公开(公告)号：US07818447B1

公开(公告)日：2010-10-19

申请号：US10402009

申请日：2003-03-28

申请人： Brett D. Niver ,  Steven R. Chalmer ,  Steven T. McClure ,  Stephen D. MacArthur ,  Avinash Kallat

发明人： Brett D. Niver ,  Steven R. Chalmer ,  Steven T. McClure ,  Stephen D. MacArthur ,  Avinash Kallat

IPC分类号： G06F15/16

CPC分类号： G06F15/17368

摘要： Described is an end-to-end broadcast-based messaging technique used in controlling message flow in a data storage system. Each node stores flow control state information about all the nodes which is used in determining whether to send a data transmission to a receiving node. The flow control state information includes an indicator as to whether each node is receiving incoming data transmissions. If a node is not receiving incoming data transmissions, the flow control state information also includes an associated expiration time. Data transmissions are resumed to a receiving node based on the earlier of a sending node determining that the expiration time has lapsed, or receiving a control message from the receiving node explicitly turning on data transmissions. Each node maintains and updates its local copy of the flow control state information in accordance with control messages sent by each node to turn on and off data transmissions. Each node sends out control messages in accordance with predetermined threshold levels taking into account hardware and/or software resources for message buffering.

摘要翻译： 描述了一种用于控制数据存储系统中的消息流的端对端基于广播的消息收发技术。 每个节点存储关于用于确定是否向接收节点发送数据传输的所有节点的流控制状态信息。 流控制状态信息包括关于每个节点是否正在接收输入数据传输的指示符。 如果节点没有接收传入数据传输，则流控制状态信息还包括相关联的到期时间。 基于发送节点的早期确定过期时间已经过去或者从接收节点明确地接收数据传输接收控制消息，数据传输被恢复到接收节点。 每个节点根据每个节点发送的控制消息来维护和更新其流控制状态信息的本地副本，以打开和关闭数据传输。 每个节点考虑到用于消息缓冲的硬件和/或软件资源，根据预定的阈值级别发出控制消息。

公开(公告)号：US07672303B1

公开(公告)日：2010-03-02

申请号：US11059885

申请日：2005-02-17

申请人： William F. Baxter, III ,  Stephen D. MacArthur ,  Man Min Moy ,  Brett D. Niver ,  Yechiel Yochai

发明人： William F. Baxter, III ,  Stephen D. MacArthur ,  Man Min Moy ,  Brett D. Niver ,  Yechiel Yochai

IPC分类号： H04L12/28 ,  H04L12/56

CPC分类号： H04L49/505 ,  H04L49/205 ,  H04L49/356

摘要： A method is provided for performing arbitration in an information packet controller. The method includes transmitting different types of information packets from an initiator to a receiver. One type of information packet has a quality of service requiring a faster transmission time from the initiator to the receiver than another type of information packet having a quality of service having a slower transmission time from the initiator to the receiver. The transmitting of the information packets from the initiator to the receiver is in accordance with priority assigned to the information packet, the quality of service assigned to the information packet, and the age of such information packets having been stored in a queue of the initiator, such quality of service being a function of the speed at which the packets are required to pass from the initiator to a receiver.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种在信息包控制器中执行仲裁的方法。 该方法包括从发起者向接收者发送不同类型的信息分组。 一种类型的信息包具有从发起者到接收者的更快传输时间的服务质量，而不是具有从发起者到接收者的传输时间较慢的具有服务质量的信息包。 从发起者到接收者的信息包的发送是根据分配给信息包的优先级，分配给信息包的服务质量以及已经存储在发起者的队列中的信息包的年龄， 这种服务质量是要求分组从发起者到接收者的速度的函数。

公开(公告)号：US07853716B1

公开(公告)日：2010-12-14

申请号：US11059961

申请日：2005-02-17

申请人： William F. Baxter, III ,  Stephen D. MacArthur ,  Man Min Moy ,  Brett D. Niver ,  Yechiel Yochai

发明人： William F. Baxter, III ,  Stephen D. MacArthur ,  Man Min Moy ,  Brett D. Niver ,  Yechiel Yochai

IPC分类号： G06F15/173

CPC分类号： H04L49/506 ,  H04L49/205 ,  H04L49/356

摘要： A data storage system having a packet switching network, a cache memory, and a plurality of directors, one portion of such directors being adapted for coupling to a host computer/server and another portion of the directors being adapted for coupling to a bank of disk drives. The plurality of directors and cache memory are interconnected through the packet switching network. Each one of the directors is adapted to transmit different types of information packets to another one of the directors through the network. Each one of the directors is adapted to transmit and receive different types of information packets to another one of the directors or cache memories through the packet switching network. Each one of the cache memories is adapted to receive and transmit different types of information packets to one of the directors through the packet switching network. One type of information packet requires a different degree of latency than another type of information packet. The system includes an arbiter for transmitting the information packets as a function of the latency requirement, a priority assigned to the information packet, and the age of such information packets having been stored in a queue of the transmitting one of the directors, the packet switching network, or one of the cache memories.

摘要翻译： 一种具有分组交换网络，高速缓冲存储器和多个导向器的数据存储系统，这种控制器的一部分适于耦合到主计算机/服务器，并且所述控制器的另一部分适于耦合到磁盘库 驱动器 多个导向器和高速缓冲存储器通过分组交换网络互连。 每个董事都适用于通过网络将不同类型的信息包传送给另一名董事。 导向器中的每一个适于通过分组交换网络将不同类型的信息分组发送和接收到另一个导向器或高速缓冲存储器。 高速缓存存储器中的每一个适于通过分组交换网络将不同类型的信息分组接收并发送到一个导向器。 一种类型的信息分组需要与另一种类型的信息分组不同的等待时间。 该系统包括用于根据等待时间要求，分配给信息分组的优先级以及已经存储在导演中的发射方之一的队列中的信息分组的时间来传送信息分组的仲裁器，分组交换 网络或其中一个缓存存储器。

公开(公告)号：US06779071B1

公开(公告)日：2004-08-17

申请号：US09561531

申请日：2000-04-28

申请人： Avinash Kallat ,  Robert Thibault ,  Stephen D. MacArthur

发明人： Avinash Kallat ,  Robert Thibault ,  Stephen D. MacArthur

IPC分类号： G06F1300

CPC分类号： G06F3/0658 ,  G06F3/0613 ,  G06F3/0676 ,  G06F11/2005 ,  G06F11/2007 ,  G06F11/2089 ,  G06F12/084 ,  G06F12/0866

摘要： A system interface includes a plurality of first directors, a plurality of second directors, a data transfer section and a message network. The data transfer section includes a cache memory. The cache memory is coupled to the plurality of first and second directors. The messaging network operates independently of the data transfer section and such network is coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors. The first and second directors control data transfer between the first directors and the second directors in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the messaging network to facilitate data transfer between first directors and the second directors. The data passes through the cache memory in the data transfer section. A method for operating a data storage system adapted to transfer data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives. The method includes transferring messages through a messaging network with the data being transferred between the host computer/server and the bank of disk drives through a cache memory, such message network being independent of the cache memory.

摘要翻译： 系统接口包括多个第一导向器，多个第二导向器，数据传输部分和消息网络。 数据传送部分包括高速缓冲存储器。 高速缓存存储器耦合到多个第一和第二导向器。 消息传递网络独立于数据传送部分运行，并且这样的网络耦合到多个第一董事和多个第二董事。 第一和第二位董事通过消息传递网络响应第一任董事和第二任董事之间的信息，控制第一任董事与第二任董事之间的数据转移，以促进第一任董事与第二任董事之间的数据转移。 数据通过数据传输部分的高速缓冲存储器。 一种用于操作适于在主计算机/服务器和一组磁盘驱动器之间传送数据的数据存储系统的方法。 该方法包括通过消息传递网络传送消息，数据通过高速缓冲存储器在主机计算机/服务器和磁盘驱动器组之间传输，这样的消息网络独立于高速缓冲存储器。

公开(公告)号：US07073020B1

公开(公告)日：2006-07-04

申请号：US09606734

申请日：2000-06-29

申请人： David L. Black ,  Stephen D. MacArthur ,  Richard G. Wheeler ,  Robert A. Thibault ,  Michael Shulman

发明人： David L. Black ,  Stephen D. MacArthur ,  Richard G. Wheeler ,  Robert A. Thibault ,  Michael Shulman

IPC分类号： G06F3/06

CPC分类号： G06F12/0866 ,  G06F11/2005 ,  G06F11/2089

摘要： A system interface includes a plurality of first directors, a plurality of second directors, a data transfer section and a message network. The data transfer section includes a cache memory. The cache memory is coupled to the plurality of first and second directors. The messaging network operates independently of the data transfer section and such network is coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors. The first and second directors control data transfer between the first directors and the second directors in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the messaging network to facilitate data transfer between first directors and the second directors. The data passes through the cache memory in the data transfer section. A method for operating a data storage system adapted to transfer data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives. The method includes transferring messages through a messaging network with the data being transferred between the host computer/server and the bank of disk drives through a cache memory, such message network being independent of the cache memory.

摘要翻译： 系统接口包括多个第一导向器，多个第二导向器，数据传输部分和消息网络。 数据传送部分包括高速缓冲存储器。 高速缓存存储器耦合到多个第一和第二导向器。 消息传递网络独立于数据传送部分运行，并且这样的网络耦合到多个第一董事和多个第二董事。 第一和第二位董事通过消息传递网络响应第一任董事和第二任董事之间的信息，控制第一任董事与第二任董事之间的数据转移，以促进第一任董事与第二任董事之间的数据转移。 数据通过数据传输部分的高速缓冲存储器。 一种用于操作适于在主计算机/服务器和一组磁盘驱动器之间传送数据的数据存储系统的方法。 该方法包括通过消息传递网络传送消息，数据通过高速缓冲存储器在主机计算机/服务器和磁盘驱动器组之间传输，这样的消息网络独立于高速缓冲存储器。

公开(公告)号：US07102893B1

公开(公告)日：2006-09-05

申请号：US10673829

申请日：2003-09-29

申请人： Stephen D. MacArthur ,  Rudy Bauer ,  William Frederick Baxter, III ,  Paul C. Wilson

发明人： Stephen D. MacArthur ,  Rudy Bauer ,  William Frederick Baxter, III ,  Paul C. Wilson

IPC分类号： H01R12/16

CPC分类号： G02B6/4452

摘要： An assembly couples first and second backplanes together. The first backplane is configured to carry first electrical backplane signals among a first set of circuit boards. The second backplane is configured to carry second electrical backplane signals among a second set of circuit boards. The assembly includes a first switch configured to convey at least some of the first electrical backplane signals between circuit boards of the first set of circuit boards. The assembly further includes a second switch configured to convey at least some of the second electrical backplane signals between circuit boards of the second set of circuit boards. The assembly further includes a fiber optic cable joining the first and second switches together. The first and second switches are configured to exchange fiber optic signals through the fiber optic cable thus forming a cohesive backplane interconnect system between the first and second sets of circuit boards.

摘要翻译： 组件将第一和第二背板耦合在一起。 第一背板被配置为在第一组电路板之间承载第一电背板信号。 第二背板被配置为在第二组电路板之间承载第二电背板信号。 组件包括第一开关，其被配置为在第一组电路板的电路板之间传送第一电背板信号中的至少一些。 组件还包括第二开关，其被配置为在第二组电路板的电路板之间传送第二电背板信号中的至少一些。 组件还包括将第一和第二开关连接在一起的光纤电缆。 第一和第二开关被配置为通过光纤电缆交换光纤信号，从而在第一和第二组电路板之间形成一个内聚的背板互连系统。

公开(公告)号：US07003601B1

公开(公告)日：2006-02-21

申请号：US09539966

申请日：2000-03-31

申请人： Stephen D. MacArthur

发明人： Stephen D. MacArthur

IPC分类号： G06F13/12

CPC分类号： G06F12/0873 ,  G06F3/0601 ,  G06F12/084 ,  G06F2003/0692 ,  G06F2212/261 ,  G06F2212/281

摘要： A system interface having a plurality of first directors and a crossbar switch having input/output ports coupled to the first directors on such one of the first director boards and a pair of output/input ports. A plurality of second director boards is provided. Each one of the second directors boards has a plurality of second directors a crossbar switch having input/output ports coupled to the second directors on such one of the second director boards and a pair of output/input ports. A data transfer section is provided having a cache memory. The cache memory is coupled to the plurality of first and second directors. A message network is provided, such network being operative independently of the data transfer section. The first and second directors control data transfer between the first directors and the second directors in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the message network to facilitate data transfer between first directors and the second directors. The data passes through the cache memory in the data transfer section. Each one of the directors includes a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the first directors and the cache memory; a microprocessor. A controller is coupled to the microprocessor and the data pipe for controlling the transfer of the messages between the message network and such one of the first directors and for controlling the data between the input of such one of the first directors and the cache memory.

摘要翻译： 具有多个第一导向器和交叉开关的系统接口，其具有连接到第一导向板上的第一导向板上的第一导向件和一对输出/输入端口的输入/输出端口。 提供多个第二导向板。 第二导体板中的每一个具有多个第二导体，其具有连接到第二导向板上的第二导向板上的第二导体的输入/输出端口和一对输出/输入端口的交叉开关。 提供具有高速缓冲存储器的数据传送部分。 高速缓存存储器耦合到多个第一和第二导向器。 提供消息网络，这样的网络独立于数据传输部分工作。 第一和第二位董事通过消息网络回应第一任董事与第二任董事之间的信息，控制第一任董事与第二任董事之间的数据转移，以促进第一任董事与第二任董事之间的数据转移。 数据通过数据传输部分的高速缓冲存储器。 每个导向器包括耦合在第一导件之一的输入端与高速缓冲存储器之间的数据管线; 一个微处理器 控制器耦合到微处理器和数据管道，用于控制在消息网络与第一控制器之一之间的消息传送，并用于控制第一控制器和高速缓冲存储器之一之间的数据的输入。

公开(公告)号：US06868479B1

公开(公告)日：2005-03-15

申请号：US10109603

申请日：2002-03-28

申请人： Robert A. Thibault ,  Stephen D. MacArthur ,  Brian Gallagher ,  Brian Marchionni

发明人： Robert A. Thibault ,  Stephen D. MacArthur ,  Brian Gallagher ,  Brian Marchionni

IPC分类号： G06F11/20 ,  G06F12/08 ,  G06F12/00

CPC分类号： G06F11/2038 ,  G06F11/201 ,  G06F11/2089 ,  G06F11/2097 ,  G06F12/0866

摘要： A data storage system for transferring data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives through a system interface. The system interface includes: a plurality of first directors coupled to the host computer/server; a plurality of second directors coupled to the bank of disk drives; a cache memory; and a data transfer section coupled to the plurality of first directors, the second directors, and the cache memory. A messaging network is coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors. The first and second directors control data transfer between the host computer and the bank of disk drives in response to messages passing between the directors through the messaging network as such data passes through the memory via the data transfer section. A service processing network is provided for interfacing a plurality of service processing units to the plurality of first and second directors through a plurality of redundant communication channels. With such arrangement, because the service processor is being more involved in the functionality operation of the system, a pair of redundant service processors is provided. This thereby improves the reliability of the system including those system functions controlled by the service processor.

摘要翻译： 一种数据存储系统，用于通过系统接口在主计算机/服务器和一组磁盘驱动器之间传送数据。 系统接口包括：多个第一引导器，耦合到主计算机/服务器; 耦合到所述盘驱动器组的多个第二引导器; 高速缓冲存储器 以及耦合到所述多个第一导向器，所述第二引导器和所述高速缓冲存储器的数据传输部件。 消息网络耦合到多个第一董事和多个第二董事。 响应于通过消息传递网络在导演之间传递的消息，第一和第二导演控制主计算机和磁盘驱动器组之间的数据传输，因为这些数据经由数据传送部分通过存储器。 提供了一种服务处理网络，用于通过多个冗余通信信道将多个服务处理单元与多个第一和第二导向器进行接口。 通过这样的安排，由于服务处理器更多地涉及系统的功能操作，所以提供了一对冗余服务处理器。 从而提高了系统的可靠性，包括由服务处理器控制的那些系统功能。

公开(公告)号：US07729239B1

公开(公告)日：2010-06-01

申请号：US11022998

申请日：2004-12-27

申请人： Alexander Y. Aronov ,  Stephen D. MacArthur ,  Michael Sgrosso ,  William F. Baxter, III

发明人： Alexander Y. Aronov ,  Stephen D. MacArthur ,  Michael Sgrosso ,  William F. Baxter, III

IPC分类号： G01R31/08 ,  G06F11/00 ,  G08C15/00 ,  H04J1/16 ,  H04J3/14 ,  H04L1/00 ,  H04L12/26 ,  H04L12/28 ,  H04L12/56 ,  H04L12/54

CPC分类号： H04L45/00 ,  H04L1/1874 ,  H04L45/302 ,  H04L45/40

摘要： An end point controller includes two of ingress/egress port pairs. A first one of the ingress/egress ports is adapted to send and receive one of a pair of types of information packets and a second one of the ingress/egress ports is adapted to send and receive the other one of the pair of types of information packets. A controller is coupled to the two port pairs for coupling one of ingress/egress ports to an input/output port selectively in accordance with the type of the information packet on the ingress/egress ports and the availability of the end point controller to a network. One of the egress ports is directly coupled to the output port to the network if the information packet is at such port and the end point controller has been granted access to the network while other information at the pair of egress ports is buffered prior to being coupled to the output. In like fashion, the input port from the network is directly coupled to one of the ingress ports if the information packet is of the type of information packet destined for such ingress port, said port being available to transmit the packet.

摘要翻译： 端点控制器包括入口/出口端口对中的两个。 入口/出口端口中的第一个适于发送和接收一对类型的信息分组中的一个，并且入口/出口端口中的第二个适于发送和接收一对类型的信息中的另一个 数据包 控制器耦合到两个端口对，以根据入口/出口端口上的信息分组的类型选择性地将输入/输出端口中的一个端口耦合到输入/输出端口，以及端点控制器到网络的可用性 。 如果信息分组处于这样的端口，则出口端口之一直接耦合到网络的输出端口，并且端点控制器已经被授权接入网络，而在对耦合端口的其他信息被耦合之前被缓冲 到输出。 如果信息分组是目的地为这样的入口端口的信息分组的类型，则来自网络的输入端口直接耦合到入口端口之一，所述端口可用于传送分组。

公开(公告)号：US07010575B1

公开(公告)日：2006-03-07

申请号：US09680156

申请日：2000-10-05

申请人： Stephen D. MacArthur ,  David Black ,  Richard Wheeler

发明人： Stephen D. MacArthur ,  David Black ,  Richard Wheeler

IPC分类号： G06F15/167 ,  G06F15/173 ,  G06F15/16 ,  G06F12/00

CPC分类号： G06F12/0866 ,  G06F11/201 ,  G06F12/084 ,  G06F2212/312

摘要： A system interface includes a plurality of first directors, a plurality of second directors, a data transfer section and a message network. The data transfer section includes a cache memory. The cache memory is coupled to the plurality of first and second directors. The messaging network operates independently of the data transfer section and such network is coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors. The first and second directors control data transfer between the first directors and the second directors in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the messaging network to facilitate data transfer between first directors and the second directors. The data passes through the cache memory in the data transfer section. A method for operating a data storage system adapted to transfer data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives. The method includes transferring messages through a messaging network with the data being transferred between the host computer/server and the bank of disk drives through a cache memory, such message network being independent of the cache memory.

摘要翻译： 系统接口包括多个第一导向器，多个第二导向器，数据传输部分和消息网络。 数据传送部分包括高速缓冲存储器。 高速缓存存储器耦合到多个第一和第二导向器。 消息传递网络独立于数据传送部分运行，并且这样的网络耦合到多个第一董事和多个第二董事。 第一和第二位董事通过消息传递网络响应第一任董事和第二任董事之间的信息，控制第一任董事与第二任董事之间的数据转移，以促进第一任董事与第二任董事之间的数据转移。 数据通过数据传输部分的高速缓冲存储器。 一种用于操作适于在主计算机/服务器和一组磁盘驱动器之间传送数据的数据存储系统的方法。 该方法包括通过消息传递网络传送消息，数据通过高速缓冲存储器在主机计算机/服务器和磁盘驱动器组之间传输，这样的消息网络独立于高速缓冲存储器。