Emc Corporation

Michael Shulman

Robert A Thibault

David Lionel Black

Stephen D MacArthur

Richard Wheeler

A system interface includes a plurality of first directors, a plurality of second directors, a data transfer section and a message network. The data transfer section includes a cache memory. The cache memory is coupled to the plurality of first and second directors. The messaging network operates independently of the data transfer section and such network is coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors. The first and second directors control data transfer between the first directors and the second directors in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the messaging network to facilitate data transfer between first directors and the second directors. The data passes through the cache memory in the data transfer section. A method for operating a data storage system adapted to transfer data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives. The method includes transferring messages through a messaging network with the data being transferred between the host computer/server and the bank of disk drives through a cache memory, such message network being independent of the cache memory.

Method for message transfer in computer storage system

A computer storage system includes an array of storage devices, a system cache memory, one or more back end directors for controlling data transfer between the storage devices and the system cache memory, and one or more front end directors for controlling data transfer between the system cache memory and a host computer. Each director includes a processor and a message interface for controlling high speed message transfer between the processors in the directors. The message interfaces in the directors may be interconnected in a closed-loop configuration. Each message interface may include a transmit/receive circuit for transferring messages to and from other directors, a message memory for storing outgoing messages and incoming messages, and a message controller for controlling transfer of messages between the processor and the message memory and between the message memory and the transmit/receive circuit.

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Groton, MA, United States of America

Michael Shulman