Application server blade for embedded storage appliance

• US 7,464,205 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2006
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dot Hill Systems Corporation (Seagate Technology Holdings Plc)
• Original Assignee: Dot Hill Systems Corporation (Seagate Technology Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: Davies, Ian Robert, Pecone, Victor Key, Kalwitz, George Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Kindred; Alford W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Martinez; David E
• Application Number:
  US11/612,507
• Publication Number:
  US 20070100964A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 710/62, 710/74, 710/100, 710/302
• US Class Current: 710/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1456 Hardware arrangements for backup
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1464 for networked environments
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2005 using redundant communication controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2007 using redundant communication media
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/201 between storage system components
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2028 eliminating a faulty processor or activating a spare
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2035 without idle spare hardware
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2046 where the redundant components share persistent storage G06F11/2043 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2051 in regular structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2092 Techniques of failing over between control units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0601 Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0673 Single storage device

Abstract

A method for transferring data within a network storage appliance is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a packet on an I/O link from a server to a first portion of a storage controller. Transmitting the packet on the I/O link is performed within a single blade module in a chassis enclosing the storage appliance. The method also includes forwarding a data transfer command within the packet from the first portion of the storage controller to a second portion of the storage controller. Forwarding the data transfer command is performed via a local bus on a backplane of the chassis through a connector of the blade connecting the blade to the backplane.

Claims

1. A method for transferring data within a network storage appliance, comprising:

transmitting a packet on an I/O link from a server to a first portion of a storage controller, wherein said transmitting the packet is performed within a single blade module in a chassis enclosing the storage appliance; and

forwarding a data transfer command within the packet from the first portion of the storage controller to a second portion of the storage controller, wherein the forwarding is performed via a local bus on a backplane of the chassis through a connector of the blade connecting the blade to the backplane.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting the packet on the I/O link comprises transmitting a FibreChannel packet on a FibreChannel link.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting the packet on the I/O link comprises transmitting an IP packet on an Ethernet link.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting the packet on the I/O link comprises transmitting an Infiniband packet on an Infiniband link.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said forwarding the packet via the local bus comprises forwarding the packet on a PCIX local bus.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the first portion of the storage controller, the data requested by the data transfer command from the second portion of the storage controller via the local bus on the backplane; and

transmitting the data on the I/O link from the first portion of the storage controller to the server, wherein said transmitting the data is performed within the single blade module.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a second packet on a second I/O link from the server to a first portion of a second storage controller, wherein said transmitting the second packet is performed within the single blade module; and

forwarding a second data transfer command within the second packet from the first portion of the second storage controller to a second portion of the second storage controller, wherein said forwarding the second data transfer command is performed via a second local bus on the backplane of the chassis through the connector of the blade connecting the blade to the backplane.