Data storage system for providing redundant copies of data on different disk drives

• US 5,155,845 A
• Filed: 06/15/1990
• Issued: 10/13/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Storage Technologies Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Storage Technologies Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Eifert, Fred C., Milligan, Charles A., Rudeseal, George A., Beal, David G., Swiatek, Paul R., Ludlam, Henry S.
• Primary Examiner(s): ATKINSON, CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US07/538,911
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 371/10.1, 371/9.1, 371/11.1, 364/245.3, 364/268.5, 395/575
• US Class Current: 714/6.12
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1402 Saving, restoring, recovering or retrying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2058 using more than 2 mirrored copies
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2071 using a plurality of controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2074 Asynchronous techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2079 Bidirectional techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2089 Redundant storage control functionality
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2094 Redundant storage or storage space G06F11/2056 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 29/74 using duplex memories, i.e. using dual copies

Abstract

A disk storage system that writes multiple copies of records directed to user-specified volumes. A plurality of spaced apart control units interconnected by direct data links and a corresponding plurality of sets of recording means communicate over the direct data links when a write request is received by one control unit to cause one volume in each set of recording means to write a copy of the received record.

Claims

1. In a data storage system adapted to be connected to a host computer, said system comprising:

a first independently operable data storage control,

a second independently operable data storage control,

a first recording means comprising a plurality of different recording elements connected to said first data storage control and a second recording means comprising a plurality of different recording elements connected to said second data storage control,

each of said data storage controls being operable independently of each other to effect the writing of a data record by a specified one of the plurality of recording elements to which each said data storage control is connected,

a data link transmission path interconnecting said first and second data storage controls,

means in said first data storage control for receiving a command from said host computer requesting that an accompanying data record for each subsequent data record write request directed to a first recording element of said first recording means be written by said first recording element of said first recording means as well as by a first recording element of said second recording means,

means in said first data storage control for receiving from said host computer a write request and an accompanying data record requesting that said accompanying data record be written by a specified recording element of said first recording means,

means unique to said first data storage control and operable independently of said second data storage control and responsive to the reception of said write request and accompanying data record for effecting the writing of said data record by said specified recording element of said first recording means,

means in said first data storage control further responsive to the receipt of said write request and said accompanying data record when said specified recording element of said first recording means comprises said first recording element of said first recording means for transmitting said write request and said accompanying data record over said data link transmission path to said second data storage control, and

means unique to said second data storage control and operable independently of said first data storage control and responsive to the receipt of said write request and said accompanying data record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said data record by said first recording element of said second recording means.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said data link transmission path comprises a direct connection between said first an second data storage controls that is devoid of switching means.

3. The system of claim 1 in combination with:

a third data storage control connected to a third recording means comprising a plurality of different recording elements,

a second data link transmission path connecting said second data storage control with said third data storage control,

means in said second data storage control responsive to the receipt of said write request and said accompanying data record for transmitting said write request and said accompanying data record over said second data link transmission path to said third data storage control, and

means unique to said third data storage control and operable independently of said first data storage control and said second data storage control and responsive to the reception of said write request and accompanying data record over said second data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said data record by a first recording element of said third recording means.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said data storage controls contains a cache memory,

means in each data storage control responsive to the receipt of said data record by said each data storage control for entering said received data record into the cache memory of said each data storage control,

means for returning a command complete signal to said host computer from said first data storage control when said data record is entered into said cache memory of each data storage control, and

wherein said means for effecting the writing of said data record comprises means for applying said data record in each cache memory to the recording means connected to the data storage control containing said each cache memory to control the writing of said data record by said first recording element of said recording means of each data storage control.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein a command complete signal is returned by said first data storage control to said host computer after said data record is written by said first recording element of said recording means of each data storage control.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said means in said first data storage control for receiving said write request and accompanying data record comprises a first path extending from said host computer to said first data storage control for the reception of information including write requests and accompanying data records from said host computer;

said system further comprising;

a second path extending from said host computer to said second data storage control for the transmission of information including write requests and accompanying data records from said host computer to said second data storage control,

said second data storage control being responsive to the receipt of said write requests and accompanying data records over said second path to effect the writing by said first recording element of said second recording means of said data records received over said second path.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said data link transmission path comprises a direct connection between said first and second data storage controls that is devoid of switching means.

8. The system of claim 6 in combination with:

means in second data storage control further responsive to said receipt of said write requests and accompanying data records received over said second path for transmitting said write requests and accompanying data records over said data link transmission path to said first data storage control, and

means in said first data storage control responsive to said receipt of said write requests and accompanying data records over said data link transmission path to effect the writing by said first recording element of said first recording means of said records received by said first data storage control over said data link transmission path.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said data link transmission path comprises a direct connection between said first and second data storage controls that is devoid of switching means.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein each of said data storage controls contains a cache memory,

means in each data storage control responsive to the receipt of a write request and accompanying data record over said path connected to said data storage control for entering said received data record into the cache memory of said data storage control that received said write request and data record over said path,

means for returning a command complete to said host computer from the data storage control that received said write request and data record from said host computer when said data record is entered into said cache memory of each data storage control, and

wherein said means for effecting the writing of said data record comprises means for applying said data record in each cache memory to the recording means connected to the data storage control containing said each cache memory to control the writing of said data record by said first recording element of said recording means.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein a command complete signal is returned to said host computer by a data storage control that receives a data record from said host computer after said data record is written by each of said first recording elements of said recording means.

12. In a data storage system adapted to be connected to a host computer, said system comprising:

a first independently operable data storage control,

a second independently operable data storage control,

a first group of disk drives connected to said first data storage control and a second group of disk drives connected to said second data storage control,

each of said data storage controls being operable independently of each other to effect the writing of a data record by a specified one of the disk drives to which said each data storage control is connected,

a data link transmission path interconnecting said data storage controls,

means in said first data storage control for receiving data record write requests from said host computer,

means unique to said first data storage control and operable independently of said second data storage control and responsive to the reception of a data record write request and an accompanying data record for effecting the writing of said received data record by said first group of disk drives,

means in said first data storage control for receiving a command sequence from said host computer requesting that multiple record copies be written for subsequently received record write request directed to a specified one of said disk drives of said first group of disk drives,

means in said first data storage control responsive to the subsequent receipt of a record write request and an accompanying data record directed to said specified one disk drive for transmitting said received record accompanying said write request over said data link transmission path to said second data storage control,

means unique to said first data storage control and operable independently of said second data storage control and further responsive to said subsequent receipt of said record write request for effecting the writing of said accompanying record by said specified one disk drive of said first group, and

means unique to said second data storage control and operable independently of said first data storage control and responsive to the reception of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive of said second group.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said data link transmission path comprises a direct connection between said data storage controls that is devoid of switching means.

14. The system of claim 12 in combination with:

a third data storage control connected to a third group of disk drives,

a second data link transmission path connecting said second data storage control with said third data storage control,

means in said second data storage control responsive to the receipt of said record for transmitting said record over said second data link transmission path to said third data storage control, and

means unique to said third data storage control and operable independently of said first data storage control and said second data storage control and responsive to the receipt of said record over said second data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive of said third group of disk drives.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein each of said data storage controls contains a cache memory,

means in each data storage control responsive to the receipt of a record by said each data storage control for entering said each received record into the cache memory of said each data storage control,

means for returning a command complete signal to said host computer from said first data storage control when a record received by each data storage control is entered into said cache memory of said each data storage control, and

wherein said means for effecting the writing of said record comprises means for applying said record in each cache memory to a disk drive connected to the data storage control containing said each cache memory to control the writing of said record by said disk drive.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein a command complete signal is returned to said host computer by said first data storage control after said record is written by a disk drive of each of said groups.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein said means in said first data storage control for receiving said record comprises a first path extending from said host computer to said first data storage control for the reception of information including data records from said host computer;

said system further comprising;

a second path extending from said host computer to said second data storage control for the transmission of information including data records to said second data storage control,

means in said second data storage control for receiving a data record write request over said second path from said host computer,

means in said second data storage control responsive to the receipt of each received data record write request and an accompanying data record for effecting the writing of said accompanying data record by said second group of disk drives,

means in said second data storage control for receiving a command sequence from said host computer requesting that multiple record copies be written for subsequently received data record write request directed to a specified one of said disk drives of said second group of disk drives,

means in said second data storage control responsive to the subsequent receipt of a data record write request and accompanying data record directed to said specified one disk drive of said second group for transmitting said received record over said data link transmission path to said first data storage control,

means unique to said second data storage control and operable independently of said first data storage control and further responsive to said subsequent receipt of said record write request and accompanying data record for effecting the writing of said received record by said specified one disk drive of said second group, and

means unique to said first data storage control and operable independently of said second data storage control and responsive to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive of said first group of disk drives.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein each of said data storage controls contains a cache memory,

means in each data storage control responsive to the receipt of a record by said each data storage control for entering said received record into the cache memory of said each data storage control,

means for returning a command complete signal to said host computer from said data storage control that receives a record from said host computer when said record is entered into said cache memory of each data storage control, and

wherein said means for effecting a writing of each record comprises means for applying a record in each cache memory to a disk drive connected to the data storage control containing said each cache memory to control the writing of said record by said disk drive.

19. In a data storage system adapted to be connected over channel interface paths to a first and a second host computer for the writing of multiple copies of records received by said system over any of said paths from either of said host computers, said system comprising:

a first and a second data storage control connected via separate ones of said channel interface paths to each of said host computers,

a first group of disk drives connected to said first data storage control and a second group of disk drives connected to said second data storage control,

a direct data link transmission path devoid of switching means interconnecting said data storage controls,

means in each of said data storage controls for receiving a data record from either of said host computers over said paths,

means unique to each data storage control and operable independently of the other data storage control and responsive to the reception of a data record over one of said paths for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive of the group to which said each data storage control receiving said record is connected,

means in said each data storage control responsive to the receipt of said record over one of said paths for transmitting said record over said data link transmission path to the other one of said data storage controls, and

means unique to said other data storage control and operable independently of the other data storage control and responsive to the reception of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive of the group to which said other data storage control is connected.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein each of said data storage controls contains a cache memory,

means in each data storage control responsive to the receipt of said record over an interface path for entering said received record into the cache memory of each of said data storage controls,

means for returning a command complete signal to said host computer from the data storage control that receives a record over an interface path when said received record is entered into said cache memory of each of said data storage controls, and

wherein said means for effecting the writing of said received record comprises means for applying said record in each cache memory to a disk drive connected to the data storage control containing said each cache memory to control the writing of said record by said disk drive of each data storage control.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein a command complete signal is returned by said first data storage control to said host computer after said record is written by a drive in each of said groups of disk drives.

22. In a data storage system adapted to be connected over channel interface paths to a first and a second host computer for the writing of multiple copies of records received by said system over any of said paths from either of said host computers, said system comprising:

m independently operable data storage controls connected via separate ones of said channel interface paths to each of said host computers,

m groups of disk drives each group of which is individual to and connected to a different one of said data storage controls,

a plurality of direct data link transmission paths devoid of switching means interconnecting said data storage controls wherein each data link transmission path interconnects a unique pair of said data storage controls and wherein each of said data storage controls is connected by one of said data link transmission paths to another one of said data storage controls,

means in each of said data storage controls for receiving a data record over one of said paths from either of said host computers,

means in each data storage control responsive to the receipt of a data record over one of said paths for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive of the group to which said each data storage control receiving said record is connected,

means in said each data storage control responsive to the receipt of said record over one of said paths for transmitting said record over the one of said data link transmission paths connected to said each data storage control to the other one of said data storage controls that is connected to said last named data link transmission path,

means in said other data storage control responsive to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record received over said data link transmission path by a disk drive of the group to which said other one data storage control is connected, and

means in said other data storage control for extending said received record over another one of said data link transmission paths to which said other data storage control is connected to another one of said data storage controls for the writing of said record by a disk drive of the group to which said last named data storage control is connected.

