Patent ID: 7599360

Claim:
A method implemented on a network device for use in a storage area network, the method comprising: receiving or generating a packet or frame compatible with a standard protocol employed in the storage area network, the packet or frame including a first header; encapsulating the packet or frame with a virtual storage area network identifier, a type of traffic to be carried by the packet or frame, and information specifying at least one of a TTL value or MPLS information, wherein encapsulating comprises appending a second header to the packet or frame to create a new packet or frame, wherein the second header includes fields for the virtual storage area network identifier and information specifying at least one of the TTL value or the MPLS information, wherein the second header further includes a field specifying the type of traffic to be carried by the packet or frame, wherein the type of traffic to be carried by the packet or frame is one of two or more available types of traffic, wherein the two or more available types of traffic include at least one of Ethernet, fibre channel, or Infiniband; and sending the encapsulated packet or frame.