Fibre Channel Emulator Using Ethernet for Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hardware and software emulation environments for mainframe computers require expensive connections to Input/Output (I/O) devices, such as Fibre Channel connections, which are costly and inefficient for testing and operations.
Innovation Solution
A Fibre Channel emulator system that uses an Ethernet connection as an incompatible connection mechanism to emulate Fibre Channel communication between a workstation and a data storage device, allowing for virtual Fibre Channel connections, thereby reducing costs and enabling testing without actual Fibre Channel hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a Fibre Channel connection is used to connect the workstation and data storage device, then communication compatibility and protocol adherence are improved, but connection cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Fibre Channel emulator as an intermediary component that translates between Ethernet protocol and Fibre Channel protocol. The emulator includes a Fibre Channel protocol converter that receives Ethernet frames from the workstation, translates them into Fibre Channel commands, and forwards them to the data storage device, thereby maintaining protocol compatibility without requiring expensive Fibre Channel hardware connections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the Fibre Channel connection environment through software emulation. The Fibre Channel emulator replicates the functionality and protocol behavior of actual Fibre Channel hardware, allowing the workstation to communicate as if it were connected via genuine Fibre Channel infrastructure, while using cheaper Ethernet physical connections
2Reliability
If actual Fibre Channel hardware is used for data storage device connection, then protocol compatibility is improved, but cost and availability for testing decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical Fibre Channel hardware connection system with a software-based emulation system. Instead of requiring actual Fibre Channel cables, connectors, and hardware interfaces, the solution uses software running on standard Ethernet infrastructure to replicate Fibre Channel protocol behavior, making testing accessible with common networking equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The Fibre Channel emulator is designed to be universally applicable across different testing scenarios and hardware configurations. It can emulate various Fibre Channel device types and protocols, work with different workstation platforms, and run on standard Ethernet networks, providing a single versatile solution for multiple testing needs without requiring specialized Fibre Channel hardware for each scenario
Data Source
AI summary
Emulating a Fiber Channel connection to a workstation includes providing a first Fiber Channel emulator that exchanges data between the workstation and a data storage device using a connection mechanism between the workstation and the data storage device, wherein the connection mechanism is incompatible with a Fiber Channel connection and handling emulator events received at the emulator, wherein the events include message events, state events, and driver events. The first Fiber Channel emulator may act as an I/O subsystem providing FICON communication capability. The connection mechanism may be an Ethernet connection. The first Fiber Channel emulator may send a message to a link layer which sends a message to an SLI driver which builds a ring queue message and passes the message to an emulated hardware layer which packages up the message indicating status. The message may be sent using the connection mechanism.