Patent ID: 7519089
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method in a channel adapter, the method comprising: receiving a link management packet from a link partner and in response selecting, according to Infiniband™ protocol, a selected active link width of a physical link; setting a multiplexer circuit, configured for selectively switching frame data of a prescribed maximum link width to a selected one of a plurality of available link widths, to the selected active link width; receiving the frame data from an output buffer according to the prescribed maximum link width; and outputting the frame data from the multiplexer circuit to a transmit bus according to the selected active link width; wherein the multiplexer circuit includes a first multiplexer for outputting the frame data onto a first output according to a first of the available link widths, and a second multiplexer circuit, distinct from the first multiplexer, configured for switching the frame data onto a second output according to a second of the available link widths, the setting step including selecting one of the output buffer, the first output, and or the second output for transfer of the frame data according to the selected active link width.