Method and apparatus for controlling communications in data storage complexes
First Claim
1. A controller for positioning on a shelf of a data storage cabinet in a mass storage system, comprising:
- an interface to a data communication loop linked to device enclosures each including a plurality of data devices and an enclosure processor, wherein the interface is adapted for transmitting control commands onto the data communication loop;
a cabinet bus interface controller linked to a cabinet bus in the data storage cabinet and adapted to receive enclosure reporting messages from the device enclosures including environmental information for the device enclosures and to transmit subenclosure messages including environmental information for the controller; and
a processor for creating the control commands and the subenclosure messages.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A controller for positioning on a shelf of a cabinet within a mass storage system for controlling communication among device enclosures in a reporting group. The controller includes an interface to a data communication loop linking device enclosures each including disk drives positioned on one or more cabinets. The interface is used to transmit control commands. A cabinet bus interface controller is provided and linked to a cabinet bus in the cabinet to receive enclosure reporting messages from the device enclosures to collect environment information. The cabinet bus interface transmits reporting messages onto the cabinet bus to provide environmental information. The interface controller determines the shelf location of the controller within the cabinet from signals on the cabinet bus and receives the cabinet identifier over the cabinet bus. A processor is linked to the interface controller and functions to create and issue the control commands to the loop interface.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A controller for positioning on a shelf of a data storage cabinet in a mass storage system, comprising:
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an interface to a data communication loop linked to device enclosures each including a plurality of data devices and an enclosure processor, wherein the interface is adapted for transmitting control commands onto the data communication loop;
a cabinet bus interface controller linked to a cabinet bus in the data storage cabinet and adapted to receive enclosure reporting messages from the device enclosures including environmental information for the device enclosures and to transmit subenclosure messages including environmental information for the controller; and
a processor for creating the control commands and the subenclosure messages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of controlling communications in a data storage complex, comprising:
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providing a controller including a processor for creating and transmitting control commands and a cabinet bus interface controller for providing an interface between the processor and other devices in the storage complex; and
communicatively linking the controller to a plurality of enclosures with a data communication loop and with a cabinet bus, wherein the control commands are transmitted over the data communication loop and wherein environmental status messages are received by the controller over the cabinet bus. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification