System and method for providing multi-initiator capability to an ATA drive
US6961813B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 2003 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F12/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multi-port adapter and method of operation suitable for use with serial ATA devices is disclosed. An adapter includes a switch that receives input from multiple host devices and an arbiter module for assigning a priority scheme to received commands. An outstanding request table is implemented as a memory module for storing identifying information associated with commands received from multiple host devices, and a free pointers queue is maintained to track slots available in the outstanding request table. A command tracker state machine decodes incoming requests from hosts, monitors the execution by these commands by the ATA device, and updates the memory module to reflect completion of commands. Also disclosed is a storage system including an adapter of the present invention and ATA storage devices.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.