23. In a data storage system adapted to be connected over channel interface paths to a first and a second host computer for the writing of multiple copies of records received by said system over any of said paths from either of said host computers, said system comprising:

m data storage controls connected via separate ones of said channel interface paths to each of said host computers,

m groups of disk drives each group of which is individual to and connected to a different one of said data storage controls,

a plurality of direct data link transmission paths devoid of switching means interconnecting said data storage controls wherein each data link transmission path interconnects a unique pair of said data storage controls and wherein each of said data storage controls is connected over one of said links to another one of said data storage controls,

means in each data storage control for receiving channel program command sequences from one of said host computers over one of said interface paths with each sequence requesting the control of functions by said each data storage control,

means in said each data storage control responsive to the receipt of each program command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying record for effecting the writing of a said accompanying record by a disk drive of the group connected to said each data storage control,

means in said each data storage control for receiving a command sequence over an interface path from said host computer requesting multiple copy service for a subsequently received write request and accompanying record directed to a specified one of said disk drives of said group connected to said each data storage control, wherein said last named command sequence also specifies a disk drive in each of said n groups that is to be used to write multiple copies of a received record for a subsequently received write request directed to said specified one drive of said group connected to said each data storage control,

means in said each data storage control responsive to the subsequent receipt of a command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying record directed to said specified one drive of said group connected to said each data storage control for transmitting said accompanying record over a data link transmission path to a data storage control connected by said link to said each data storage control,

means in said each data storage control further responsive to the receipt of said subsequently received record write request and said accompanying record directed to said specified one disk drive of said group connected to said each data storage control for effecting the writing of said received record by said specified one disk drive of said group connected to said each data storage control,

means in said data storage control connected by said link to said each data storage control responsive to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by said specified disk drive to which said last named data storage control is connected, and

means in said data storage control connected by said link to said each data storage control responsive to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for extending said received record over another one of said data link transmission paths to another one of said data storage controls for both controlling the writing of said record on a specified disk drive connected to said other data storage control and for further extending said record over a data link transmission path to another data storage control so that each other of said data storage controls receives said record over a data link transmission path and controls the writing of said record on a disk drive connected to said each other data storage control.

24. In a data storage system adapted to be connected to a host computer, said system comprising:

m data storage controls,

m disk drives each of which is connected to a different one of said data storage controls,

a plurality of data link transmission paths each of which interconnects a different pair of said data storage controls,

means in a first one of said data storage controls for receiving a data record from said host computer,

means unique to said first data storage control and operable independently of each other data storage control and responsive to the reception of said record for effecting the writing of said record by a first disk drive connected to said first data storage control,

means in said first data storage control further responsive to the receipt of said record for transmitting said record over a data link transmission path interconnecting said first data storage control and a second data storage control,

means unique to said second data storage control and operable independently of each other data storage control and responsive to the reception of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by a second disk drive connected to said second data storage control, and

means in said second data storage control further responsive to said receipt of said record for extending said record over a data link transmission path to another one of said data storage controls so that each other one of said data storage controls receives said record and controls the writing of said record by a disk drive connected to each other one of said data storage controls.

25. In a data storage system adapted to be connected to a host computer, said system comprising:

a first and a second data storage control,

a first group of disk drives connected to said first data storage control and a second group of disk drives connected to said second data storage control,

a data link transmission path interconnecting said first data storage control and said second data storage control, said data link transmission path comprising a direct path devoid of a switching node,

a channel interface path interconnecting said host computer and said first data storage control,

means in said first data storage control for receiving channel program command sequences over said interface path requesting the control of functions by said first data storage control including the writing of data records by said first group of disk drives,

means unique to said first data storage control and operable independently of said second data storage control and responsive to the receipt of each program command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying record for effecting the writing of a said accompanying record by a disk drive of said first group as specified by said received write request,

means in said first data storage control for receiving a command sequence from said host computer requesting multiple copy service for a subsequently received write request directed to a specified one of said disk drives of said first group, wherein said last named command sequence specifies a disk drive of each of said first and second groups that is to be used to write said multiple copies of an accompanying record for each subsequently received write request directed to said specified one drive of said first group,

means in said first data storage control responsive to the subsequent receipt of a command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying record directed to said specified one drive of said first group for transmitting said accompanying record over said data link transmission path to said second data storage control,

means unique to said first data storage control operable independently of said second data storage control and further responsive to the receipt of said subsequently received record write request and an accompanying record directed to said specified one disk drive of said first group for effecting the writing of said received record by said specified one disk drive of said first group, and

means unique to said second data storage control and operable independently of said first data storage control and responsive to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by said specified disk drive of said second group.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein said channel program command sequence comprises:

commands arranged according to a predetermined channel program command format with at least some of said commands having a parameter list associated therewith and at least one of said commands having an information block associated therewith,

said parameter lists and said information block being adapted to contain data arranged into either a first or a second data format,

said parameter list and said information block being in a first format when a received channel program command sequence comprises a request for the subsequent provision of multiple copy service for records subsequently written to said specified one disk drive of said first group of disk drives,

said parameter list being in a second format when a received command sequence comprises a record write request.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein said system further comprises;

a third data storage control connected to a third group of disk drives and wherein said command sequence requesting multiple copy service further specifies a drive of said third group of disk drives, said system further comprising;

a second data link transmission path connecting said second data storage control with said third data storage control,

means in said second data storage control responsive to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path from said first data storage control for transmitting said record over said second data link transmission path to said third data storage control, and

means in said third data storage control and operable independently of said first and second data storage control and responsive to the receipt of said record for effecting the writing of said record by said specified disk drive of said third group.

28. The system of claim 26 wherein said system further comprises:

a cache memory in each of said data storage controls,

means in each data storage control responsive to the receipt of a record by said each data storage control for entering said received record into the cache memory of said each data storage control,

means for returning a command complete signal said to said host computer from said first data storage control when each record received by each data storage control is entered into said cache memory of said each data storage control, and

wherein said means for effecting the writing of each of said records comprises means for applying each record in a cache memory to a disk drive connected to the data storage control containing said cache memory.

29. The system of claim 26 wherein a command complete signal is returned by said first data storage control to said host computer after said record is written by each of said disk drives.

30. The system of claim 26 wherein said system further comprises:

a second channel interface path extending from said host computer to said second data storage control for the transmission of channel program command sequences to said second data storage control,

means in said second data storage control for receiving channel program command sequences over said interface path requesting the control of functions by said second data storage control including the writing of data records by said second group of disk drives,

means in said second data storage control responsive to the receipt of each program command sequence comprising a record write request for effecting the writing of a record accompanying said request by a disk drive of said second group as specified by said received write request,

means in said second data storage control for receiving a command sequence from said host computer requesting multiple copy service for subsequently received record write requests directed to a specified one of said disk drives of said second group, wherein said last named command sequence specifies a disk drive of each of said first and second groups that is to be used to write said multiple copies of records for subsequently received write requests to said specified one disk drive of said second group,

means in said second data storage control responsive to the subsequent receipt of a command sequence comprising a record write request directed to said specified one disk drive of aid second group for transmitting said record over said data link transmission path to said first data storage control,

means in said second data storage control further responsive to the receipt of said subsequently received record write request to said specified one disk drive of said second group for effecting the writing of said record by said specified one disk drive of said second group, and

means in said first data storage control responsive to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path from said second data storage control for effecting the writing of said record by said specified disk drive of said first group.

31. In a data storage system adapted to be connected over channel interface paths to a first and a second host computer for the writing of duplicate copies of record received by said system over any of said paths from either of said host computers, said system comprising:

a first and a second data storage control connected via separate ones of said channel interface paths to each of said host computers,

a first group of disk drives connected to said first data storage control and a second group of disk drives connected to said second data storage control,

a direct data link transmission path interconnecting said data storage controls,

means in each of said data storage controls for receiving data record write requests from either of said host computers over said paths,

means in each data storage control and operable independently of the other storage control and responsive to the receipt of each data record write request over one of said paths for effecting the writing of a data record accompanying said request by a disk drive to which said each data storage control is connected,

means in each of said data storage controls for receiving a request from said host computer for the provision of multiple copy service upon the subsequent receipt of a record write request directed to a specified one disk drive of said group connected to said each data storage control,

means in each of said data storage controls operable independently of the other data storage control and responsive to the subsequent receipt of a write request directed to said specified one disk drive for controlling the writing of a data record accompanying said request by the specified one disk drive connected to said each data storage control and for transmitting said record over said data link transmission path to the other one of said data storage controls, and

means in said other data storage control responsive to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by a specified one of said disk drive to which said other one data storage control is connected.

32. A method of operating a data storage system adapted to be connected to a host computer, said system comprising:

a first independently operable data storage control,

a second independently operable data storage control,

a first recording means comprising a plurality of different recording elements connected to said first data storage control and a second recording means comprising a plurality of different recording elements connected to said second data storage control, and

each of said data storage controls being operable independently of each other to effect the writing of a data record by a specified one of the plurality of recording elements to which each said data storage control is connected,

a data link transmission path interconnecting said first and second data storage controls,

said method comprising the steps of;

operating said first data storage control for receiving a command from said host computer requesting that an accompanying data record for each subsequent data record write request directed to a first recording element of said first recording means be written by said first recording element of said first recording means and by a first recording element of said second recording means,

operating said first data storage control for receiving from said host computer a write request and an accompanying data record requesting that said accompanying data record be written by a specified recording element of said first recording means,

operating said first data storage control independently of said second data storage control and in response to the receipt of said write request and accompanying data record for effecting the writing of said data record by said specified recording element of said first recording means,

operating said first data storage control in further response to the receipt of said write request and said accompanying data record when said specified recording element of said first recording means comprises said first recording element of said first recording means for transmitting said write request and said accompanying data record over said data link transmission path to said second data storage control, and

operating said second data storage control independently of said first data storage control and in response to the receipt of said write request and accompanying data record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said data record by said first recording element of said second recording means.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein said data link transmission path comprises a direct connection between said first and second data storage controls that is devoid of switching means.

34. The method of claim 32 in combination with the additional steps of:

operating said second data storage control in response to the receipt of said write request and accompanying data record over said data link transmission path for transmitting said write request and accompanying data record over a second data link transmission path to a third data storage control, and

operating said third data storage control independently of said first and second data storage control and in response to the receipt of said write request and accompanying data record over said second data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said data record by a first recording element of a third recording means connected to said third data storage control.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein said method further includes the steps of:

operating each data storage control in response to the receipt of said write request and accompanying data record by said each data storage control for entering said received data record into a cache memory of said each data storage control,

returning a command complete signal to said host computer from said first data storage control when said data record is entered into said cache memory of said each data storage control, and

wherein said step of effecting the writing of said data record comprises the step of applying said data record in each cache memory to the recording means connected to the data storage control containing said each cache memory to control the writing of said record by said first recording element of said recording means of said each data storage control.

36. The method of claim 32 wherein a command complete signal is returned by said first data storage control to said host computer after said record is written by said first recording element of each of said recording means.

37. The method of claim 32 wherein said first data storage control receives said write request and accompanying data record over a first path extending from said host computer to said first data storage control;

said method further comprises the steps of;

transmitting information including write requests and accompanying data records from said host computer to said second data storage control over a second path extending from said host computer to said second data storage control, and

operating said second data storage control independently of said first data storage control in response to the receipt of write requests and accompanying data records over said second path to effect the writing by said first recording element of said second recording means of said data records received over said second path.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein said data link transmission path comprises a direct connection between said first and second data storage controls that is devoid of switching means.

39. The method of claim 37 in combination with the steps of:

further operating second data storage control in response to said receipt of said write requests and accompanying data records received over said second path for transmitting said write requests and accompanying data records over said data link transmission path to said first data storage control, and

operating said first data storage control independently of said second data storage control and in response to said receipt of said data records over said data link transmission path to effect the writing by said first recording element of said first recording means of said records received by said first data storage control over said data link transmission path.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein said data link transmission path comprises a direct connection between said first and second data storage controls that is devoid of switching means.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

operating each data storage control in response to the receipt over said path connected to said data storage control of a write request and accompanying data record for entering said data record into a cache memory of said data storage control that received said data record over said path,

returning a command complete to said host computer from the data storage control that received said data record from said host computer when said record is entered into said cache memory of each data storage control, and

wherein said step of effecting the writing of said data record comprises the step of applying said data record in each cache memory to the recording means connected to the data storage control containing said each cache memory to control the writing of said record by said recording means.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein said method further includes the step of:

returning a command complete signal to said host computer from a data storage control that receives a data record from said host computer after said record is written by each of said recording elements of each of said recording means.

43. A method of operating a data storage system adapted to be connected to a host computer, said system including a first independently operable data storage control and a second independently operable data storage control, said method comprising the steps of:

operating said first data storage control independently of said second data storage control and in response to the receipt from said host computer of a received data record write request and an accompanying data record for effecting the writing of said accompanying data record by a first group of disk drives connected to said first data storage control,

operating said first data storage control for receiving a command sequence from said host computer requesting that multiple record copies be written for subsequently received record write request directed to a specified one of said disk drives of said first group,

operating said first data storage control in response to the subsequent receipt of a record write request and an accompanying data record directed to said specified one disk drive for transmitting said received record associated with said request over a data link transmission path to said second data storage control,

further operating said first data storage control independently of said second data storage control and in response to said subsequent receipt of a record write request directed to said specified one disk drive of said first group for effecting the writing of said received record by said specified one disk drive of said first group of disk drives, and

operating said second data storage control independently of said first data storage control and in response to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive of a second group of disk drives connected to said second data storage control.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein said data link transmission path comprises a direct connection between said data storage controls that is devoid of switching means.

45. The method of claim 43 in combination with the steps of:

operating said second data storage control in response to the receipt of said record for transmitting said record over a second data link transmission path to a third data storage control, and

operating said third data storage control independently of said first data storage control and said second data storage control and in response to the receipt of said record for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive of a third group of drives connected to said third data storage control.

46. The method of claim 43 wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

operating each data storage control in response to the receipt of a record by said each data storage control for entering said each received record into a cache memory of said each data storage control,

returning a command complete signal to said host computer from aid first data storage control when a record received by each data storage control is entered into said cache memory of said each data storage control, and

wherein said step of effecting the writing of each of said records comprises the step of applying a record in each cache memory to the disk drive connected to the data storage control containing said each cache memory to control the writing of said record by said disk drive.

47. The method of claim 43 in combination with the step of:

returning a command complete signal to said host computer from a data storage control that receives a record from said host computer after said record is written by each of said disk drives.

48. The method of claim 43 wherein said first data storage control receives said record over a first path extending from said host computer to said first data storage control for the reception of information including a data record from said host computer;

said method further comprising the steps of;

transmitting information including a data record to said second data storage control over a second path extending from said host computer to said second data storage control,

operating said second data storage control for receiving a data record write request from said host computer over said second path,

operating said second data storage control independently of said first data storage control and in response to the receipt of each received data record write request and an accompanying data record for effecting the writing of said data record by said second group of disk drives,

operating said second data storage control for receiving a command sequence from said host computer requesting that multiple record copies be written for subsequently received data record write requests directed to a specified one of said disk drives of said second group of disk drives,

operating said second data storage control in response to the subsequent receipt of a data record write request and accompanying data record directed to said specified one disk drive of said second group for transmitting said received record over said data link transmission path to said first data storage control,

further operating said second data storage control independently of said first data storage control and in response to said subsequent receipt of said record write request and accompanying data record for effecting the writing of said received record by said specified one disk drive of said second group of disk drives, and

operating said first data storage control independently of said second data storage control and in response to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive of said first group of disk drives.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

operating each data storage control in response to the receipt of a record by said each data storage control for entering said received record into a cache memory of said each data storage control,

returning a command complete signal to said host computer from said data storage control that receives a record from said host computer when said record is entered into said cache memory of said each data storage control, and

wherein said step of effecting a writing of each record comprises the step of applying a record in each cache memory to the disk drive connected to the data storage control containing said each cache memory to control the writing of said record by said disk drive.

50. A method of operating a data storage system adapted to be connected over channel interface paths to a first and a second host computer for the writing of multiple copies of records received by said system over any of said paths from either of said host computers, said method comprising the steps of:

operating a first and a second data storage control for receiving a data record from either of said host computers over one of said interface paths,

operating each data storage control independently of the other data storage control in response to the receipt of a data record over one of said paths for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive of a group of drives to which only said each data storage control receiving said record is connected,

operating said each data storage control in response to the receipt of said record over one of said paths for transmitting said record over a data link transmission path to the other one of said data storage controls, and

operating said other data storage control independently of the other data storage control and in response to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive of a group to which only said other one data storage control is connected.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

operating each data storage control in response to the receipt of said record over an interface path for entering said received record into a cache memory of each of said each data storage control,

returning a command complete signal to said host computer from the data storage control that receives a record over a path when said received record is entered into said cache memory of each of said data storage controls, and

wherein said step of effecting the writing of said received record comprises the step of applying said record in each cache memory to a disk drive of a group connected to the data storage control containing said each cache memory to control the writing of said record by said disk drive of a group connected to said each data storage control.

52. The method of claim 50 wherein said method further comprises the step of:

returning a command complete signal to said host computer from said first data storage control after said record is written by a drive in each of said groups of disk drives.

53. A method of operating a data storage system containing a plurality of data storage controls and adapted to be connected over channel interface paths to a first and a second host computer for the writing of multiple copies of records received by said system over any of said paths from either of said host computers, said method comprising the steps of:

operating each data storage control independently of each other data storage control in response to the receipt of a data record over one of said paths from either of said host computers for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive of a group of drives to which only said each data storage control receiving said record is connected,

operating said each data storage control in response to the receipt of said record over one of said paths for transmitting said record over a data link transmission path to another one of said data storage controls,

operating said other data storage control independently of each other data storage control in response to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive of a group of drives to which only said other one data storage control is connected, and

operating said other data storage control for extending said received record over another data link transmission path to a third one of said data storage controls for the writing of said record by a disk drive of a group of drives to which only said third data storage control is connected.

54. A method of operating a data storage system adapted to be connected over channel interface paths to a first and a second host computer for the writing of multiple copies of records received by said system over any of said paths from either of said host computers, said method comprising the steps of:

operating each of m data storage controls for receiving from one of said host computers channel program command sequences over one of said interface paths requesting the control of functions by said each data storage control including the writing of data records by a group of disk drives individual to and connected to said each data storage control,

operating said each data storage control independently of each other data storage control and in response to the receipt of each program command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying record for effecting the writing of said accompanying record by a specified disk drive of the group of disk drives connected to said each data storage control with said disk drive being specified by said received write request,

operating said each data storage control for receiving over an interface path a command sequence from said host computer requesting multiple copy service for a subsequently received write request and accompanying record directed to a specified one of said disk drives of said group of disk drives connected to said each data storage control, wherein said last named command sequence also specifies a disk drive in each of a group of n drives that is to be used to write multiple copies of a received record for a subsequently received write request directed to said specified one drive of said group connected to said each data storage control,

operating said each data storage control in response to the subsequent receipt of a command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying record directed to said specified one drive of said group connected to said each data storage control for transmitting said accompanying record over a data link transmission path to another data storage control connected by said data link to said each data storage control,

further operating said each data storage control independently of each other data storage control and in response to the receipt of said subsequently received record write request and said accompanying record directed to said specified one disk drive of said group connected to said each data storage control for effecting the writing of said received record on said specified one disk drive of said group connected to said each data storage control,

operating the one of said data storage controls connected by said data link to said each data storage control independently of each other data storage control and in response to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by a specified disk drive of said group connected to said one data storage control, and

operating said one data storage control connected by said link to said each data storage control independently of each other data storage control and in response to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for extending said received record over another data link transmission path to a third one of said data storage controls for both controlling the writing of said record on a specified disk drive connected to said third data storage control and for further extending said record over a data link transmission path to another data storage control so that each remaining one of said data storage controls receiving said record over a data link transmission path controls the writing of said record by a disk drive connected to said each remaining data storage control.

55. A method of operating a data storage system adapted to be connected to a host computer, said method comprising the steps of:

operating a first one of m data storage controls independently of each other data storage control and in response to the receipt of a record from said host computer for effecting the writing of said record by a first disk drive connected to said first data storage control,

operating said first data storage control in response to the receipt of said record for transmitting said record over a data link transmission path to a second data storage control,

operating said second data storage control independently of each other data storage control and in response to the receipt of said record for effecting the writing of said record by a second disk drive connected to said second data storage control, and

further operating said second data storage control in response to said receipt of said record for extending said record over a data link transmission path to other data storage controls so that said other data storage controls each receive said record and control the writing of said record by a disk drive connected to said other data storage controls.

56. A method of operating a data storage system having a first and a second data storage control and adapted to be connected to a host computer, said method comprising the steps of:

operating said first data storage control independently of said second data storage control for receiving channel program command sequences over an interface path from said host computer requesting the control of functions by said first data storage control including the writing of data records by a first group of disk drives connected to said first data storage control,

operating said first data storage control independently of said second data storage control and in response to the receipt of each program command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying record for effecting the writing of said accompanying record by a disk drive of said first group,

operating said first data storage control for receiving a command sequence from said host computer requesting multiple copy service for a subsequently received write request directed to a specified one of said disk drives of said first group, wherein said last names command sequence specifies a disk drive of each of said first and a second group of drives connected to said second data storage control that is to be used to write said multiple copies of a record accompanying a subsequently received write request and directed to said specified one drive of said first group,

operating said first data storage control in response to the subsequent receipt of a command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying record directed to said specified one drive of said first group for transmitting said accompanying record over a data link transmission path to said second data storage control,

further operating said first data storage control independently of said second data storage control and in response to the receipt of said subsequently received record write request and an accompanying record directed to said specified one disk drive of said first group for effecting the writing of said received record by said specified one disk drive of said first group, and

operating said second data storage control independently of said first data storage control and in response to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by said specified disk drive of said second group.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein said channel program command sequence comprises:

commands arranged according to a predetermined channel program command format with at least some of said commands having a parameter list associated therewith and at least one of said commands having an information block associated therewith,

said parameter lists and said information block being adapted to contain data arranged into either a first or a second data format,

said parameter list and said information block data being in a first format when a received channel program command sequence comprises a request for the subsequent provision of multiple copy service for records subsequently written to said specified one disk drive of said first group of disk drives,

said parameter list being in a second format when a received command sequence comprises a record write request.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

operating said second data storage control in response to the receipt of said record for transmitting said record over a second data link transmission path to a third data storage control, and

operating said third data storage control independently of said first data storage control and said second data storage control and in response to the receipt of said record for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive of a third group of disk drives connected to said third data storage control.

59. The method of claim 57 wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

operating each data storage control in response to the receipt of a record by said each data storage control for entering said received record into a cache memory of said each data storage control,

returning a command complete signal said to said host computer from said first data storage control when each record received by a data storage control is entered into said cache memory of each data storage control, and

wherein said step of effecting the writing of each of said records comprises the step of applying each record in a cache memory to the disk drive connected to the data storage control containing each cache memory.

60. The method of claim 57 wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

returning a command complete signal from said first data storage control to said host computer after said record is written by each of said disk drives.

61. The method of claim 57 wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

transmitting channel program command sequences to said second data storage control over a second channel interface path extending from said host computer to said second data storage control,

operating said second data storage control for receiving channel program command sequences over said interface path from said host computer requesting the control of functions by said second data storage control including the writing of data records by said second group of disk drives,

operating said second data storage control independently of said first data storage control and in response to the receipt of each program command sequence comprising a record write request for effecting the writing of a record accompanying said request by a disk drive of said second group as specified by said received write request,

operating said second data storage control for receiving a command sequence from said host computer requesting multiple copy service for subsequently received record write requests directed to a specified one of said disk drives of said second group, wherein said last named command sequence specifies a disk drive of each of said first and second groups that is to be used to write said multiple copies of records for subsequently received write requests to said specified one drive of said second group,

operating said second data storage control in response to the subsequent receipt of a command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying data record directed to said specified one disk drive of said second group of disk drives for transmitting said accompanying record over said data link transmission path to said first data storage control,

further operating said second data storage control independently of said first data storage control and in response to the receipt of said subsequently received record write request and an accompanying data record directed to said specified one disk drive of said second group of disk drives for effecting the writing of said accompanying record by said specified one disk drive of said second group of disk drives, and

operating said first data storage control independently of said second data storage control and in response to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by said specified disk drive of said first group of disk drives.

62. A method of operating a data storage system adapted to be connected over channel interface paths to a first and a second host computer for the writing of duplicate copies of record received by said system over any of said paths from either of said host computers, said system comprising:

operating each of a first and a second data storage control for receiving a data record from either of said host computers over said paths,

operating said each data storage control independently of the other data storage control and in response to the receipt of each write request and an accompanying data record over a path from said host computer for effecting the writing of said accompanying record by a disk drive of a group to which said each data storage control is connected,

operating each of said data storage controls for receiving a request from said host computer for the provision of multiple copy service upon the subsequent receipt of a record write request directed to a specified one disk drive of a group connected to said each data storage control,

operating each of said data storage controls independently of the other data storage control and in response to the subsequent receipt of a write request and an accompanying data record directed to said specified one disk drive for controlling the writing of said accompanying record by the specified drive connected to said each data storage control and for transmitting said record over said data link transmission path to the other one of said data storage controls, and

operating said other data storage control independently of the other data storage control and in response to the receipt of said record for effecting the writing of said record by the one of said disk drives to which said other one data storage control is connected.

63. A method of operating a data storage system adapted to be connected over first and second channel interface paths, respectively, to a first and a second host computer, respectively, for the writing of a single copy of records received by said system over any of said paths from either of said host computers, said method comprising the steps of:

operating a first data storage control for receiving a data record write request and an accompanying data record over said first path from said first host computer,

operating a second data storage control for receiving a data record write request and an accompanying data record over said second path from said second host computer, and

operating each data storage control in response to the receipt of each write request by said each data storage control for effecting the writing of the data record accompanying each request by only a disk drive to which said second data storage control is connected.

64. The method of claim 63 wherein said data storage controls are interconnected by a direct data link transmission path and wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

operating said first data storage control in response to said write request from said host computer for transmitting said record accompanying said request over said data link transmission path to said second data storage control, and

operating said second data storage control in response to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for writing said record on said disk drive to which said second data storage control is connected.

65. The method of claim 64 in combination with the additional steps of:

operating said second data storage control in response to a receipt of a record read request from said second host computer for reading said record by said disk drive to which said second data storage control is connected,

transmitting said read record over said second channel interface path to said second host computer,

operating said first data storage control in response to a receipt of a record read request from said first host computer for receiving said record from said second data storage control over said data link transmission path, and

transmitting said record received over said data link transmission path to said first host computer from said first data storage control over said first channel interface path.

66. A method of operating a data storage system adapted to be connected over first and second channel interface paths, respectively, to a first and a second host computer, respectively, for the writing of a single copy of records received by said system over any of said paths from either of said host computers, said method comprising the steps of:

operating a first data storage control for receiving a data record write request and an accompanying data record over said first path from said first host computer,

operating a second data storage control for receiving a data record write request and an accompanying data record over said second path from said second host computer,

operating said second data storage control in response to the receipt of each write request from said second host computer and directed to a specified disk drive connected to said second data storage control for effecting the writing of said record accompanying each request by said specified disk drive to which said second data storage control is connected,

operating said first data storage control for receiving a request from said first host computer for the provision of shared service upon the subsequent receipt of a record write request and an accompanying data record directed to a specified phantom drive of a group of disk drives connected to said first data storage control,

operating said first data storage control in response to the subsequent receipt of each write request and an accompanying data record not directed to said phantom drive of said first data storage control for effecting the writing of the record accompanying each request by a disk drive of a group to which said first data storage control is connected,

operating said first data storage control in response to the subsequent receipt of a write request and an accompanying data record directed to said specified phantom disk drive for transmitting said record over a data link transmission path to said second data storage control, and

operating said second data storage control in response to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by a disk drive to which said second data storage control is connected.

67. A method of operating a data storage system adapted to be connected to a first and a second host computer for the sharing of records by users of both of said computers, said method comprising the steps of:

operating a first data storage control for receiving channel program command sequences over a first interface path from said first host computer requesting the control of system functions by said first data storage control including the writing and reading of data records by a first group of disk drives connected to said first data storage control,

operating said first data storage control in response to the receipt from said first host computer of each program command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying data record for effecting the writing of a said accompanying data record by a disk drive of said first group as specified by said received write request,

operating a second data storage control for receiving channel program command sequences over a second interface path from said second host computer requesting the control of functions by said second data storage control including the writing and reading of data records by a second group of disk drives connected to said second data storage control,

operating said second data storage control in response to the receipt from said second host computer of each program command sequence comprising a data record write request and an accompanying data record for effecting the writing of said accompanying data record by a disk drive of said second group as specified by said write request received by said second data storage control,

operating said first data storage control for receiving a command sequence from said first host computer requesting the establishment of extended connectivity service for subsequently received write requests directed to a specified phantom disk drive of said first group, wherein said last named command sequence also specifies a disk drive of said second group of drives that is to be used to write a copy of a received record accompanying each subsequently received write request directed to said specified phantom drive of said first group,

operating said first data storage control in response to a subsequent receipt of a command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying data record directed to said specified phantom drive of said first group of drives for transmitting said accompanying data record over a direct data link transmission path to said second data storage control, and

operating said second data storage control in response to the receipt of said record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said data record by said specified disk drive of said second group.

68. The method of claim 67 in combination with the additional steps of:

operating said first data storage control in response to a subsequent receipt of a command sequence comprising a record read request directed to said specified phantom drive of said first group for transmitting a message containing said read request over said direct data link transmission path to said second data storage control,

operating said second data storage control in response to the receipt of said record read request over said data link transmission path for effecting the reading of said requested data record by said specified disk drive of said second group containing said requested record,

transmitting said read data record over said data link transmission path from said second data storage control to said first data storage control,

operating said first data storage control in response to the receipt of said data record over said data link transmission path from

said second data storage control for transmitting said data record over said first interface path to said first host computer,

operating said second data storage control in response to a subsequent receipt from said second host computer of a command sequence comprising a data record read request directed to a specified drive of said second group for reading said data record from said specified drive of said second group, and

transmitting said read data record over said second interface path to said second host computer.

69. The method of claim 67 wherein said channel program command sequence requesting the establishment of extended connectivity service comprises:

commands arranged according to a predetermined channel program command format with at least some of said commands having a parameter list associated therewith and at least one of said commands having an information block associated therewith,

said parameter lists and said information block data being in a first format when a received channel program command sequence comprises a request for the subsequent provision of said extended connectivity service for subsequently received write requests directed to said specified phantom drive of said first group of disk drives,

said parameter list being in a second format when a received command sequence comprises a data record write request.

70. A method of operating a data storage system adapted to be connected to a first and a second host computer, said method comprising the steps of:

operating a first data storage control for receiving channel program command sequences over a first interface path from said first host computer requesting the control of system functions by said first data storage control including the writing and reading of data records by a first group of disk drives connected to said first data storage control,

operating said first data storage control in response to the receipt from said first host computer of each program command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying data record for effecting the writing of a said accompanying data record by a disk drive of said first group as identified by said received write request,

operating a second data storage control for receiving channel program command sequences over a second interface path from said second host computer requesting the control of functions by said second data storage control including the writing and reading of data records by a second group of disk drives connected to said second data storage control,

operating said second data storage control in response to the receipt from said second host computer of each program command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying data record for effecting the writing of said accompanying data record by a disk drive of said second group as identified by said write request received by said second data storage control,

operating said first data storage control for receiving a command sequence from said first host computer requesting the establishment of extended service for subsequently received write requests directed to a specified disk drive of said first group, wherein said last named command sequence also specifies a disk drive of said second group of drives that is to be used to write a copy of a received record accompanying each subsequently received write request directed to said specified disk drive of said first group,

operating said first data storage control in response to a subsequent receipt of a command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying data record directed to said specified drive of said first group of drives for transmitting said accompanying record over a direct data link transmission path to said second data storage control,

operating said second data storage control in response to the receipt of said data record over said data link transmission path for effecting the writing of said record by said specified disk drive of said second group,

operating said first data storage control in response to a subsequent receipt of a command sequence comprising a record write request and an accompanying data record directed to said specified drive of said first group of drives for effecting the writing of said record by said specified disk drive of said first group if said specified disk drive of said first group is not a phantom disk drive, and

inhibiting the writing of said accompanying record by a disk drive of said first group if said specified disk drive of said first group is a phantom disk drive.

71. A method of operating a data storage system adapted to be connected to a host computer, said method comprising the steps of:

operating a first one of m independently operable data storage controls in response to the receipt of a record from said host computer for effecting the writing of said record by a first disk drive connected to said first data storage control,

operating said first data storage control in response to the receipt of said record for transmitting said record over a data link transmission path to a second data storage control,

operating said second data storage control independently of said first data storage control in response to the receipt of said record for effecting the writing of said record by a second disk drive connected to said second data storage control,

further operating said second data storage control in response to said receipt of said record for extending said record over a data link transmission path to other data storage controls,

operating said other data storage controls to receive said record over said data link transmission path, and

further operating said other data storage controls independently of each other data storage control so that said record is written by disk drives of less than all of said other data storage controls whereby said system writes less than m copies of said record received from said host computer by said first data storage control.