Methods and structure for SCSI/IDE translation for non-SCSI enclosures in a storage subsystem
First Claim
1. A storage subsystem comprising:
- a storage controller adapted for exchanging information with SCSI storage enclosures using SAF-TE and/or SES standards for information exchanges with SCSI storage enclosures;
a non-SCSI storage enclosure wherein the non-SCSI storage enclosure is adapted to exchange information with a non-SCSI storage controller and wherein the non-SCSI storage enclosure does not operate in compliance with SAF-TE or SES standards; and
a conversion element coupling said storage controller to said non-SCSI storage enclosure for converting information exchanged between said storage controller and said non-SCSI storage enclosure wherein the converted information exchanges include exchanges in accordance with SAF-TE and/or SES standards and wherein the conversion element further comprises suitably programmed instructions and associated data executed by a processor within the storage controller.
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Abstract
Methods and associated structure operable within a SCSI-based storage subsystem are provided to adapt the storage controller for use with non-SCSI storage enclosures. A firmware layer of the present invention intercepts SCSI read/write requests and pass-through command blocks (CDBs) generated by the storage management core of the controller and translates the requests and command structures into corresponding command structures for transmission to a non-SCSI storage enclosure. In like manner, the firmware layer of the present invention receives status information from non-SCSI storage enclosures and translates the status information into corresponding SCSI compatible status information. In one exemplary preferred embodiment, a storage subsystem designed for interaction with SCSI storage enclosures may be adapted in accordance with the present invention to utilize lower-cost, IDE compatible storage enclosures.
29 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A storage subsystem comprising:
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a storage controller adapted for exchanging information with SCSI storage enclosures using SAF-TE and/or SES standards for information exchanges with SCSI storage enclosures;
a non-SCSI storage enclosure wherein the non-SCSI storage enclosure is adapted to exchange information with a non-SCSI storage controller and wherein the non-SCSI storage enclosure does not operate in compliance with SAF-TE or SES standards; and
a conversion element coupling said storage controller to said non-SCSI storage enclosure for converting information exchanged between said storage controller and said non-SCSI storage enclosure wherein the converted information exchanges include exchanges in accordance with SAF-TE and/or SES standards and wherein the conversion element further comprises suitably programmed instructions and associated data executed by a processor within the storage controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system comprising:
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a non-SCSI storage enclosure wherein the non-SCSI storage enclosure is adapted to exchange information with a non-SCSI storage controller and wherein the non-SCSI storage enclosure does not operate in compliance with SAF-TE or SES standards; and
a SCSI-based storage controller communicatively coupled to said non-SCSI storage enclosure wherein said SCSI-based controller includes;
storage management core means for exchanging information with a SCSI storage enclosure in compliance with SAF-TE and/or SES standards; and
SCSI command conversion means for converting SCSI commands generated by said storage management core means for application to said non-SCSI storage enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method operable within a SCSI storage controller comprising the steps of:
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generating SCSI commands in compliance with SAF-TE and/or SES standards to manipulate a non-SCSI storage enclosure associated with said storage controller wherein the non-SCSI storage enclosure is adapted to exchange information with a non-SCSI storage controller and wherein the non-SCSI storage enclosure does not operate in compliance with SAF-TE or SES standards;
converting said SCSI commands to non-SCSI commands; and
applying said non-SCSI commands to said non-SCSI storage enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification