Data storage system with adaptive data path routing
First Claim
1. A system comprising a network controller connected to a plurality of data storage units each comprising a local controller and memory, a first data set directed from a first data storage unit of the plurality of data storage units via a primary data path as directed by a front-end routing module of the network controller, the network controller configured to adapt to an amount of data accesses by transferring a second data set from a second data storage unit of the plurality of data storage units via a back-end data path as directed by a back-end routing module of the network controller, the primary data path extending through a routing circuit to the first data storage unit, the back-end data path extending from the first data storage unit to the second data storage unit without passing through the routing circuit.
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Abstract
A data storage system can have adaptive data path routing that consists of a network controller connected to a plurality of data storage units that each have a local controller and memory. A front-end module of the network controller may direct a first data set from a first data storage unit of the plurality of data storage units via a primary data. A back-end routing module of the network controller can adapt to an amount of data accesses by transferring a second data set from a second data storage unit of the plurality of data storage units via a back-end data path.
26 Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A system comprising a network controller connected to a plurality of data storage units each comprising a local controller and memory, a first data set directed from a first data storage unit of the plurality of data storage units via a primary data path as directed by a front-end routing module of the network controller, the network controller configured to adapt to an amount of data accesses by transferring a second data set from a second data storage unit of the plurality of data storage units via a back-end data path as directed by a back-end routing module of the network controller, the primary data path extending through a routing circuit to the first data storage unit, the back-end data path extending from the first data storage unit to the second data storage unit without passing through the routing circuit.
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10. A method comprising:
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connecting a network controller to a plurality of data storage units each comprising a local controller and memory; directing a first data set from a first data storage unit of the plurality of data storage units via a primary data path as directed by a front-end routing module of the network controller, the primary data path extending from the network controller to the first data storage unit via a routing circuit; detecting a number of active data storage units in the plurality of data storage units with the network controller; and transferring a second data set from a second data storage unit of the plurality of data storage units via a back-end data path as directed by a back-end routing module of the network controller in response to the detected number of active data storage units, the back-end data path extending from the first data storage unit to the second data storage unit without passing through the network controller or routing circuit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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- 18. An apparatus comprising a network controller connected to a plurality of data storage units each comprising a local controller and memory, the network controller comprising a front-end routing module and a back-end routing module respectively directing data to the plurality of data storage units via a primary data path and a separate back-end data path in response to a detected number of active data storage units in the plurality of data storage units, the back-end data path extending between data storage units of the plurality of data storage units without passing through the network controller.
Specification