Protocols for connecting intelligent service modules in a storage area network

Abstract

Implementations are disclosed that provide protocols for connecting an intelligent service module within a storage area network (SAN). The protocols support physical connections between the intelligent service module and a director-level switch of the SAN. In some variations, the intelligent service module may comprise a director service module (DSM), a domain-sharing leaf switch service module (LSSM), or a non-domain-sharing LSSM. The protocols provide for establishing link parameters and negotiating responsibilities between the intelligent service module and the director-level switch. In one configuration, for example, ELP and ELP_ACCEPT frames may be used to establish the link parameters. In another configuration, ESC and ESC_ACCEPT frames may be used to negotiate responsibilities between the intelligent service module and the director-level switch. Other configurations also provide an ownership status of the intelligent service module that is used to determine whether the switch can initiate management of the intelligent service module.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a switch module configured for connection to an intelligent service module that initiates an establishment of at least one link parameter at the intelligent service module and initiates a negotiation of responsibilities of a switch containing the switch module and the intelligent service module by issuing at least one attribute for provision to the intelligent service module;   wherein the switch module includes a processor, firmware, a circuit module, or a storage media.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the switch module initiates the negotiation of responsibilities by issuing an ESC frame comprising the least one attribute. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the switch module receives an ESC_ACCEPT frame confirming the at least one attribute of the intelligent service module. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the switch module initiates the establishment of link parameters by issuing an ELP frame and receives an ELP_ACCEPT frame confirming the link parameters. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the connection comprises a Fibre Channel connection. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein connection comprises an Ethernet communication connection. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one attribute comprises a federated management capable attribute. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one attribute comprises a domain-sharing capable attribute. 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising:
 an intelligent service module configured for connection to a switch module that receives a request to initiate an establishment of at least one link parameter and receives a request to initiate a negotiation of responsibilities of a switch containing the switch module by receiving at least one attribute;   wherein the intelligent service module includes a processor, firmware, a circuit module, or a storage media.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the intelligent service module receives an ESC frame comprising the least one attribute to initiate the negotiation of responsibilities. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the intelligent service module confirms the at least one attribute by issuing an ESC_ACCEPT frame confirming the at least one attribute. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the intelligent service module receives an ELP frame to initiate the establishment of link parameters and confirms the link parameters by issuing an ELP_ACCEPT frame. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the connection comprises a Fibre Channel connection. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9  wherein connection comprises an Ethernet communication connection. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the at least one attribute comprises a federated management capable attribute. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the at least one attribute comprises a domain-sharing capable attribute. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the intelligent service module assumes the link parameters of the switch. 
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 an intelligent service module; and   a connected to the intelligent service module,   wherein the switch module initiates an establishment of at least one link parameter at the intelligent service module and initiates a negotiation of responsibilities of a switch containing the switch module and the intelligent service module by issuing at least one attribute for provision to the intelligent service module,   wherein the intelligent service module receives a request to initiate an establishment of at least one link parameter from the switch module and receives a request to initiate a negotiation of responsibilities of a switch containing the switch module from the switch module by receiving at least one attribute,   wherein the switch module includes a processor, firmware, a circuit module, or a storage media, and the intelligent service module includes a processor, firmware, a circuit module, or a storage media.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the switch module initiates the negotiation of responsibilities by issuing an ESC frame comprising the least one attribute and
 wherein intelligent service module receives the ESC frame comprising the least one attribute to initiate the negotiation of responsibilities. 
 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the intelligent service module confirms the at least one attribute by issuing an ESC_ACCEPT frame confirming the at least one attribute, and
 wherein the switch module receives the ESC_ACCEPT frame confirming the at least one attribute of the intelligent service module. 
 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the switch module initiates the establishment of link parameters by issuing an ELP frame and receives an ELP_ACCEPT frame confirming the link parameters, and
 wherein the intelligent service module receives the ELP frame to initiate the establishment of link parameters and confirms the link parameters by issuing the ELP_ACCEPT frame. 
 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the connection comprises a Fibre Channel connection. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 18  wherein connection comprises an Ethernet communication connection. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the at least one attribute comprises a federated management capable attribute. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the at least one attribute comprises a domain-sharing capable attribute. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the intelligent service module assumes the link parameters of the switch.