Storage controller redundancy using bi-directional reflective memory channel
US6941396B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99953
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A bi-directional reflective memory channel between a pair of storage controllers is used to maintain a mirrored copy of each storage controller's native buffer contents within the buffer of the other storage controller. To maintain such mirrored copies, buffer write operations that fall within a reflective memory segment of one storage controller are automatically reflected across this channel to the other storage controller for execution, and vice versa. The write operations are preferably transmitted across the reflective memory channel using a protocol that provides for error checking, acknowledgements, and retransmissions. This protocol is preferably implemented entirely in automated circuitry, so that the mirrored copies are maintained without any CPU intervention during error-free operation. When a failover occurs, the surviving storage controller uses the mirrored copy of the failed storage controller's native buffer contents to assume control over the failed storage controller's disk drives.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.