Method and apparatus for identifying one or more devices having faults in a communication loop
US7007191B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L43/0817
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system identifies one or more devices having faults in a communication loop. The system includes an interface, a decision module, and a connection processor. The interface is configured for sending requests for information to each device of the communication loop and for receiving responses to the requests. The devices may include computer disk drives for use in a storage system. The requests may include Read-Link Status (RLS) commands sent to the computer disk drives. The RLS commands may provide diagnostics of the disk drives connected to the loop. The decision module is communicatively connected to the interface for weighting the responses of each device to identify the devices having the faults. The responses may be weighted based on the relative potential for disrupting operability of the system. The communication loop may include an FC loop that allows communications between a host system and the computer disk drives.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.