Giving access to networked storage dependent upon local demand
First Claim
1. Image data processing apparatus 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 network connected to each of said data processing systems and to each of said data storage systems, and a low bandwidth network connected to each of said data processing systems;
wherein a first processing system includes requesting means configured to request access to a data storage system controlled by a second processing system over said low bandwidth network;
said second processing system includes bandwidth assessment means configured to assess an extent to which said second processing system requires access to said storage system, comparison means configured to make an indication of storage regions that may be accessed if said extent is below a predetermined threshold, and sending means configured to convey said indication over said low bandwidth network to said first processing system, wherein said first processing system includes accessing means configured to access said storage system via said high bandwidth network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Data is transferred over a network having many image data processing systems (101, 102). A high bandwidth network (121) is connected to each of the data processing systems and to each of several storage systems (111, 112). Each of the storage systems is operated under the direct control of one of the processing systems. A request is issued from a first processing system to access a data storage system controlled by a second processing system over a low bandwidth network (151). A bandwidth assessment process assesses an extent to which the second processing system requires access to its local storage system. The first processing system is given access to the second storage system if an assessment is made to the effect that local access requirements are identified as being below a predetermined threshold.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Image data processing apparatus comprising:
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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 network connected to each of said data processing systems and to each of said data storage systems, and a low bandwidth network connected to each of said data processing systems;
whereina first processing system includes requesting means configured to request access to a data storage system controlled by a second processing system over said low bandwidth network;
said second processing system includes bandwidth assessment means configured to assess an extent to which said second processing system requires access to said storage system, comparison means configured to make an indication of storage regions that may be accessed if said extent is below a predetermined threshold, and sending means configured to convey said indication over said low bandwidth network to said first processing system, wherein said first processing system includes accessing means configured to access said storage system via said high bandwidth network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. 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 network 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, wherein said method comprises;
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;
using bandwidth assessment means at said second processing system to assess an extent to which said second processing system requires access to said storage system;
using comparison means at said second processing system to make an indication of storage regions that may be accessed if said extent is below a predetermined threshold;
making an identification at said second processing system of said storage regions that may be accessed;
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 network. - View Dependent Claims (20)
- a high bandwidth network connected to each of said data processing systems and to each of said storage systems; and
Specification