Directed route load/store packets for distributed switch initialization

摘要

Techniques for transmitting a packet from a source switch module to a destination switch module. Embodiments receive, at a first port of a first switch module, a packet that includes (i) path information specifying a route to the destination switch module, (ii) a set of load/store operations to be executed by the destination switch module and (iii) return path information specifying a route from the destination switch module to the source switch module. Upon determining that the first switch module is the destination switch module, the set of load/store operations are copied from the received packet into an execution buffer for automatic execution. Once the set of load/store operations are executed, embodiments transmit the packet to a second switch module using the first port on which the packet was received.

主权项

1. A method of transmitting a packet from a source switch module to a destination switch module, comprising:
receiving, at a first port of a first switch module of a distributed switch, a first packet that conforms to a first communications protocol and that includes (i) path information specifying a route to the destination switch module, (ii) a set of load/store register operations to be executed by the destination switch module in order to initialize communication links on the destination switch module, thereby enabling communications within the distributed switch according to a second communications protocol different from the first communications protocol and (iii) return path information specifying a route from the destination switch module to the source switch module; upon determining that the first switch module is the destination switch module, copying the set of load/store register operations from the first packet into an execution buffer for automatic execution; once the set of load/store register operations are executed, transmitting the first packet to a second switch module using the first port on which the first packet was received; and subsequent to communication links on the first switch module being initialized, transmitting, from the first switch module and to the second switch module, a second packet that conforms to the second communications protocol.