Jeffrey E Nelson

US Patent:

6556953, Apr 29, 2003

Filed:

Apr 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/829448

Inventors:

Samuel C. Lay - Broomfield CO
Jeffrey J. Nelson - Louisville CO
James Rodgers - Boulder CO
Kenneth N. Jessop - Arvada CO

Assignee:

McData Corporation - Broomfield CO

International Classification:

H02H 305

US Classification:

702183, 714 56

Abstract:

A non-disruptive, on-line testing and switchover method and apparatus in a high availability, fiber channel switching environment. In a network having an active switching element, a redundant switching element and a port, one aspect of the present invention provides for verifying a working data path from the port to the redundant switching element, and thereafter verifying a working control path to the redundant switching element. Both verification tests take place without interrupting operation on the network. In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides for recognizing a failure occurrence in the active switching element, and thereafter switching to the redundant switching element with the potential for minimal frame loss.

US Patent:

6643602, Nov 4, 2003

Filed:

Oct 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/284120

Inventors:

Samuel C. Lay - Broomfield CO
Jeffrey J. Nelson - Louisville CO
James Rodgers - Boulder CO
Kenneth N. Jessop - Arvada CO

Assignee:

Mcdata Corporation - Broomfield CO

International Classification:

G02B 628

US Classification:

702117, 398 43

Abstract:

A non-disruptive, on-line testing and switchover method and apparatus in a high availability, fibre channel switching environment. In a network having an active switching element, a redundant switching element and a port, one aspect of the present invention provides for verifying a working data path from the port to the redundant switching element, and thereafter verifying a working control path to the redundant switching element. Both verification tests take place without interrupting operation on the network. In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides for recognizing a failure occurrence in the active switching element, and thereafter switching to the redundant switching element with the potential for minimal frame loss.

US Patent:

6728803, Apr 27, 2004

Filed:

Feb 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/502947

Inventors:

Jeffrey J. Nelson - Louisville CO
Gary R. Flauaus - Niwot CO
Daniel F. Casper - Poughkeepsie NY
Joseph C. Elliott - North Creek NY
Catherine C. Huang - Poughkeepsie NY
John R. Flanagan - Poughkeepsie NY
Louis W. Ricci - Hyde Park NY

Assignee:

McData Corporation - Broomfield CO

International Classification:

G06F 506

US Classification:

710 60, 710 36, 370398, 370466

Abstract:

A data communication architecture including a plurality of devices having input/output (I/O) ports supporting communication at a first rate and a data processor having a number of I/O ports where each I/O port supports data communication at a second data rate. The second data rate is at least double the first data rate. A communication link coupled to one of the data processor I/O ports supports the second data rate. A bridge device is coupled to the communication link and to the I/O ports of the plurality of devices. The bridge device translates the communication link at the second data rate to a plurality of communication links at the first data rate, where the plurality of communication links at the first data rate are substantially independent of each other.

US Patent:

6804245, Oct 12, 2004

Filed:

Aug 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/932349

Inventors:

William J. Mitchem - Westminster CO
Jeffrey J. Nelson - Louisville CO

Assignee:

McData Corporation - Broomfield CO

International Classification:

H04L 1254

US Classification:

37039531, 370397, 370423, 370428, 370401

Abstract:

A central route table design in a fiber channel switch for providing one location for D_ID and exit port combinations. The fiber channel switch has a plurality of ports, each are coupled to the central route look-up table.

US Patent:

6862293, Mar 1, 2005

Filed:

Nov 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/010813

Inventors:

Samuel C. Lay - Superior CO, US
Jeffrey J. Nelson - Louisville CO, US

Assignee:

McData Corporation - Broomfield CO

International Classification:

H04L012/50
H04Q011/00
H04J003/02

US Classification:

370420, 370360, 370428, 370463, 370537

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for providing link aggregation and 10. 2 gigabit per second throughput in a Fibre Channel fabric. One aspect of the present invention provides a port module for receiving a 10. 2 gigabit link on a fiber interface and providing trunking of a plurality links on the backplane, wherein the backplane is coupled to a switching element. In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides a first port module coupled to a switching element for receiving a 10. 2 gigabit link from a fabric on a fiber interface and thereafter transmitting fiber channel frames to a second port module coupled to the switching element that interfaces to the fabric at 10. 2 gigabits, thereby providing 10. 2 gigabit to 10. 2 gigabit throughput from the first port module to the second port module.

US Patent:

6941252, Sep 6, 2005

Filed:

Mar 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/809996

Inventors:

Jeffrey J. Nelson - Louisville CO, US
Robert Grant - Toronto, CA
Stephen Trevitt - Gormley, CA

Assignee:

McDATA Corporation - Broomfield CO

International Classification:

G06F017/10
G06F007/60
H04J003/12

US Classification:

703 2, 703 13, 370509, 370520

Abstract:

A method and system for aggregating a plurality of links to simulate a unitary connection among one or more nodes in a fibre channel system includes means for striping data frames across the links. One or more programmable hardware mechanisms, operatively connectable to the links and to nodes in the fabric, also are provided. A program for collecting information about variable link characteristics is included. Programmable hardware mechanisms provide in-order delivery of data frames across the links despite the variable link characteristics.

US Patent:

6975623, Dec 13, 2005

Filed:

Mar 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/798818

Inventors:

Jeffrey J. Nelson - Louisville CO, US
Gary R. Flauaus - Broomfield CO, US
Daniel F. Casper - Poughkeepsie NY, US
Joseph C. Elliott - North Creek NY, US
Catherine C. Huang - Poughkeepsie NY, US
John R. Flanagan - Poughkeepsie NY, US
Louis W. Ricci - Hyde Park NY, US

Assignee:

McDATA Corporation - Broomfield CO

International Classification:

H04L012/66

US Classification:

370352, 370401

Abstract:

A data communication architecture including a plurality of devices having input/output (I/O) ports supporting communication at a first rate and a data processor having a number of I/O ports where each I/O port supports data communication at a second data rate. The second data rate is at least double the first data rate. A communication link coupled to one of the data processor I/O ports supports the second data rate. A bridge device is coupled to the communication link and to the I/O ports of the plurality of devices. The bridge device translates the communication link at the second data rate to a plurality of communication links at the first data rate, where the plurality of communication links at the first data rate are substantially independent of each other.

US Patent:

61920487, Feb 20, 2001

Filed:

Oct 2, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/942506

Inventors:

Jeffrey J. Nelson - Louisville CO
James P. Fugere - Boulder CO
Ken N. Jessop - Arvada CO

Assignee:

McData Corporation - Broomfield CO

International Classification:

H04L 1250

US Classification:

370380

Abstract:

A method and apparatus which obviates the throughput limitations retries generated by busy conditions of conventional switches which are limited to but a single path between any two ports through the use of a "hunt group" concept whereby multiple paths can be provided between a participating group member and another port. These multiple paths may be associated in groups of, for example, eight, with each grouping of eight paths then comprising a "hunt group" whereby the first available member of the hunt group will be selected to enable the connection should the first be "busy". The particular embodiment disclosed comprises a plurality of sequentially organized hunt groups starting on a boundary of eight associated with ports 0-7, 8-15,. . . through 248-255.