Patent ID: 6381642
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method enabling a host computer to obtain predetermined operational statistics relative to specified operating parameters of a plurality of ports of a fibre channel switch, wherein said host computer is connected to at least one port of said fibre channel switch, the method comprising the steps of:providing a management director at said fibre channel switch; generating a set command at said host computer; said set command defining one or more ports of said fibre channel switch for which operational statistics are to be obtained; said set command also defining one or more port operating parameters that are to be obtained relative to said defined one or more ports of said fibre channel switch; transmitting said set command in-band to said management director; responding to said set command at said management director and establishing one or more one statistical counters in accordance for each of said defined one or more ports of said fibre channel switch in accordance with said one or more defined port operating parameters; said one of more statistical counters thereafter operating to monitor said defined port operating parameters; generating a read command at said host computer; transmitting said read command in-band to said management director; responding to said read command at said management director and generating a port information record in accordance with a count content of each of said defined one or more statistical counters; said port information record containing a statistical counter record for each of said established one or more one of more statistical counters; said statistical counter records recording port operating parameters in accordance with said defined port operating parameters; and transmitting said port information record in-band to said host computer.