Dual XPCS for disaster recovery

• US 5,949,970 A
• Filed: 01/07/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unisys Corporation
• Original Assignee: Unisys Corporation
• Inventors: Heideman, Michael J., Konrad, Dennis R., Sipple, Ralph E., Cooper, Thomas P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Palys, Joseph E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Elisca, Pierre E.
• Application Number:
  US08/779,681
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 395/182.13, 395/182.14, 711/3, 711/113, 711/162, 371/40.2, 371/40.13, 371/40.15, 371/51.1, 370/228, 370/220, 370/217, 370/218
• US Class Current: 714/15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2087 with a common controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0866 for peripheral storage systems, e.g. disk cache
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2212/312 In storage controller

Abstract

A data processing system including a first and second host, a first and second outboard file cache connected to the first host, and a first and second secondary storage device connected to the first host. The system operation includes the first host reading file data from the first or second secondary storage device after the data is cached on both the first and second outboard file caches. File data is updated by writing to both first and second outboard file caches. File data is destaged by writing data from the first outboard file cache only, to first and second secondary storage devices. Failure of a single outboard file cache is handled by the first host not reading and writing to the failed outboard file cache. Site-wide failure of first host, first outboard file cache, and first secondary storage device is handled by establishing communication from second host to both second outboard file cache and second secondary storage device and resuming processing.

Claims

1. A data processing system comprising having a first host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor;

a first outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the first outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files; and

a first and a second secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files, wherein the improvement comprises;

a. a second outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the second outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

b. means for initializing the first and second outboard file caches to contain the same cached data;

c. means for initializing the first and second secondary storage devices to contain the same file data;

d. means for reading the file data from at least one of the secondary storage devices, including staging the file data from the secondary storage devices to the first outboard file cache if the data is not present in the first outboard file cache;

e. means for updating the cached data in the first and second outboard file caches corresponding to the file data in the first and second secondary storage devices, including staging the file data from at least one of the first or second secondary storage devices to the first outboard file cache if the data is not present in the first outboard file cache, including staging the file data from at least of the first or second secondary storage devices to the second outboard file cache if the data is not present in the second outboard file cache;

f. means for destaging the cached data in the first and second outboard file caches, including writing the cached data from the first outboard file cache to the first and second secondary storage devices, including not writing the cached data from the second outboard file cache to either first or second secondary storage devices; and

g. means for recovering from a failure of one of the outboard file caches, including informing the operating system that the failed outboard file cache is not to have data read from or written to, and resuming data processing.

2. A data processing system comprising:

a. a first host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of said one file, said host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to said host processor and output of data from said host processor;

b. a first outboard file cache coupled to said input-output logic section of said host processor and responsive to said file access commands, wherein said first outboard file cache provides cache storage for said one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein said cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of said one or more files;

c. a second outboard file cache coupled to said input-output logic section of said host processor and responsive to said file access commands, wherein said second outboard file cache provides cache storage for said one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein said cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of said one or more files; and

d. a first and a second secondary storage device responsively coupled to said input-output logic section of said first host processor for storing said one or more files.

3. A data processing system comprising:

a. a first host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of said one file, said first host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to said first host processor and output of data from said first host processor;

b. a first outboard file cache coupled to said input-output logic section of said first host processor and responsive to said file access commands, wherein said first outboard file cache provides cache storage for said one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein said cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of said one or more files;

c. a second outboard file cache coupled to said input-output logic section of said first host processor and responsive to said file access commands, wherein said second outboard file cache provides cache storage for said one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein said cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of said one or more files;

d. a first, secondary storage device responsively coupled to said input-output logic section of said first host processor for storing said one or more files;

e. a second, secondary storage device responsively coupled to said input-output logic section of said first host processor for storing said one or more files;

f. a second host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of said one file, said second host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to said second host processor and output of data from said second host processor, wherein said second host processor is data connectable to said second secondary storage device, wherein said second host processor is data connectable with said second outboard file cache;

g. means for initializing said first and second outboard file caches to contain the same cached data;

h. means for initializing said first and second secondary storage devices to contain the same file data;

i. means for reading said file data from said first secondary storage device, including staging said file data from said first secondary storage device to said first outboard file cache if said data is not present in said first outboard file cache;

j. means for updating said cached data in said first and second outboard file caches corresponding to said file data in said first and second secondary storage devices, including staging said file data from at least one of said secondary storage devices to said first outboard file cache if said data is not present in said first outboard file cache, including staging said file data from at least one of said secondary storage devices to said second outboard file cache if said data is not present in said second outboard file cache;

k. means for destaging said cached data in said first and second outboard file caches, including writing said cached data from said first outboard file cache to said first and second secondary storage devices, including not writing said cached data from said second outboard file cache to either first or second secondary storage devices; and

l. means for recovering from a failure of one of said outboard file caches, including informing the operating system that the failed outboard file cache is not to have data read from or written to, and resuming data processing.

4. A data processing system as recited in claim 3, wherein said first host processor, first outboard file cache, and first secondary storage device reside at a first site and said second host processor, second outboard file cache, and second secondary storage device reside at a second site, wherein said second host processor is data connectable to said second secondary storage device, further comprising:

means for recovering from failure of said first site, including ensuring said second host processor is in communication with said second outboard file cache, ensuring said second host processor is in communication with said second secondary storage device, and resuming data processing.

5. In a data processing system having:

a. a first host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host'"'"' processor;

b. a first outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the first outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

c. a second outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the second outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

d. a first, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files;

e. a second, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files; and

f. a second host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor, wherein the second host processor is data connectable to the second secondary storage device, wherein the second host processor is data connectable with the second outboard file cache, a method for updating cached data corresponding to file data in the first and second secondary storage devices with new data comprising the steps;

i. if the cached data is not present in the first outboard file cache, staging the file data from either of the secondary storage devices to the first outboard file cache;

ii. if the cached data is not present in the second outboard file cache, staging the file data from either of the secondary storage devices to the second outboard file cache;

iii. writing the new data to the first outboard file cache; and

iv. writing the new data to the second outboard file cache.

6. A method for updating cached data as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

a. checking for an indication that the first host processor is transitioning from a single outboard file cache mode to a dual outboard file cache mode before said staging and writing steps; and

b. if said indicator indicates said transition, writing the new data directly to the first and second secondary storage devices, not writing the new data to the first and second outboard file caches, and not performing said staging steps.

7. In a data processing system having:

a. a first host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor;

b. a first outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the first outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

c. a second outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the second outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

d. a first, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files;

e. a second, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files; and

f. a second host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor, wherein the second host processor is data connectable to the second secondary storage device, wherein the second host processor is data connectable with the second outboard file cache, a method for reading file data corresponding to file data on the first secondary storage device into the first host processor comprising the steps;

i. if the cached data is not present in the first outboard file cache, staging the file data from either of the secondary storage devices to the first outboard file cache; and

ii. reading the data from the first outboard file cache.

8. A method for reading data as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

allocating space on the second outboard file cache sufficient to contain the data in the first outboard file cache.

9. A method for reading data as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

a. checking for an indication that the first host processor is transitioning from a single outboard file cache mode to a dual outboard file cache mode before said allocating step; and

b. if said indicator indicates said transition, not performing said allocating step.

10. In a data processing system having:

a. a first host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor;

b. a first outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the first outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

c. a second outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the second outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

d. a first, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files;

e. a second, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files; and

f. a second host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor, wherein the second host processor is data connectable to the second secondary storage device, wherein the second host processor is, data connectable with the second outboard file cache, a method for destaging cached data on the first and second outboard file caches corresponding to file data on the first secondary storage device comprising the steps;

i. writing the cached data from the first outboard file cache to the first secondary storage device;

ii. writing the cached data from the first outboard file cache to the second secondary storage device; and

iii. not writing to the secondary storage the cached data from the second outboard file cache corresponding to the file data on the first and second secondary storage devices.

11. A method of destaging as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

a. purging the cached data from the first outboard file cache device after both of said writing steps; and

b. purging the cached data from the second outboard file cache without writing the cached data to either of the first or second secondary storage devices.

12. In a data processing system having:

a. a first host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor;

b. a first outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the first outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

c. a second outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the second outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

d. a first, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files;

e. a second, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files; and

f. a second host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor, wherein the second host processor is data connectable to the second secondary storage device, wherein the second host processor is data connectable with the second outboard file cache, a method for initiating a host mode utilizing the first and second outboard file caches comprising;

i. setting an indicator that the host mode is changing from single to dual mode;

ii. preventing writes to either of the first or second outboard file caches while said indicator is set;

iii. destaging all data in the first outboard file cache to the first and second secondary storage devices, if the data is newer than the data in the first and second secondary storage devices;

iv. purging all file data in the second outboard file cache; and

v. clearing said indicator.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, further comprising preventing allocation of memory in the second outboard file cache in response to reading of data in the first outboard file cache.

14. In a data processing system having:

a. a first host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor;

b. a first outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the first outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

c. a second outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the second outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

d. a first, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files;

e. a second, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files; and

f. a second host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor, wherein the second host processor is data connectable to the second secondary storage device, wherein the second host processor is data connectable with the second outboard file cache, a method for operating the data processing system to recover from failure of either of the first or second outboard file cache comprising;

i. initializing the first and second outboard file caches to contain the same cached data;

ii. initializing the first and second secondary storage devices to contain the same file data;

iii. reading the file data from the first secondary storage device, including staging the file data from the first secondary storage device to the first outboard file cache if the data is not present in the first outboard file cache;

iv. updating the cached data in the first and second outboard file caches corresponding to the file data in the first and second secondary storage devices, including staging the file data from the first or second secondary storage device to the first outboard file cache if the data is not present in the first outboard file cache, including staging the file data from the first or second secondary storage device to the second outboard file cache if the data is not present in the second outboard file cache;

v. destaging the cached data in the first and second outboard file caches, including writing the cached data from the first outboard file cache to the first and second secondary storage devices, including not writing the cached data from the second outboard file cache to either first or second secondary storage devices; and

vi. recovering from a failure of one outboard file cache, including informing the operating system that the failed outboard file cache is not to have data read from or written to, and resuming data processing.

15. A method for operating a data processing system as recited in claim 14, wherein the first host processor, first outboard file cache, and first secondary storage device reside at a first site and the second host processor, second outboard file cache, and second secondary storage device reside at a second site, further comprising:

recovering from failure of the first site, including ensuring the second host processor is in communication with the second outboard file cache, ensuring the second host processor is in communication with the second secondary storage device, and resuming data processing at the second site.

16. A data processing system comprising having a first and a second host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, each host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor;

a first outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor;

a second outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the second host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein each outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

a first secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files; and

a second secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the second host processor for storing the one or more files, wherein the improvement comprises;

a. the second outboard file cache being coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the second outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

b. means for initializing the first and second outboard file caches to contain the same cached data;

c. means for initializing the first and second secondary storage devices to contain the same file data;

d. means for reading the file data from the first secondary storage device, including staging the file data from the first secondary storage device to the first outboard file cache if the data is not present in the first outboard file cache;

e. means for the first host updating the cached data in the first and second outboard file caches corresponding to the file data in the first and second secondary storage devices, including the first host writing data to both the first and second outboard file caches;

f. means for destaging the cached data in the first and second outboard file caches, including the first host writing the cached data from the first outboard file cache to the first secondary storage device, including the second host writing the cached data from the second outboard file cache to the second secondary storage device; and

g. means for recovering from a failure of the first host processor, first outboard file cache, or first secondary storage device including resuming data processing utilizing the second host processor, second outboard file cache, and second secondary storage device.

17. A data processing system comprising:

a. a first host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of said one file, said first host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to said host processor and output of data from said first host processor;

b. a second host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of said one file, said second host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to said second host processor and output of data from said second host processor;

c. a first outboard file cache coupled to said input-output logic section of said first host processor and responsive to said file access commands, wherein said first outboard file cache provides cache storage for said one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein said cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of said one or more files;

d. a second outboard file cache coupled to said input-output logic section of said first and second host processors and responsive to said file access commands, wherein said second outboard file cache provides cache storage for said one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein said cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of said one or more files;

e. a first secondary storage device responsively coupled to said input-output logic section of said first host processor for storing said one or more files; and

f. a second secondary storage device responsively coupled to said input-output logic section of said second host processor for storing said one or more files.

18. A data processing system comprising:

a. a first host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of said one file, said first host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to said first host processor and output of data from said first host processor;

b. a first outboard file cache coupled to said input-output logic section of said first host processor and responsive to said file access commands, wherein said first outboard file cache provides cache storage for said one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein said cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of said one or more files;

c. a second outboard file cache coupled to said input-output logic section of said first host processor and responsive to said file access commands, wherein said second outboard file cache provides cache storage for said one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein said cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of said one or more files;

d. a first, secondary storage device responsively coupled to said input-output logic section of said first host processor for storing said one or more files;

e. a second host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of said one file, said second host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to said second host processor and output of data from said second host processor, wherein said second host processor is responsively coupled to said second outboard file cache;

f. a second, secondary storage device responsively coupled to said input-output logic section of said second host processor for storing said one or more files;

g. means for initializing said first outboard file cache and first secondary storage device to contain the same data, in combination, as said second outboard file cache and said second secondary storage device;

h. means for reading said file data from said first secondary storace device, including staging said file data from said first secondary storage device to said first outboard file cache if said data is not present in said first outboard file cache;

i. means for updating said cached data in said first and second outboard file caches corresponding to said file data in said first and second secondary storage devices, including said first host writing data to said first and second outboard file caches;

j. means for destaging said cached data in said first and second outboard file caches, including said first host writing said cached data from said first outboard file cache to said first secondary storage device, including said second host writing said cached data from said second outboard file cache to said second secondary storage device; and

k. means for recovering from a failure of said first host, first secondary device, or first outboard file cache, including resuming data processing utilizing said second host, second secondary storage device, and second outboard file cache.

19. In a data processing system having:

a. a first host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor;

b. a first outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the first outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

c. a second outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the second outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

d. a first, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files;

e. a second, secondary storage device;

f. a second host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the second host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the second host processor and output of data from the host processor, wherein the second host processor input-output logic section is responsively coupled to the second secondary storage device for storing the one or more files, wherein the second host processor is responsively coupled to the second outboard file cache, wherein the second outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

a method for updating cached data corresponding to file data in the first and second secondary storage devices with new data comprising the steps;

i. writing the new data to the first outboard file cache; and

ii. writing the new data to the second outboard file cache.

20. A method for updating cached data as recited in claim 19, further comprising:

a. checking for an indication that the first host processor is transitioning from a single outboard file cache mode to a dual outboard file cache mode before said staging and writing steps; and

b. if said indicator indicates said transition, writing the new data directly to the first secondary storage device, not writing the new data to the first outboard file cache.

21. In a data processing system having:

a. a first host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor;

b. a first outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the first outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

c. a second outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the second outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

d. a first, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files;

e. a second host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor, wherein the second host processor is responsively coupled to the second outboard file cache; and

f. a second, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the second host processor for storing the one or more files;

a method for initiating a host mode utilizing the first and second outboard file caches comprising;

i. setting an indicator that the host mode is changing from single to dual mode;

ii. preventing writes to the first outboard file cache while said indicator is set;

iii. destaging all data in the first outboard file cache to the first secondary storage devices, if the data is newer than the data in the first secondary storage device;

iv. copying data from the first secondary storage device to the second outboard file cache; and

v. clearing said indicator.

22. In a data processing system having:

a. a first host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the first host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor;

b. a first outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the first outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

c. a second outboard file cache coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor and responsive to the file access commands, wherein the second outboard file cache provides cache storage for the one or more files and includes a cache memory, wherein the cache memory provides random access storage for selectable portions of the one or more files;

d. a first, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the first host processor for storing the one or more files;

e. a second host processor for issuing file access commands, wherein each file access command defines an operation to be performed on a selectable one of one or more files or a selected portion of the one file, the host processor including an input-output logic section which provides an interface for input of data to the host processor and output of data from the host processor, wherein the second host processor is coupled to the second outboard file cache; and

f. a second, secondary storage device responsively coupled to the input-output logic section of the second host processor for storing the one or more files, a method for operating the data processing system to recover from failure of the first host processor, first outboard file cache, or first secondary storage device comprising;

i. initializing the second outboard file cache and second secondary storage device to contain the same data, in combination, as the first outboard file cache and the first secondary storage device;

ii. reading the file data from the first secondary storage device, including staging the file data from the first secondary storage device to the first outboard file cache if the data is not present in the first outboard file cache;

iii. updating the cached data in the first and second outboard file caches corresponding to the file data in the first and second secondary storage devices;

iv. destaging the cached data in the first and second outboard file caches, including the first host writing cached data from the first outboard file cache to the first secondary storage device, including the second host writing cached data from the second outboard file cache to the second secondary storage device; and

v. recovering from a failure of the first host processor, first secondary storage device, or first outboard file cache, including resuming data processing utilizing the second host processor, second outboard file cache, and second secondary storage device.

23. A method for operating a data processing system as recited in claim 22, wherein the first host processor, first outboard file cache, and first secondary storage device reside at a first site and the second host processor, second outboard file cache, and second secondary storage device reside at a second site.

24. An apparatus for recovering from an error in a data processing system having a host processor which is coupled to a first outboard file cache, a first secondary storage device and a second secondary storage device, the host processor reading and writing data to the first outboard file cache and the first secondary storage device and writing the same data to both the first secondary storage device and the second secondary storage device, the data processing system further including a second outboard file cache, comprising:

a. initializing means coupled to the host processor for initializing write communication with the second outboard file cache so that when the host processor writes data to the first outboard file cache, the same data is written to the second outboard file cache; and

b. cache recovery means coupled to the host processor for recovering from one or more errors detected in the first outboard file cache by terminating communication with the first outboard file cache and initializing read communication with the second outboard file cache so that the host processor both reads and writes data to the second outboard file cache.

25. An apparatus for recovering from an error in a data processing system having a first host processor which is coupled to a first outboard file cache, a second outboard file cache, a first secondary storage device and a second secondary storage device, the first host processor having a single outboard cache mode wherein the host processor reads and writes data to either the first outboard file cache or the second outboard file cache but not both, the first host processor having a dual outboard cache mode wherein the first host processor writes data to both the first outboard file cache and the second outboard file cache and reads data from either the first outboard file cache or the second outboard file cache but not both, comprising:

a. initializing means coupled to the first host processor to initialize the first host processor into the dual outboard cache mode so that the first host processor writes data to both the first outboard file cache and the second outboard file cache and reads data from the first outboard file cache, and writes the same data to both the first secondary storage device and the second secondary storage device; and

b. host recovery means coupled to the first host processor to recover from a failure in the first host processor, said recovery means terminating the dual outboard cache mode and initiating the single outboard cache mode with the second host processor so that the second host processor reads and writes data to the second outboard file cache and the second secondary storage device.

26. A method for recovering from an error in a data processing system having a host processor which is coupled to and in communication with a first outboard file cache, a first secondary storage device and a second secondary storage device, the host processor reading and writing data to the first outboard file cache and the first secondary storage device and writing the same data to both the first secondary storage device and the second secondary storage device, the data processing system further including a second outboard file cache, the method comprising the steps of:

a. initializing write communication with the second outboard file cache so that when the host processor writes data to the first outboard file cache, the same data is written to the second outboard file cache;

b. if one or more errors occur in the first outboard file cache, recovering from said one or more errors by terminating communication with the first outboard file cache and initializing read communication with the second outboard file cache so that the host processor both reads and writes data to the second outboard file cache; and

c. if one or more errors occur in the second outboard file cache, recovering from said one or more errors by terminating communication with the second outboard file so that the host processor only reads and writes data to the first outboard file cache.

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein the step of initializing write communication with the second outboard file cache comprises the steps of:

a. setting an indicator to indicate that write communication is being initialized;

b. preventing writes to either the first outboard file cache or the second outboard file cache while said indicator is set;

c. destaging all the data in the first outboard file cache to the first secondary storage device, if the data is newer than the data in the first secondary storage device;

d. purging all the data in the second outboard file cache;

e. copying the data from the first secondary storage device to the second outboard file cache; and

f. clearing said indicator.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein step (e) further includes the step of copying the data from the first secondary storage device to the second secondary storage device.

29. A method for recovering from an error in a data processing system having a host processor which is coupled to and in communication with a first outboard file cache, a second outboard file cache, a first secondary storage device and a second secondary storage device, the host processor having a single outboard cache mode wherein the host processor reads and writes data to either the first outboard file cache or the second outboard file cache but not both, the host processor having a dual outboard cache mode wherein the host processor writes data to both the first outboard file cache and the second outboard file cache and reads data from either the first outboard file cache or the second outboard file cache but not both, the host processor writing the same data to both the first secondary storage device and the second secondary storage device, the method comprising the steps of:

a. initializing the dual outboard cache mode so that the host processor writes data to both the first outboard file cache and the second outboard file cache and reads data from the first outboard file cache; and

b. if a failure occurs in the first outboard file cache or the second outboard file cache, recovering from said failure by terminating the dual outboard cache mode and initiating the single outboard cache mode so that the host processor only reads and writes data to the first outboard file cache if no errors were detected in the first outboard file cache, or to the second outboard file cache if no errors were detected in the second outboard file cache.

30. A method according to claim 29 wherein the step of initializing the dual outboard cache mode further comprises the step of initializing the first outboard file cache and the second outboard file cache to contain the same data.

31. A method according to claim 30 wherein the step of initializing the first outboard file cache and the second outboard file cache to contain the same data comprises the steps of:

a. setting an indicator that the host processor is changing from the single outboard cache mode to the dual outboard cache mode;

b. preventing writes to either the first outboard file cache or the second outboard file cache while said indicator is set;

c. destaging all the data in the first outboard file cache to the first secondary storage device, if the data is newer than the data in the first secondary storage device;

d. purging all the data in the second outboard file cache;

e. copying the data from the first secondary storage device to the second outboard file cache; and

f. clearing said indicator.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein step (e) further includes the step of copying the data from the first secondary storage device to the second secondary storage device.

33. A method according to claim 29 further comprising the step of reinitializing the dual outboard cache mode if the failure which occurred within the first outboard file cache or the second outboard file cache is cured.

34. A method for recovering from an error in a data processing system having a first host processor which is coupled to and in communication with a first outboard file cache, a second outboard file cache, a first secondary storage device and a second secondary storage device, the first host processor having a single outboard cache mode wherein the host processor reads and writes data to either the first outboard file cache or the second outboard file cache but not both, the first host processor having a dual outboard cache mode wherein the first host processor writes data to both the first outboard file cache and the second outboard file cache and reads data from either the first outboard file cache or the second outboard file cache but not both, the method comprising the steps of:

a. initializing the dual outboard cache mode so that the first host processor writes data to both the first outboard file cache and the second outboard file cache and reads data from the first outboard file cache, and writes the same data to both the first secondary storage device and the second secondary storage device; and

b. if a failure occurs in the first host processor, recovering from said failure by terminating the dual outboard cache mode and initiating the single outboard cache mode with the second host processor so that the second host processor reads and writes data to the second outboard file cache and the second secondary storage device.

35. A method according to claim 34 wherein the step of initializing the dual outboard cache mode further comprises the step of initializing the first outboard file cache and the second outboard file cache to contain the same data.

36. A method according to claim 35 wherein the step of initializing the first outboard file cache and the second outboard file cache to contain the same data comprises the steps of:

a. setting an indicator that the first host processor is changing from the single outboard cache mode to the dual outboard cache mode;

b. preventing writes to either the first outboard file cache or the second outboard file cache while said indicator is set;

c. destaging all the data in the first outboard file cache to the first secondary storage device, if the data is newer than the data in the first secondary storage device;

d. purging all the data in the second outboard file cache;

e. copying the data from the first secondary storage device to the second outboard file cache; and

f. clearing said indicator.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein step (e)further includes the step of copying the data from the first secondary storage device to the second secondary storage device.