Patent ID: 7702717

Claim:
A communication node connected to a packet-switched data input/output network, the node comprising: a host channel adapter that provides a communication interface between the network and the node; a host computer that runs a host operating system and includes a host processor; a service processor that performs supervisory operations including the configuration and management of components of the host computer, wherein one of the host processor and the service processor runs a subnet management agent software routine that configures components of the node in response to predetermined network management instructions; and a hierarchical control system that, when implemented, moves the subnet management agent from one to the other of the host processor and the service processor, the control system comprising: a packet data buffer configured to receive packet data from the network, the packet data comprising at least the management instructions; a first register that maintains a representation indicative of the component currently charged with the processing of the management instructions and is written to by one of the host processor and the service processor to dynamically change the component currently charged with the processing of the management instructions; a second register operatively connected to the first register that maintains a representation indicative of the default component charged with initial receipt of the management instructions; a third register configured to receive an enable signal from the network wherein the enable signal triggers a clock cycle in the first register, the second register and the packet data buffer; and a multiplexer operatively connected to the first register and the packet data buffer; wherein, upon receipt of the enable signal, the packet data and the representation maintained in the first register are loaded into the multiplexer such that the multiplexer controls the flow of the packet data to the component currently charged with the processing of the management instructions.