Data array having redundancy messaging between array controllers over the host bus
First Claim
1. A data array system for providing a host computer device having a host bus redundant access to a data storage device, comprising:
- an active controller linked to the host bus and the data storage device, the active controller including a messaging mechanism for transmitting the messages and data over the host bus; and
a standby controller linked to the host bus and the data storage device, the standby controller including message and data buffers for storing the messages and data, whereby the host bus functions as an inter-controller-link.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data array system, and inter-controller-link messaging method, for controlling redundant access to a storage device and providing inter-controller communication without a dedicated controller link. The host has a host bus, such as a PCI bus, and the system includes an active and a standby controller that are linked to the host bus and use the host bus for an inter-controller-link. A messaging mechanism transmits messages and data over the host bus from the active to the standby controller. The standby controller includes message and data buffers for storing the messages and data written and a message queue in which the active controller writes a signal identifier indicating that a new message has been written and defining the message for processing by the standby controller (such as a message-only transfer, a partial or all data transfer, or as a data-only transfer).
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A data array system for providing a host computer device having a host bus redundant access to a data storage device, comprising:
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an active controller linked to the host bus and the data storage device, the active controller including a messaging mechanism for transmitting the messages and data over the host bus; and
a standby controller linked to the host bus and the data storage device, the standby controller including message and data buffers for storing the messages and data, whereby the host bus functions as an inter-controller-link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for providing inter-controller communications between an active controller and a standby controller configured for redundant communications between a host and a storage device and linked to a host bus, comprising:
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at the active controller, building a message;
with the active controller, transferring the message to the standby controller;
with the active controller, writing to a command/reply queue at the standby controller;
with the standby controller, checking the command/reply queue for a next message; and
upon detecting the next message, processing with the standby controller the transferred message. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A data storage system with redundant data storage, comprising:
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a host processor;
an active controller controlling access by the host computer device to data storage devices;
a standby controller controlling access by the host computer device to the data storage devices; and
a host bus communicatively linking the host processor, the active controller, and the standby controller, wherein the active and standby controllers include redundancy messaging mechanisms configured to assert and sample signals on the host bus to provide inter-controller communications over the host bus. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for providing inter-controller communications between an active controller and a standby controller configured for redundant communications between a host and a storage device and linked to a host bus, comprising:
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at the standby controller, specifying a range of memory in the standby controller as an interrupt range;
with the active controller, writing data to the interrupt range of the standby controller; and
at the standby controller, driving a local interrupt. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification