Fiber channel topological structure and method including structure and method for raid devices and controllers
US6219753A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/201
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
System, apparatus and method for interconnecting computer devices define an interconnect topology maximizing performance and device availability in the event of a communication channel failure. Structure and method are particularly relevant and beneficial to a computer RAID disk interconnection topology for Fibre Channel connections to improve RAID array performance and data availability, but is not limited to such RAID systems, and other devices may be interconnected according to the structure and method of the invention. A topology having multiple dual-ported controllers configured in a tube topology is provided for a switchable configuration having a plurality of channels and an plurality of controllers arranged in a tube topology or structure. In the event of a channel failure for this structure, the load will be evenly distributed to the remaining controllers. One embodiment provides a data storage system having a plurality of storage devices each having first and second access ports, a plurality of communication channels, a controller controlling access by the plurality storage devices to the plurality of channels, where at least one of the devices is connected via the first …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.