Michael E Starling

US Patent:

8065571, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

Oct 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/250605

Inventors:

Louie A. Dickens - Tucson AZ, US
Olive P. Faries - Tucson AZ, US
Michael E. Starling - Tucson AZ, US
David L. Binning - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G11C 29/00
G01R 31/28
G01R 29/26
H04B 3/46
H04J 3/06

US Classification:

714715, 714712, 714741, 702 36, 375226, 375371, 370516

Abstract:

A tester that generates various data patterns to assure that link receivers and transmitters are functioning properly (i. e. , are functioning according to a relevant network specification) across the entire storage area network. In various embodiments, this tester may be used in Fibre Channel type SANs or in fiber connectivity (FICON) type SANs.

US Patent:

8463923, Jun 11, 2013

Filed:

Jul 28, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/845625

Inventors:

Kevin D. Butt - Tucson AZ, US
Louie A. Dickens - Tucson AZ, US
Laurence W. Holley - Tucson AZ, US
Antonio Y. Pacheco - Vail AZ, US
Nancy V. Ryson - Tucson AZ, US
Michael E. Starling - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709229, 709220, 709225, 370254, 370400

Abstract:

Exemplary method, system, and computer program embodiments for managing a computing environment are provided. In one embodiment, a plurality of information, including each of an available plurality of devices, an interconnected plurality of communication paths, and quality of service (QoS) information, is gathered for at least one of the available plurality of devices and the interconnected plurality of communication paths. The plurality of information is organized into a plurality of zones according to a zoning methodology. One of an available plurality of checking operations is performed to verify consistency of the plurality of information, including performing a real-time zone checking operation to determine that at least one of the plurality of zones is functional. The plurality of information, including the at least one of the plurality of zones, is displayed to the user via a graphical user interface (GUI).

US Patent:

8549130, Oct 1, 2013

Filed:

Dec 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/962856

Inventors:

Kevin D. Butt - Tucson AZ, US
Louie A. Dickens - Tucson AZ, US
Olive P. Faries - Tucson AZ, US
Laurence W. Holley - Tucson AZ, US
Nancy V. Ryson - Tucson AZ, US
Michael E. Starling - Tucson AZ, US
Daniel J. Winarski - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H04L 12/56

US Classification:

709223, 709238, 370412, 370401

Abstract:

Exemplary method, system, and computer program embodiments for managing a network are provided. In one embodiment, at least one of an available plurality of network components is polled, including devices, hosts and virtual devices, an interconnected plurality of communication paths, and quality of service (QoS) information in a discovery process for network information. A graphical representation of the at least one of the available plurality of network components is created for presentation by a graphical user interface (GUI) to a user. Based on a selection of the user of at least one attribute of the at least one of the available plurality of network components as displayed by the GUI to the user, a zone is created for the at least one of the available plurality of network components.

US Patent:

20090296796, Dec 3, 2009

Filed:

May 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/130265

Inventors:

Louie Arthur Dickens - Tucson AZ, US
Olive Paige Faries - Tucson AZ, US
Michael Starling - Tucson AZ, US
David L. Binning - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

International Business Machine Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H04B 17/00
G06F 11/30

US Classification:

375226, 370241

Abstract:

A method and apparatus that is configured to issue an echo extended link service with a payload of data patterns that are known in the art of fibre channel to produce jitter. The inventive apparatus is configured to use an echo extended link service to send data with a specified data pattern. Failing data patterns are compared against data patterns that are known in the art of fibre channel to create jitter and the results may be presented to the user.

US Patent:

20120039331, Feb 16, 2012

Filed:

Aug 10, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/854055

Inventors:

Tara Astigarraga - Tucson AZ, US
Louie A. Dickens - Tucson AZ, US
Cam-Thuy Do - Sunnyvale CA, US
Laurence W. Holley - Tucson AZ, US
Michael E. Starling - Tucson AZ, US
Daniel J. Winarski - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H04L 12/56

US Classification:

370389

Abstract:

A path selection module selects at least two fibre channel paths between a fibre channel host and a fibre channel destination. A trace route module performs one or more fibre channel trace route procedures for each of the at least two fibre channel paths. The trace route module provides a set of fibre channel links between the fibre channel host and the fibre channel destination for each of the at least two fibre channel paths. A record registration module registers with one or more event servers to receive link incident records for the fibre channel links in the sets of fibre channel links.

US Patent:

20120039604, Feb 16, 2012

Filed:

Aug 10, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/854048

Inventors:

Louie A. Dickens - Tucson AZ, US
Roger G. Hathorn - Tucson AZ, US
Richard Hutzler - Ocean Shores WA, US
Michael E. Starling - Tucson AZ, US
Daniel J. Winarski - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H04J 14/00

US Classification:

398 46

Abstract:

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for handling data being communicated over lossless Ethernet that is sensitive to delays. Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) is one example of an environment where data may be subject to unacceptable delays. The method involves designating certain data as low latency data that is sensitive to delays in transmission. The low latency data is then transmitted in such a manner that the receiving devices are aware that they are receiving low latency data. If a delay in the transmission of low latency is detected, commands are issued that pause or slow standard data in order to free up bandwidth for the low latency data. The commands may be, for example, backward congestion notifications and priority flow control. Low latency data is exempted from backward congestion notifications and priority flow control. Priority priority group may be reserved exclusively for low latency data.

US Patent:

20120106558, May 3, 2012

Filed:

Oct 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/916405

Inventors:

Louie A. Dickens - Tucson AZ, US
Roger G. Hathorn - Tucson AZ, US
Michael E. Starling - Tucson AZ, US
Daniel J. Winarski - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H04L 12/56

US Classification:

370401

Abstract:

Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for a bridge for implementing a converged network protocol to facilitate communication between different communication protocol networks. A first adaptor implements a first communication protocol and a second adaptor implementing a converged network protocol, wherein the converged network protocol facilitates communication of packets encoded with a second communication protocol with a third communication protocol network. Parameters are configured in a memory for communication between the first adaptor and the second adaptor in the converged network protocol to indicate to the second adaptor that the converged network protocol is supported, wherein the first adaptor does not support the converged network protocol. A packet is received at the first adaptor encoded in the second communication protocol directed to the third communication protocol network. The packet is forwarded to the second adaptor to forward to the third communication protocol network. A command is received at the second adaptor, directed to the first adaptor, to implement a function in the converged network protocol for communication between the first and second adaptors. Operations are performed to implement the function using the parameters in the memory to support transmission of packets between the first and the second adaptors.

US Patent:

20120254452, Oct 4, 2012

Filed:

May 15, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/472123

Inventors:

Louie A. Dickens - Tucson AZ, US
Roger G. Hathorn - Tucson AZ, US
Michael E. Starling - Tucson AZ, US
Daniel J. Winarski - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709228

Abstract:

A first adaptor implements a first communication protocol and a second adaptor implements a converged network protocol, which facilitates communication of packets encoded with a second communication protocol with a third communication protocol network. Parameters are configured in a memory for communication between the first adaptor and the second adaptor in the converged network protocol to indicate to the second adaptor that the converged network protocol is supported, wherein the first adaptor does not support the converged network protocol. A packet is received at the first adaptor encoded in the second communication protocol and forwarded to the second adaptor to forward to the third communication protocol network. A command is received at the second adaptor, directed to the first adaptor, to implement a function in the converged network protocol using the parameters in the memory to support transmission of packets between the first and the second adaptors.