Method and apparatus for implementing resilient connectivity in a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) domain

• US 20050071532A1
• Filed: 09/25/2003
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Schimke, Timothy Jerry, Bakke, Brian Eric
• Granted Patent: US 7,039,741 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2005 using redundant communication controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2007 using redundant communication media
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for implementing resilient connectivity in a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) domain. A first edge expander is connected to a first port of a plurality of SAS devices for enabling communications between each of the plurality of SAS devices through the first edge expander. A second edge expander is connected to a second port of the plurality of SAS devices for enabling communications between each of the plurality of SAS devices through the second edge expander. A subtractive routing port of each of the first edge expander and the second edge expander is connected together for enabling communications between each of the plurality of SAS devices via the first ports and the second ports of the plurality of SAS devices.

Claims

1. A method for implementing resilient connectivity in a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) domain comprising the steps of:

connecting a first edge expander to a first port of a plurality of SAS devices for enabling communications between each of said plurality of SAS devices through said first edge expander;

connecting a second edge expander to a second port of said plurality of SAS devices for enabling communications between each of said plurality of SAS devices through said second edge expander; and

connecting together a subtractive routing port of each of said first edge expander and said second edge expander for enabling communications between each of said plurality of SAS devices via said first ports and said second ports of said plurality of SAS devices.

2. A method for implementing resilient connectivity in a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) domain as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of connecting said first edge expander includes the step of connecting respective direct routing ports of said first edge expander to said first port of said plurality of SAS devices;

and wherein the step of connecting said second edge expander includes the step of connecting respective direct routing ports of said second edge expander to said second ports of said plurality of SAS devices.

3. A method for implementing resilient connectivity in a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) domain as recited in claim 1 includes the step of ganging together multiple point-to-point links to form said subtractive routing ports of said first edge expander and said second edge expander for enabling multiple concurrent connections with said subtractive routing ports.

4. A method for implementing resilient connectivity in a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) domain as recited in claim 1 includes the step of utilizing said subtractive routing ports of said first edge expander and said second edge expander for communicating from said first ports of said plurality of SAS devices to said second ports of said plurality of SAS devices.

5. A method for implementing resilient connectivity in a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) domain as recited in claim 1 includes the step of utilizing said subtractive routing ports of said first edge expander and said second edge expander for communicating from said second ports of said plurality of SAS devices to said first ports of said plurality of SAS devices.

6. A method for implementing resilient connectivity in a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) domain as recited in claim 1 includes the step of selectively utilizing said subtractive routing ports of said first edge expander and said second edge expander for workload balancing of communications between said plurality of SAS devices with a failure of one or more of said first and second ports of said plurality of SAS devices.

7. Apparatus for implementing resilient connectivity in a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) domain comprising:

a plurality of SAS devices, each having a first port and a second port;

a first edge expander and a second edge expander, each edge expander having a plurality of direct routing ports and a subtractive routing port;

each of said plurality of direct routing ports of said first edge expander respectively connected to said first port of a respective one of said plurality of SAS devices for enabling communications between each of said plurality of SAS devices;

each of said plurality of direct routing ports of the second edge expander respectively connected to said second port of a respective one of said plurality of SAS devices for enabling communications between each of said plurality of SAS devices; and

said subtractive routing ports of said first edge expander and said second edge expander connected together for enabling communications between each of said plurality of SAS devices via said first ports and said second ports of said plurality of SAS devices.

8. Apparatus for implementing resilient connectivity in a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) domain as recited in claim 7 wherein said subtractive routing ports of said first edge expander and said second edge expander include multiple point-to-point links enabling multiple concurrent connections.

9. Apparatus for implementing resilient connectivity in a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) domain as recited in claim 7 wherein said subtractive routing ports of said first edge expander and said second edge expander are used for communicating from said first ports of said plurality of SAS devices to said second ports of said plurality of SAS devices.

10. Apparatus for implementing resilient connectivity in a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) domain as recited in claim 7 wherein said subtractive routing ports of said first edge expander and said second edge expander are used for communicating from said second ports of said plurality of SAS devices to said first ports of said plurality of SAS devices.

11. A Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) network for implementing resilient connectivity in a SAS domain comprising:

a first edge expander and a second edge expander, each edge expander having a plurality of direct routing ports and a subtractive routing port;

each of said plurality of direct routing ports of said first edge expander respectively connected to said first port of a respective one of a plurality of SAS devices for enabling communications between each of said plurality of SAS devices;

each of said plurality of direct routing ports of the second edge expander respectively connected to a second port of a respective one of said plurality of SAS devices for enabling communications between each of said plurality of SAS devices; and

said subtractive routing ports of said first edge expander and said second edge expander connected together for enabling communications between each of said plurality of SAS devices via said first ports and said second ports of said plurality of SAS devices.

12. A Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) network as recited in claim 11 wherein said subtractive routing ports of said first edge expander and said second edge expander include multiple point-to-point links enabling multiple concurrent connections.