Lsi Logic Corporation

Netapp, Inc.

Lsi Corporation

Jeremy D Stover

Keith W Holt

Charles D Binford

William Hetrick

Matt Tiemeyer

Pamela Delaney

Steven James Ralston

Mohamad H El-Batal

Rodney A Dekoning

Steven G Hagerott

Dennis E Gates

John R Kloeppner

James A Lynn

Jason M Stuhlsatz

Robert E Stubbs

Dennis James Hahn

Timothy M Flynn

Jason M Stuhsatz

Dan A Riedl

Andrew A Cottrell

Paul A Egy

Luke Hodges

A storage device manipulation system for implementing communications between a set of storage devices and a midplane is described. The storage device manipulation system may comprise a receiver and a communication system. The receiver may be configured to receive a command and generate a stimulus corresponding to the command. The communication system may be communicatively connected to the receiver and may be communicatively connectable to the set of storage devices and the midplane. The communication system may be configured to implement communication between the set of storage devices and the midplane based upon the stimulus by selectively providing power to the storage devices in the set of storage devices, selectively providing power to the ports on the midplane, and selectively establishing communication between the storage devices and the ports.

System for automating storage device swaps and/or replacements

A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for a storage subsystem. This subsystem includes controller devices, storage devices, and a communications network. The communications network connects the controller devices and the storage devices. The communications network also includes a set of diagnostic outputs. The set of diagnostic outputs is configured to output data sent between two devices from the controller devices and the storage devices for monitoring.

Method and apparatus for debugging protocol traffic between devices in integrated subsystems

A controller system for detecting and matching link speeds. The present invention provides for a controller system. The controller system is a first controller and a first port. The first port is located in the first controller and has a first link speed. The first controller is adapted to match the first link speed to a second link speed of a second port of a first controlled device that is connectable to the first controller.

Devices and methods for matching link speeds between controllers and controlled devices

A configurable storage array controller can be configured to either a single-processor configuration or a multi-processor configuration by configuring a data bus switch system.

Configurable storage array controller

The present invention discloses a system for adjusting the speed of operation of a channel for communicating with disk drives in a multi ported system, comprising a bridge controller having a first channel and a second channel and a plurality of enclosure services modules, each having a first channel connected in sequence from a bridge controller to a first enclosure services module and successively connected to successive enclosure services modules to a last enclosure services module and each having a second channel connected in reverse sequence from the bridge controller to the last enclosure services module and successively connected to the successive enclosure services modules to the first enclosure services module. In the disclosed method for changing the speed of operation of a channel, a change speed is performed on either the first or second channel and the other of the first and second channel is used to send change speed frames from the bridge controller to each of the plurality of enclosure services modules.

Method for changing fibre channel speed of a drive loop with ESM-controlled drive boxes using redundant drive channels

Structures and methods for non-intrusive testing of communication signals exchanged between two circuit boards via an intermediate interconnect board. In one aspect hereof, the functional signal normally exchanged between the circuits is latched during the exchange of test signals and the latched functional signal is utilized within the circuit that normally receives the functional signal to continue normal operations. In another aspect hereof, the test signals are exchanged over a dedicated test signal path between the two circuits. In another aspect hereof, the test signals are exchanged over the functional signal paths as out of band signals.

Systems and methods for non-intrusive testing of signals between circuits

A system has a plurality of enclosures. Each enclosure has two enclosure services modules. Each enclosure services module has an IN port and an EXPANSION port. Each enclosure services module is able to determine the data rate of incoming data and check the validity of this data. If the data rate is other than what the enclosure services module is set for, the data rate of the enclosure services module is changed to that of the incoming data. In the system, there are a disk array controller having a first channel and a second channel. The first channel is formed in sequence from a disk array controller to a first enclosure services module of a first enclosure and between first enclosure services modules of successive enclosures to a last enclosure. The second channel is formed in reverse sequence from the disk array controller to the second enclosure services module of the last enclosure and between second enclosure services modules of successive enclosures to the first enclosure.

Hardware speed selection behind a disk array controller

Methods and associated apparatus for generating and maintaining a unique identity for an enclosure in a storage system. Where an enclosure compliant with storage industry standards is to maintain a unique identity, methods of the present invention are operable to coordinate use of redundant devices within the enclosure that serve, among other functions, to store and report the unique identity of the enclosure. The redundant devices (i.e., environmental service cards or modules) assure that the enclosure identity remains unique among such enclosures despite hot or cold swaps of the redundant devices among the several enclosures. A change number portion of the unique identity value stored in each of the redundant devices is updated (i.e., incremented) each time a change in the configuration of redundant devices is detected by the devices. An incumbent one of the redundant devices reports the unique identity for the enclosure in response to attached system requests. By assuring a unique identity is generated in each redundant device upon sensing any change in the configuration of the redundant devices, the methods and apparatus of the present invention assure a unique identity for the enclosure is maintained and reported regardless of device swap operations (hot or cold devices swaps).

System for updating an identity of a device in response to determining that a neighbor device has an identity different from one stored therein

A loop isolation circuit (LIC) to enable subdivision of a single daisy-chained communication loop (e.g., FC-AL) into smaller loops and to enable joining of smaller loops into a single larger loop. An LIC comprises essentially two multiplexors configured so as to permit controlled subdivision or joining of two loop portions. In a first selected state, the LIC subdivides a communication loop in which it is inserted into two loops. This configuration sacrifices accessibility among some devices previously on the larger loop for the benefit of enhanced bandwidth and reduced overhead due to node count. Bandwidth is enhanced by enabling simultaneous operation of two (or more) loop portions for establishing and communicating over logical circuit connections. However, when a failure of a redundant loop precludes access to devices, the LIC may be set to a second state to rejoin previously subdivided loops into a larger loop. This configuration restores access among all devices sharing common access to the larger loop. The LIC of the present invention therefore enables communication loop controllers to dynamically reconfigure a daisy-chained loop communication system to enhance performance in normal operation. The LIC of further enables restoration of the larger loop to restore redundant loop configurations. The LIC of the present invention is applicable in many daisy-chained loop communication environments including, but not limited to, Fiber Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL).

Methods and apparatus for dynamic topology configuration in a

A method and apparatus for providing loop coherency between a multiplicity of nodes. The disclosed technique and apparatus utilize a primary loop for nominal data communications and a normally unutilized secondary loop. A loop coherency circuit detects a loop incoherency condition which results in a interruption of the primary loop. The loop coherency circuit reroutes the flow of data to a secondary loop segment and back to a primary loop segment to provide a continuous coherent arbitrated loop.

Growing community of inventors

Wichita, KS, United States of America

Jeremy D Stover