System and method for providing multi-initiator capability to an ATA drive
First Claim
1. An adapter for enabling multiple hosts to share access to a single serial ATA device, comprising:
- a switch for receiving commands from multiple hosts;
a memory module for storing identifying information associated with a received command;
an arbitration logic module operatively connected to the switch for assigning a priority scheme to received commands; and
a state machine that determines when a received command has been completed by the serial ATA device and updates the memory module to indicate that the command has been completed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-port adapter and method of operation suitable for use with serial ATA devices is disclosed. An adapter includes a switch that receives input from multiple host devices and an arbiter module for assigning a priority scheme to received commands. An outstanding request table is implemented as a memory module for storing identifying information associated with commands received from multiple host devices, and a free pointers queue is maintained to track slots available in the outstanding request table. A command tracker state machine decodes incoming requests from hosts, monitors the execution by these commands by the ATA device, and updates the memory module to reflect completion of commands. Also disclosed is a storage system including an adapter of the present invention and ATA storage devices.
68 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An adapter for enabling multiple hosts to share access to a single serial ATA device, comprising:
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a switch for receiving commands from multiple hosts;
a memory module for storing identifying information associated with a received command;
an arbitration logic module operatively connected to the switch for assigning a priority scheme to received commands; and
a state machine that determines when a received command has been completed by the serial ATA device and updates the memory module to indicate that the command has been completed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for enabling multiple hosts to share access to a single serial ATA device, comprising the steps of:
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receiving commands from a plurality of hosts;
storing identifying information associated with received commands in a memory module;
executing an arbitration scheme to assign a priority to received commands;
forwarding the received command having the highest priority to the serial ATA device;
monitoring execution of the commands by the serial ATA device; and
updating the memory module to reflect completion of a command. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification