Methods and apparatus for coordinating shared multiple raid controller access to common storage devices
US6073218A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 6, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F12/0866
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and associated apparatus for performing concurrent I/O operations on a common shared subset of disk drives (LUNs) by a plurality of RAID controllers. The methods of the present invention are operable in all of a plurality of RAID controllers to coordinate concurrent access to a shared set of disk drives. In addition to providing redundancy features, the plurality of RAID controllers operable in accordance with the methods of the present invention enhance the performance of a RAID subsystem by better utilizing available processing power among the plurality of RAID controllers. Under the methods of the present invention, each of a plurality of RAID controllers may actively process different I/O requests on a common shared subset of disk drives. One of the plurality of controllers is designated as primary with respect to a particular shared subset of disk drives. The plurality of RAID controllers then exchange messages over a communication medium to coordinate concurrent access to the shared subset of disk drives through the primary controller. The messages exchanged include semaphore lock and release requests to coordinate exclusive access during critical operations as well a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.