摘要:
A bridged controller for reducing the overhead of cache coherency processing on each of a plurality of primary controllers and increasing the overall throughput of the system. The bridged controller interfaces with dual-active pair of host-side controllers and the backend disk drive buses. The third controller allows a doubling of the number of backend busses, reduces the overhead of cache coherency processing on each primary host-side controller and doubles the overall throughput.
摘要:
Apparatus, systems and methods for clustering multiple PCI Express hierarchies to enable access of components in different hierarchies. Each PCI Express hierarchy includes a root device as well as a cluster port for coupling each hierarchy to each other hierarchy of a physical cluster through a PCI Express switched fabric. Memory addresses and transaction IDs are re-mapped by the cluster port of each hierarchy to partition the PCI Express space of the system of multiple hierarchies. A first portion of the partitioned space is reserved for access to local components within a hierarchy. A second portion of the space is used to access remote components of other hierarchies from within a different first hierarchy. The address and transaction ID values exchanged in such remote transactions are re-mapped and used by the cluster port of each hierarchy to route exchanges between hierarchies using standard PCIe root devices, endpoint devices, and switches.
摘要:
A system for isolating a faulty switch or respective storage device from a plurality of switches and respective storage devices in a daisy-chained arrangement. In the daisy-chain arrangement the switches are connected in sequence to permit access to the respective storage devices through the preceding switches in the sequence. All of the switches, except one, are set in a bypass mode where they do not read inputs of the respective storage devices. The one switch is set in a non bypass mode where it reads an input from its associated storage device. A status of the daisy-chain, either up or down, is then determined. If the status is up, the foregoing steps are repeated a number of iterations with a different one of the switches being set in a non bypass mode and the other switches being set in the bypass mode during each iteration, until the status of the daisy-chain is down. The down status indicates that the switch which is set in the non bypass mode or its associated storage device is defective.
摘要:
A reset circuit implemented in a RAID controller configured for dual active operation. The reset circuit generates a reset pulse with a relatively invariant pulse width that is coupled to the controller's main CPU and I/O processors. The reset pulse can be generated in response to activation of an external common reset signal. The external common reset signal is activated by an external system (e.g., another controller configured for dual active operation) whenever the controller needs to be reset. This can be when the controller fails to maintain a communication signal transmitted to the external system or when the external system has inconsistent configuration information, requiring the entire system (i.e., both the controller and the external system) to be re-initialized. The reset pulse can also be generated in response to internal reset instructions issued by the controller's main CPU. The reset instructions can be issued whenever the first controller determines that its own configuration information is inconsistent. As a result of the reset instruction being issued the external common reset signal is activated as an output to reset the external system (i.e., the external common reset signal is bidirectional). The self-reset operation can be over-ridden by a reset disable instruction.
摘要:
Apparatus and systems for improved access to storage devices from the sides of sleds mounted in storage enclosures. Embodiments provide apparatus and systems for a sled in a storage enclosure that provides access to storage devices on either side of the sled when the sled is slid forward out of its enclosure. Multiple sleds may be enclosed within a single enclosure to permit access to a portion of the storage devices in the enclosure hence reducing the problems of instability of the rack if the enclosure is mounted near the top of the rack.
摘要:
Systems and associated methods for flexible scalability of storage systems. In one aspect, a storage controller may include an interface to a fabric adapted to permit each storage controller coupled to the fabric to directly access memory mapped components of all other storage controllers coupled to the fabric. The CPU and other master device circuits within a storage controller may directly address memory an I/O devices directly coupled thereto within the same storage controller and may use RDMA features to directly address memory an I/O devices of other storage controllers through the fabric interface.
摘要:
Apparatus, systems and methods for clustering multiple PCI Express hierarchies to enable access of components in different hierarchies. Each PCI Express hierarchy includes a root device as well as a cluster port for coupling each hierarchy to each other hierarchy of a physical cluster through a PCI Express switched fabric. Memory addresses and transaction IDs are re-mapped by the cluster port of each hierarchy to partition the PCI Express space of the system of multiple hierarchies. A first portion of the partitioned space is reserved for access to local components within a hierarchy. A second portion of the space is used to access remote components of other hierarchies from within a different first hierarchy. The address and transaction ID values exchanged in such remote transactions are re-mapped and used by the cluster port of each hierarchy to route exchanges between hierarchies using standard PCIe root devices, endpoint devices, and switches.
摘要:
Snapshot sets comprising snapshot criteria are created, maintained, and executed via a command set designed to facilitate managing and conducting snapshots on data distributed across multiple volumes. Snapshot criteria such as source volume, target volume, redundancy level, copy mode, and the like are added as desired to a snapshot set. Upon invocation of an execute command, the fast replication operations defined by the snapshot set are executed, providing a logically atomic data replication utility potentially involving multiple sources and targets. In one embodiment auto selection of a target may be specified, thus facilitating over-subscription of target resources. The present invention reduces the complexity of archiving data—particularly data distributed across multiple volumes such as data associated with database applications and the like.
摘要:
A circuit providing a wireless connection for receipt and/or transmission of electronic signals between a storage device and an external device such as a host system, a storage subsystem controller, or a storage subsystem. The wireless connection circuit may include a wireless data connection to provide wireless exchange of data signals between the storage device and the external device. The wireless connection circuit may also provide an inductive coupling for power supplied to the storage device. In one aspect hereof the wireless connectivity (data, power or both) may be provided as enhanced circuits on a controller circuit integrated with the storage device. In another aspect hereof, the wireless connectivity may be provided as an adapter or interface circuit coupled to an existing storage device interface to adapt wired connections of the storage device to an external device through a wireless signal exchange protocol.
摘要:
Methods and apparatus for improved calculation of redundancy information in RAID storage controllers. Features and aspects hereof provide for a firmware/software element (FPE) for generating redundancy information in combination with a custom logic circuit (HPE) designed to generate redundancy information. A scheduler element operable on a processor of a storage controller along with the FPE determines which of the FPE and HPE is best suited to rapidly complete a new redundancy computation operation and activates or queues the new operation for performance by the selected component.