Patent ID: 7020715

Claim:
A method for generating one or more Ethernet frames having a maximum length and a maximum payload from a Fibre Channel (“FC”) frame having a frame length and for transmitting said FC frame over an Ethernet network to an intended destination, said method comprising the steps of: (a) determining whether said frame length is smaller than said maximum payload and if so generating an Ethernet frame wherein its payload comprises said FC frame and transmitting said Ethernet frame including said FC frame over said Ethernet network to said intended destination, and if not then performing steps (b) through (f); (b) dividing said FC frame into at least a first FC fragment and a second FC fragment, wherein each of said first FC fragment and said second FC fragment is smaller than said maximum payload; (c) generating a storage transport layer field comprising said frame length; (d) generating a first Ethernet frame comprising said storage transport layer field and said first FC fragment; (e) generating a second Ethernet frame comprising said second FC fragment; and (f) transmitting said first Ethernet frame and said second Ethernet frame including said first FC fragment and said second FC fragment therein over said Ethernet network to enable said first FC fragment and said second FC fragment to be reassembled at said intended destination.