long as a minimum amount of data, which optionally is determined by programmin…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.