A control component of a computing environment initiates sending of request(s) over a network of the computing environment by an activated virtual adapter. The activated virtual adapter is hosted on a physical adapter of a host system coupled to the network, and is for use by a guest, hosted by the host system, in performing data input and output. The request(s) retrieve access control information from the network indicative of access control(s) enforced in controlling access by the activated virtual adapter to network component(s). The initiating provides indication(s) to the physical adapter, absent involvement of the guest, that the request(s) be sent by the virtual adapter. Based on the initiating, the control component obtains the access control information from the physical adapter, and determines, based on that information, the access control(s) being enforced by the network in controlling access by the activated virtual adapter to the network component(s).

A system, method and apparatus for multi-lane auto-negotiation over reduced-lane media. Auto-negotiation over an M-lane communication interface can be coordinated with the auto-negotiation over an N-lane communication interface, wherein M>N. A recursive-type auto-negotiation process would begin with the M-lane communication interface and be prevented from completing until the auto-negotiation process over the N-lane communication interface completes.

Examples described herein relate to a network interface comprising physical medium dependent (PMD) circuitry, the PMD circuitry to during link training of at least one lane consistent with IEEE 802.3, exit to TIME_OUT state during TRAIN_LOCAL state based on consideration of expiration of a wait timer, loss of local_tf_lock state, and loss of remote_tf_lock state. In some examples, during link training for at least one lane consistent with IEEE 802.3, the PMD circuitry is to exit to TIME_OUT state during TRAIN_REMOTE state based on consideration of expiration of a wait timer, loss of local_tf_lock state, and loss of remote_tf_lock state. In some examples, link training consistent with IEEE 802.3 comprises performance of the PMD control function in Section 162.8.11 of IEEE 802.3ck.

A control component of a computing environment initiates sending of request(s) over a network of the computing environment by an activated virtual adapter. The activated virtual adapter is hosted on a physical adapter of a host system coupled to the network, and is for use by a guest, hosted by the host system, in performing data input and output. The request(s) retrieve access control information from the network indicative of access control(s) enforced in controlling access by the activated virtual adapter to network component(s). The initiating provides indication(s) to the physical adapter, absent involvement of the guest, that the request(s) be sent by the virtual adapter. Based on the initiating, the control component obtains the access control information from the physical adapter, and determines, based on that information, the access control(s) being enforced by the network in controlling access by the activated virtual adapter to the network component(s).

A control component of a computing environment initiates sending of request(s) over a network of the computing environment by an activated virtual adapter. The activated virtual adapter is hosted on a physical adapter of a host system coupled to the network, and is for use by a guest, hosted by the host system, in performing data input and output. The request(s) retrieve access control information from the network indicative of access control(s) enforced in controlling access by the activated virtual adapter to network component(s). The initiating provides indication(s) to the physical adapter, absent involvement of the guest, that the request(s) be sent by the virtual adapter. Based on the initiating, the control component obtains the access control information from the physical adapter, and determines, based on that information, the access control(s) being enforced by the network in controlling access by the activated virtual adapter to the network component(s).

Methods and apparatus for Ethernet auto-negotiation (AN) with parallel detect for 10G DAC or other non-auto-negotiated modes. AN base pages are transmitted from an Ethernet apparatus to advertise the ability to support at least one Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 Ethernet specification supporting AN. A receiver and associated processing circuitry is configured to perform two detection modes in parallel, including a first detection mode that looks for a valid signal transmitted from an Ethernet link peer that does not support AN and a second detection mode looking for AN pages from an IEEE 802.3 Ethernet link peer that supports AN. If the link peer does not support AN, an Ethernet link is set up to use signaling in accordance with the Ethernet specification that does not support AN. If the link peer supports AN, an Ethernet link is set up using a corresponding IEEE 802.3 Ethernet link supporting AN. Supported non-AN Ethernet links include 10G DAC links.

A virtual circuit in a network device reformats one or more incoming data streams at a non-predetermined data rate into an outgoing data stream at a predetermined data rate, thereby allowing multiple data streams with non-predetermined data rates that are less than the predetermined data rate to be combined and output from a single network port.

A system for negotiating Ethernet link settings between interconnected nodes in a network having an Ethernet protocol stack that includes a PCS sub-layer with an auto-negotiation function. The system comprises connecting an intermediate device coupled between two network nodes via optical or copper interfaces, with the link settings between each node and the connected intermediate device being the same, thereby bypassing the auto-negotiation of the PCS sub-layer in the intermediate device. The intermediate device may transparently send negotiation messages from each node to the other during the link negotiation phase without interacting with those messages. Instead of the intermediate device, a single form pluggable (SFP) device may be connected between the two network nodes via optical or copper interfaces on the network side and via an SFP slot on the device side.

A system and method for link detection and link initialization across a range of communication media is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes intercepting, by a subcontroller of a first storage element, an attempt by a controller of the first storage element to establish communication with a second storage element via a first communication medium. In response to the intercepting of the attempt, a link initialization signal is provided for transmission to the second storage element via a second communication medium. The second communication medium is independent of the first communication medium. When a response is received from the second storage element indicating a successful link initialization, an indication of success is provided from the subcontroller to the controller. The indication of success corresponds to the first communication medium. In one example, the controller includes an SAS controller, and the second communication medium is an optical communication medium.

Examples described herein relate to a network interface comprising physical medium dependent (PMD) circuitry, the PMD circuitry to during link training of at least one lane consistent with IEEE 802.3, exit to TIME_OUT state during TRAIN_LOCAL state based on consideration of expiration of a wait timer, loss of local_tf_lock state, and loss of remote_tf_lock state. In some examples, during link training for at least one lane consistent with IEEE 802.3, the PMD circuitry is to exit to TIME_OUT state during TRAIN_REMOTE state based on consideration of expiration of a wait timer, loss of local_tf_lock state, and loss of remote_tf_lock state. In some examples, link training consistent with IEEE 802.3 comprises performance of the PMD control function in Section 162.8.11 of IEEE 802.3ck.