Arista Networks, Inc.
Remote in-band management of a network interface controller

Abstract:

A method and apparatus of a network element that manages a network interface controller on a device coupled to a network element is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the network element detects that the network interface controller is manageable, wherein the network interface controller is coupled to the network element by a link. In addition, the network element transmits a command packet to the network interface controller in-band, where the network interface controller determines a response to the command packet using the resources of the network interface controller and without communicating data between the network interface controller and the device. The network element receives the response from the network interface controller.