Methods, apparatus, and systems, for transporting data units comprising multiple pieces of transaction data over high-speed interconnects. A flow control unit, called a KTI (Keizer Technology Interface) Flit, is implemented in a coherent multi-layer protocol supporting coherent memory transactions. The KTI Flit has a basic format that supports use of configurable fields to implement KTI Flits with specific formats that may be used for corresponding transactions. In one aspect, the KTI Flit may be formatted as multiple slots used to support transfer of multiple respective pieces of transaction data in a single Flit. The KTI Flit can also be configured to support various types of transactions and multiple KTI Flits may be combined into packets to support transfer of data such as cache line transfers.

Techniques for transmitting data may comprise: receiving a first data transfer rate indicating a communication rate at which a first entity communicates with a second entity over a communications fabric; receiving a second data transfer rate indicating a communication rate at which the second entity communicates with the first entity over the communications fabric; and performing first processing to send first data from the first entity to the second entity over the communications fabric, said first processing including: determining whether the first data transfer rate is greater than the second data transfer rate; and responsive to determining the first data transfer rate is greater than the second transfer rate, performing second processing by the first entity that controls and limits, in accordance with the second data transfer rate, a rate at which the first data is transmitted from the first entity to the second entity.

Systems and methods for managing a production server using a storage array. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a storage array may include a memory coupled to a processor, the memory having program instructions configured to cause and/or enable the storage array to: receive hardware information from a multipath input/output (MPIO) module of each of a plurality of production servers in communication with the storage array; provide the hardware information to a management server in communication with the storage array; receive a command from the management server targeting a selected production server; and transmit the command to a selected MPIO module of the selected production server.

Systems, methods, and apparatus are described that enable single-cycle pre-emption on a serial bus. An apparatus is coupled to a serial bus through a bus interface and includes a controller configured to provide a clock signal on the first line of the serial bus, transmit data on a second line of the serial bus in accordance with timing provided by the clock signal, cause the line driver to enter a high impedance state after transmitting a first edge in the clock signal while transmitting the data on the second line, detect a first pulse on the clock signal while the line driver is in the high impedance state, cause the line driver to exit the high impedance state prior to transmitting a second edge in the clock signal, and initiate bus arbitration after detecting the first pulse. The first edge and the second edge may transition in opposite directions.

Disclosed embodiments include a network switch having a first group of switch elements and a second group of switch elements. The second group of switch elements is cross-connected to the first group of switch elements to passively route network traffic through the network switch in accordance with a predefined configuration.

A RAID storage management system includes a plurality of RAID storage devices and a controller configured to manage the plurality of RAID storage devices. The RAID storage management system also includes at least one expander operatively connected to the controller and operatively connected to the plurality of RAID storage devices. The expander is configured to receive a request from the controller for a RAID operation. The expander is also configured to, upon receiving the request, operate to assist the controller in performing the requested RAID operation.

Methods, apparatus, and systems, for transporting data units comprising multiple pieces of transaction data over high-speed interconnects. A flow control unit, called a KTI (Keizer Technology Interface) Flit, is implemented in a coherent multi-layer protocol supporting coherent memory transactions. The KTI Flit has a basic format that supports use of configurable fields to implement KTI Flits with specific formats that may be used for corresponding transactions. In one aspect, the KTI Flit may be formatted as multiple slots used to support transfer of multiple respective pieces of transaction data in a single Flit. The KTI Flit can also be configured to support various types of transactions and multiple KTI Flits may be combined into packets to support transfer of data such as cache line transfers.

Disclosed embodiments include a network switch having a first number of switch elements and a second number of switch elements cross-connected to the first switch elements to passively route network traffic through the network switch in accordance with a predefined configuration.

A data reception apparatus connected to a data transmission apparatus via transmission paths includes: error detection circuits that are each provided for each of the transmission paths and that each detect an error in received data that has been received from the data transmission apparatus; storage circuits that are each provided for each of the transmission paths and that each store the received data and read the received data at a reported read position at a reported read timing; a selection circuit that selects one of the transmission paths according to error detection results provided by the error detection circuits; and a report circuit that compares received data stored by a storage circuit corresponding to a selected transmission path with received data stored by each of other storage circuits and, according to a comparison result, reports the read timing and the read position to each of the storage circuits.

According to one embodiment, an I/O expansion device configured to communicate with a master circuit and an electrical component includes a port circuit configured to transmit an output signal to the electrical component based on a first input signal from the master circuit, a memory that stores first setting data set by the first input signal from the master circuit, a comparison circuit configured to compare second setting data set by a second input signal from the master circuit with the first setting data stored in the memory and transmit an abnormality signal to the master circuit when the second setting data is not identical with the first setting data.