Network system for image data
First Claim
1. A networked image data processing environment, comprising a plurality of image data processing systems;
- a plurality of data storage systems, wherein each of said data storage systems is operated under the direct control of one of said image processing systems;
a high bandwidth switching means connected to each of said data processing systems;
a low bandwidth network connecting said image processing systems and to said switching means, by which one of said processing systems controls the operation of said switching means, and in which a first processing system requests access to a data storage system controlled by a second processing system over said low bandwidth network;
said second processing system makes an identification of storage regions that may be accessed by said first processing system and to each of said storage systems;
said second processing system conveys said identification to said first processing system over said low bandwidth network; and
said first processing system accesses said identified storage portion via said high bandwidth switching means.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A networked image processing environment has several image data processing systems (501-508). In addition, there are provided many storage systems (511-518) in which each of the data storage systems is operated under the direct control of one of the image processing systems. A fiber channel switch (521) is connected to each of the data processing systems and to each of the storage systems. A low bandwidth Ethernet (551) connects the image processing systems together and is also connected to the fiber channel switch. Under this arrangement, the fiber channel switch is controlled by one of the processing systems. A first processing system requests access to a data storage system controlled by a second processing system over the Ethernet. The second processing system makes an identification of storage regions that may be accessed by the first processing system then conveys this identification to the first processing system, again over the Ethernet. Having received this information, the first processing system accesses the identified storage portion but this time via the high bandwidth switching means. This provides a stable environment which allows host processors to gain access at full bandwidth to storage systems controlled by other hosts processors.
17 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A networked image data processing environment, comprising a plurality of image data processing systems;
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a plurality of data storage systems, wherein each of said data storage systems is operated under the direct control of one of said image processing systems;
a high bandwidth switching means connected to each of said data processing systems;
a low bandwidth network connecting said image processing systems and to said switching means, by which one of said processing systems controls the operation of said switching means, and in which a first processing system requests access to a data storage system controlled by a second processing system over said low bandwidth network;
said second processing system makes an identification of storage regions that may be accessed by said first processing system and to each of said storage systems;
said second processing system conveys said identification to said first processing system over said low bandwidth network; and
said first processing system accesses said identified storage portion via said high bandwidth switching means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of transferring data in a networked image data processing environment, including a plurality of image data processing systems, a plurality of data storage systems, a high bandwidth switching means connected to each of said data processing systems and to each of said storage systems, and a low bandwidth network connected to said image processing systems and to said switching means, by which one of said processing systems controls the operation of said switching means, wherein said method performs the steps of:
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operating each of said data storage systems under the direct control of one of said image processing systems;
issuing a request from a first processing system to access a data storage system controlled by said second processing system over said low bandwidth network;
making an identification at said second processing system of storage regions that may be accessed by said first processing system;
conveying said identification from said second processing system to said first processing system over said low bandwidth network; and
accessing said identified storage portion by said first processing system via said high bandwidth switching means. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions executable by a computer such that, when executing said instructions, a computer will perform the steps of
directly controlling a local disk storage system; -
issuing a request to access a data storage system controlled by a second processing system over a low bandwidth network;
receiving an indication from said remote processing system identifying storage locations that may be accessed on said second storage system;
accessing said data portions through a high bandwidth switching means connected to each of said processing systems and to each of said storage systems. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions executable by a computer such that, when executing said instructions, a computer will perform the steps of
directly controlling a local disk storage system; -
responding to a request from a remote data processing system to access said local disk storage system;
identify a portion of said local disk processing system that may be accessed by said remote processing system; and
issuing an indication to the effect that said remote processing system may gain access to said storage system via a high bandwidth switching means. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification