Storage virtualization subsystem and system with host-side redundancy via SAS connectivity
First Claim
1. A storage virtualization subsystem with host-side redundancy via serial-attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) connectivity connected to at least one initiator, the subsystem comprising:
- a storage virtualization controller (SVC) pair including a first SVC and a second SVC for executing an Input/Output (I/O) operation in response to an I/O request sent from the initiator, wherein each SVC of the SVC pair comprises at least one I/O device interconnect controller and the I/O device interconnect controller has at least one host-side port for coupling to the initiator;
at least one SAS expander disposed on the path of an I/O device interconnect between the SVC pair and the initiator for providing the device expansion function comprising addressing and routing; and
a physical storage device (PSD) array comprising at least one PSD for providing storing space to the subsystem;
wherein the signal interconnect interface among the SVC pair, the SAS expander, and the initiator is a SAS interface.
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Abstract
This invention discloses a storage visualization subsystem and system with host-side redundancy via SAS connectivity. The I/O interconnect interface between the storage visualization controller and the host is a serial-attached SCSI (SAS) interface. At least one SAS expander is inserted on the I/O interconnect path of the host side to provide the function of device expansion. Or, a built-in virtual SAS expander is disposed inside the storage virtualization controller to provide multiple virtual IDs for each SAS port. When one controller in the storage virtualization controller pair malfunctions or fails, the invention provides solutions in accord with different embodiments so that the surviving controller can inherit the ID of the failed one. Thus, the host can keep functioning normally as it is not aware of any change in the device status.
13 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A storage virtualization subsystem with host-side redundancy via serial-attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) connectivity connected to at least one initiator, the subsystem comprising:
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a storage virtualization controller (SVC) pair including a first SVC and a second SVC for executing an Input/Output (I/O) operation in response to an I/O request sent from the initiator, wherein each SVC of the SVC pair comprises at least one I/O device interconnect controller and the I/O device interconnect controller has at least one host-side port for coupling to the initiator; at least one SAS expander disposed on the path of an I/O device interconnect between the SVC pair and the initiator for providing the device expansion function comprising addressing and routing; and a physical storage device (PSD) array comprising at least one PSD for providing storing space to the subsystem; wherein the signal interconnect interface among the SVC pair, the SAS expander, and the initiator is a SAS interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A storage virtualization system with host-side redundancy via SAS connectivity, comprising:
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at least one initiator for sending at least one I/O request; and at least one redundant storage virtualization subsystem using an SAS signal interconnect interface to couple to the initiator, each of the at least one redundant storage virtualization subsystem further comprising; a storage virtualization controller (SVC) pair including a first SVC and a second SVC for executing an I/O operation in response to an I/O request sent from the at least one initiator, wherein each SVC of the SVC pair comprises at least one I/O device interconnect controller and the I/O device interconnect controller has at least one host-side port for coupling to the initiator; at least one SAS expander disposed on the path of an I/O device interconnect between the SVC pair and the initiator for providing the device expansion function comprising addressing and routing; and a physical storage device (PSD) array comprising at least one PSD for providing storing space to the subsystem. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification