Patent ID: 7047346

Claim:
A method in a data processing system for transferring data from a plurality of host data links to at least one local data link, the method comprising the steps of: initializing a data bridge, wherein the data bridge is functionally connected on a first end to the plurality of host data links and on a second end to the at least one local data link, and wherein all connections to the data bridge are made through fibre channel ports; operating the data bridge to capture credit parameters, for use in determining if a first data link within the plurality of host data links and a second data link within the at least one local data link initiate a login parameter; and automatically transferring the data from a source data link within the plurality of host data links to a target data link within the at least one local data link based on the login parameter, wherein the data transferred from the source data link is stored in a memory buffer device, and wherein the memory buffer device is connected to the data bridge.