Patent ID: 8316161
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for indicating a state associated with a device comprising: receiving a request over a path for information about a device; sending a response to said request, said response indicating a state regarding said device on said path, said response having a response status of good and having a payload of a varying size, said payload being truncated at a location prior to that at which a device, identifier for said device is expected; and determining, in accordance with said response having the payload truncated at a location prior to that at which the device identifier for the device is expected and having the response status of good, a state regarding said device on said path, said state indicating a passive status with respect to said device and said path thereby indicating that said path is not available for sending I/O operations to said device and available for use in performing control operations directed to said device.