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Abstract

An integrated multi-channel Fiber Channel analyzer provides coordinated and cooperative triggering and capture of data across multiple channels in a Fiber Channel network. The integrated multi-channel analyzer accommodates up to sixteen separate analyzer channels in a single cabinet. Each analyzer channel is comprised of an input port connection to the Fiber Channel network, a trace buffer memory that captures data and logic circuitry that controls the operation of the trace buffer memory in response to a status condition. A high speed status bus is connected to each analyzer channel and propagates the status conditions of each analyzer channel to all other analyzer channels. In this way, the integrated multi-channel analyzer allows for distributive control over triggering decisions across multiple analyzer channels, and also allows for multi-level triggering where different conditions may be detected by different analyzer channels. Analysis of the data captured by the integrated multi-channel analyzer is further enhanced by a processor resident in the cabinet that is connected by a data/control bus to each analyzer channel and by a hardware search engine associated with each trace buffer memory. The resident processor receives high level commands from a remote host processor and sends selected trace data to the remote host computer over an Ethernet connection.

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First Claim