Embodiments for server port virtualization for guest logical unit number (LUN) masking in a host direct attach configuration using a storage adapter in a computing environment by a processor. An F switch port is simulated by an N storage port to enable either N-port virtualization (NPV) or N-port identification (ID) virtualization (NPIV) in the host direct attach configuration by directly attaching the N server port to the N storage port. A domain name system (DNS) operation is performed to cause each virtualized N-port ID to be mapped to fiber channel (FC) IDs in domain format of domain, area, port.

Systems for transmitting an application message between nodes of a clustered data processing system are disclosed. One system includes a determination of whether one or more application messages may currently be transmitted to a first node of a plurality of nodes from a second node of the plurality of nodes. The system further includes processing the one or more application messages in response to a determination that the one or more application messages may be currently transmitted.

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an initialization module configured to receive a Fiber Channel over Ethernet Initialization Protocol (FIP) login request from a network device. The initialization module is configured to select an outbound port based at least in part on a load-balancing calculation. The initialization module is configured to define a destination Media Access Control (MAC) address. The initialization module is configured to associate the destination MAC address with the outbound port. The initialization module is configured to send, to the network device, a signal including the destination MAC address in response to the FIP login request.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a management module configured to assign a unique set of identifiers to each network control entity from a set of network control entities. As a result, a network control entity from the set of network control entities can assign an identifier from its unique set of identifiers to a port in response to that network control entity receiving a login request from the port. The set of network control entities is associated with a distributed multi-stage switch. The management module is also configured to store a zone set database associated with the distributed multi-stage switch. The management module is configured to send an instance of an active zone set stored within the zone set database to each network control entity from the set of network control entities such that each network control entity can enforce the active zone set.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first network switch configured to be within a Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) network, which has a set of network switches including the first network switch. The first network switch is configured to receive, from a first network device, a login signal including a proposed logical identifier for the first network device. The first network switch is configured to send, in response to the login signal, a multicast signal including the proposed logical identifier to remaining network switches from the set of network switches. As a result, a second network switch from the set of network switches enforces a zone policy in response to receiving the multicast signal and prior to sending the proposed logical identifier to a second network device.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first network switch configured to be within a Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) network, which has a set of network switches including the first network switch. The first network switch is configured to receive, from a first network device, a login signal including a proposed logical identifier for the first network device. The first network switch is configured to send, in response to the login signal, a multicast signal including the proposed logical identifier to remaining network switches from the set of network switches. As a result, a second network switch from the set of network switches enforces a zone policy in response to receiving the multicast signal and prior to sending the proposed logical identifier to a second network device.

In some embodiments, a system includes a set of network control entities associated with a distributed multi-stage switch. Each network control entity from the set of network control entities is configured to manage at least one edge device having a set of ports and coupled to the distributed multi-stage switch. Each network control entity from the set of network control entities is associated with a unique set of identifiers. A network control entity from the set of network control entities is configured to assign a unique identifier from its unique set of identifiers to a port from the set of ports of the at least one edge device in response to the network control entity receiving a login request associated with the port.

Systems and methods for defining virtual machine fabric profiles of virtual machines. An exemplary embodiment can provide a virtual machine identifier, a virtual host channel adapter instance ID, and a virtual globally unique identifier. The virtual machine identifier, virtual host channel adapter instance ID, and virtual globally unique identifier can be mapped to each other so that the virtual host channel adapter instance ID, and virtual globally unique identifier can be retrieved through access to the virtual machine identifier. Further, a relationship can be created between a P_Key that defines an admin partition and the virtual globally unique identifier, where the relationship between the P_Key and the virtual globally unique identifier defines the virtual globally unique identifier as a member of the admin partition defined by the P_Key.

Systems and methods for initiating a forced migration of a virtual machine. An exemplary embodiment can provide a subnet manager (SM) and an active virtual machine registration cache, where the subnet manager can access the active virtual machine registration cache. The SM can record a first virtual machine incarnation number in the active virtual machine registration cache, where the virtual machine incarnation number is associated with an active virtual machine (VM). Upon receiving a request to register the active VM on a different host, the SM can evaluate a second virtual machine incarnation number with the first virtual machine incarnation number to determine the legality of the request. In accordance with an embodiment, if the second virtual machine incarnation number is evaluated as greater than the first virtual machine incarnation number, the SM determines the request is legal.

Systems and methods for using a virtual machine fabric profiles to reduce virtual machine downtime during migration. An exemplary embodiment can provide a subnet manager (SM) and a virtual machine fabric profile that is accessible by the subnet manager, and where the virtual machine fabric profile includes a virtual host channel adapter (vHCA) configuration. The SM can receive a request to preregister the vHCA with a first physical host channel adapter (HCA) while the vHCA is already actively registered with a second physical HCA. The subnet manager can send the vHCA configuration to the first physical HCA for preregistration. After preregistration, the virtual link between the vHCA and a vSwitch of the first physical HCA can be left unestablished, until the SM determines that a virtual link between the vHCA and a vSwitch on the second physical HCA has been disconnected.