Locking technique for control and synchronization
US6973549B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L67/1097
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Described are techniques used in a computer system for handling data operations to storage devices. A switching fabric includes one or more fast paths for handling lightweight, common data operations and at least one control path for handling other data operations. A control path manages one or more fast paths. The fast path and the control path are utilized in mapping virtual to physical addresses using mapping tables. The mapping tables include an extent table of one or more entries corresponding to varying address ranges. The size of an extent may be changed dynamically in accordance with a corresponding state change of physical storage. The fast path may cache only portions of the extent table as needed in accordance with a caching technique. The fast path may cache a subset of the extent table stored within the control path. A set of primitives may be used in performing data operations. A locking mechanism is described for controlling access to data shared by the control paths.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.