Identifying controller pairs in a dual controller disk array
First Claim
1. A controller identification system for a computer disk storage control system having a plurality of controllers, comprising:
- (a) means for reading a system identifier data;
(b) means for comparing the system identifier data with a controller identifier data associated with each of the controllers and to produce a compare result for each controller, the compare result indicative of whether the respective controller was previously used in the disk storage control system; and
,(c) means for selection of a master controller based on the compare result of each controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a disk storage system having dual controllers and mirrored memory therebetween, a controller identification system provides a unique system identifier (ID) data (number, password, etc.) accessible by both controllers for determination of which controller is MASTER. This identifier is physically mounted in a location that will always remain with the disk array and will always remain accessible by the controllers. Typically, a read-only memory (ROM) stores the identifier. During initialization, each controller reads this system identifier and compares it to a respective controller identifier previously stored in a non-volatile memory area of each controller. If the system identifier matches the controller identifier, the controller has not been moved and, therefore, has a valid memory image and may have previously been a MASTER controller. A MASTER bit signal is then checked; and, if it is set, the controller was previously the MASTER controller and will continue as MASTER controller. If the identifiers do not match, the controller is a new arrival and the system identifier is stored in the controller non-volatile memory for reference upon the next initialization.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A controller identification system for a computer disk storage control system having a plurality of controllers, comprising:
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(a) means for reading a system identifier data; (b) means for comparing the system identifier data with a controller identifier data associated with each of the controllers and to produce a compare result for each controller, the compare result indicative of whether the respective controller was previously used in the disk storage control system; and
,(c) means for selection of a master controller based on the compare result of each controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer disk controller system comprising:
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(a) a first and second disk controller, each controller having mirrored memory with respect to each other; (b) means for communicating between controllers; (c) means for each controller to communicate to a disk drive array within the disk controller system; (d) each controller having a means for reading a system identifier number; (e) each controller having means for reading and storing a controller identifier data within the controller; (f) each controller having means for comparing the system identifier data with the stored controller identifier data in each of the mirrored memories; (g) each controller having means for selection of a master controller, selection means further comprising; (i) arbitrary selection of a master controller as a new master controller in the case where both controller identifier data match the system identifier data; (ii) selection of the first controller as master wherein the first controller identifier data matches the system identifier number and the second controller identifier data does not match the system identifier data; (iii) selection of the second controller as master wherein the second controller identifier data matches the system identifier data and the first controller identifier data does not match the system identifier data; (iv) selection of the first controller as master wherein neither controller identifier matches the system identifier data; and (v) selection of a master controller is stored in the master controller memory as a TRUE data bit and a slave controller is stored as a FALSE data bit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. In a dual controller disk storage system, a method of selecting a master controller and a slave controller comprising:
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(a) reading a unique system identifier data within the disk storage system by a first and second disk controller; (b) comparing the system identifier data with stored controller data in non-volatile memory within the first and second disk controller, thereby determining whether a match exists, a match indicative that the respective controller was previously used in the disk storage control system; and
,(c) selecting a master controller based on compare results for each controller from the comparing step. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification