Patent ID: 7949789
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: transmitting a K character encoded in a small computer system interface (SAS) protocol across a first communications link; receiving the transmitted K character at a first interface between the first communications link and a second communications link; converting, by a processor, the K character encoded in the SAS protocol to a D character encoded in a fiber channel protocol, wherein the K character is also defined for encoding in the fiber channel protocol; adding a fiber channel header to the beginning of a SAS traffic segment to create a fiber channel frame, wherein the fiber channel header indicates uncategorized information category in a R_CTL field; subsequent to adding the fiber channel header, transmitting the D character across the second communications link; receiving the D character at a second interface between the second communications link and a third communications link; converting the D character back to the K character; and transmitting the K character across the third communications link in the SAS protocol.