Re: iSCSI: NOP-Out closing the command window

[Sandeep Joshi <sandeepj@research.bell-labs.com>]

If the NOP-Out does not have the ping-bit set, then it is a 
ping response and *not* a new command being issued by the 
initiator.

Hence, it seems that the NOP-OUT with P=0 need not carry a 
new cmdSN (Mark's 2nd option). 
 
Btw, I did not know the 2nd sequence (P=0 from initiator?) 
below was valid
  > I->T NOP +P=0 +I=x+ Data
  > T->I NOP +P=0 +I=x

-Sandeep

Julian Satran wrote:
> 
> Mark,
> 
> Definitely a problem .  How about stating (the obvious) that NOP as any
> thing carying an ITT expectes an answer
> wheter it carries an echo (P=1) or not (P=0).
> 
> If it does not carry an ITT it does not.
> 
> We can have the following sequences all valid:
> 
> I->T NOP +P=1 +I=x+ Data
> T->I NOP +P=0 + Data
> 
> I->T NOP +P=0 +I=x+ Data
> T->I NOP +P=0 +I=x
> 
> T->I NOP +P=1 +TTT
> I->T NOP +P=0 I=1 + TTT (no ITT)
> 
> All would be permitted today if we remove the tie between ITT and P say
> that NOP must have an ITT if issued at initiators initiative.
> 
> We might add as valid (today it is not, it is explicitly forbidden):
> 
> T->I NOP +P=1 +TTT
> I->T NOP +P=1+ I= 1 TTT + ITT + Data
> T->I NOP +P=0  +ITT + Data
> 
> The last requires us to "tweak" the termination rule (a target is forbiden
> to answer a P=1 with a P=1
> 
> comments?
> Julo
> 
> Mark Bakke <mbakke@cisco.com> on 27-07-2001 16:25:20
> 
> Please respond to Mark Bakke <mbakke@cisco.com>
> 
> To:   IPS <ips@ece.cmu.edu>
> cc:
> Subject:  iSCSI: NOP-Out closing the command window
> 
> When sending a NOP-Out without the P bit set, there's
> no response to update ExpCmdSN to keep the window open.
> 
> On an otherwise idle session, sending a long enough
> sequence of these NOP-Outs can close the command window
> permanently.
> 
> In case of a stuck command window, please break glass...
> 
> The easy solution is to turn on the P bit, and get the
> responses to update the window, but that defaults the
> purpose of allowing the P bit to not be set in the first
> place.
> 
> Another easy solution (but I almost hate to mention it)
> is not to have NOP-Out update the CmdSN.  This seems to
> have the possibility of breaking other things.
> 
> I suppose we could come up with a more complicated rule,
> like "if the NOP-Out's CmdSN would be the last (or perhaps
> penultimate) CmdSN allowed by the current window, it MUST
> set the P bit."  Or something like that.
> 
> Anyway, I see three possible solutions.  Any thoughts?
> 
> --
> Mark A. Bakke
> Cisco Systems
> mbakke@cisco.com
> 763.398.1054