Patent ID: 6263374
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
An adapter not requiring a local processor or software, comprising:transmission means for transmitting and for converting an unpacketized data message sent between a multistage switch network operating under a switch protocol and a node operating under a bus protocol that is different from the switch protocol, the switch protocol including a parallel data transmission format wherein a plurality of bits of the data message are transmitted in parallel,said node including:a processor coupled to a bus, the bus including a plurality of bus lines; andmeans for receiving and sending said data message over the bus;said transmission means comprising:a receive buffer for storing a complete data message sent from the multi-stage switch network;a send buffer for storing a complete data message sent from the node;a clockless switch interface for coupling the adapter to the multi-stage switch network;a bus interface for coupling the adapter to the bus; andsaid adapter comprising a retry means where the adapter automatically without processor intervention continues to resend a message until a positive indication is received back over the network that the message has been received without error.