Patent ID: 7944812
Filing Date: 2011-05-17
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for detecting a switch failure and managing switch failover in a Fibre Channel over Ethernet network, the computer implemented method comprising: establishing an Ethernet connection between a plurality of Fibre Channel over Ethernet switches in the Fibre Channel over Ethernet network, wherein the plurality of Fibre Channel over Ethernet switches are also connected to an intermediary Ethernet switch via the Ethernet connection, wherein the intermediary Ethernet switch is different from the plurality of Fibre Channel over Ethernet switches, wherein a plurality of end ports are also connected to the intermediary Ethernet switch, wherein direct connection is avoided among the plurality of Fibre Channel over Ethernet switches and the plurality of end ports; detecting a failure in a first switch in the plurality of Fibre Channel over Ethernet switches, wherein the first switch is associated with a first end port in the plurality of end ports, wherein detecting the failure in the first switch comprises detecting, by a second switch in the plurality of Fibre Channel over Ethernet switches, the failure in the first switch; sending, by the second switch, a failure notification to the plurality of end ports and to the plurality of Fibre Channel over Ethernet switches other than the first switch using the intermediary Ethernet switch, wherein the failure notification at least indicates that the first end port needs to rediscover another functioning Fibre Channel switch in the plurality of Fibre Channel over Ethernet switches, and wherein the failure notification further includes an identification of the first switch; and exchanging a fabric login exchange between the first end port and the another functioning Fibre Channel switch.