Methods and apparatus for coordinating shared multiple raid controller access to common storage devices
US6457098B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0689
- 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. The plurality of RAID controllers operable enhance the performance of a RAID subsystem by better utilizing available processing power among the plurality of RAID controllers. 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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.