EP0426184A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Bus master command protocol
Assignee: Compaq Computer Corp
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Filing: 1990-11-02
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A bus master interface command protocol for use with a computer system having an intelligent mass storage disk array subsystem, including a bus master and microprocessor controller. The command protocol permits the computer system to issue disk array commands to the controller at a logical level without having to issue disk specific commands. The disk array subsystem microprocessor controller reads the logical commands, translates the commands into smaller disk specific commands, and queues the disk specific commands for processing. Upon completion of the logical command, the bus master controller asserts control over the computer system bus and manages the transfer of data to or from the computer system memory. The management of the disk array subsystem and the transfer of data is effectively off-loaded from the system processor permitting more efficient use of the processor.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Schmenk
- 👤 David L. Grant
- 👤 Stephen M. Schultz
- 👤 David E. Neufeld
- 👤 David L. Flower
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/06; G06F3/0601; G06F3/0668; G06F3/0671; G06F3/0673
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
For use with a computer system having a bus, an intelligent mass storage disk array subsystem, the disk subsystem having a microprocessor controller, and other device drivers, a method for managing the transfer of data and system management information between the disk array subsystem and the computer system comprising: sending a plurality of disk requests from the computer system to the disk array subsystem controller; translating the plurality of disk requests into disk specific commands used to manage the operations of the disk storage devices within the disk array independent of the computer system processor; processing of the plurality of disk specific commands by the disk array controller; managing control of the transfer of data to or from the computer system memory by the microprocessor controller; and notifying the computer system when the plurality disk requests have been fully processed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
For use with a computer system having a bus, an intelligent mass storage disk array subsystem, the disk subsystem having a microprocessor controller, and other device drivers, a method for managing the transfer of data and system management information between the disk array subsystem and the computer system comprising: sending a plurality of disk requests from the computer system to the disk array subsystem controller; translating the plurality of disk requests into disk specific commands used to manage the operations of the disk storage devices within the disk array independent of the computer system processor; processing of the plurality of disk specific commands by the disk array controller; managing control of the transfer of data to or from the computer system memory by the microprocessor controller; and notifying the computer system when the plurality disk requests have been fully processed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the sending of a plurality of disk requests further includes building a plurality of information control packets specifying a plurality of functions to be performed by the disk array subsystem.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the building of an information control packet further includes specifying command completion information, command priority information and data address and size.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein translating the plurality of disk requests into disk specific commands includes: reading the disk request and information control packets associated with the disk request; calculating disk derive specific parameters for disks within the array according to the information contained in the control packets; and building a plurality of disk specific command packets, including command function and disk specific parameters, for each disk request.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
35 words
The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processing of disk specific command packets includes: queuing the disk specific commands according to the priority information specified in the information control packet; and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
transferring the disk specific commands to the individual disk drives in the array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
transferring the disk specific commands to the individual disk drives in the array.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
69 words
The method of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the method of managing control of the transfer of data by the microprocessor controller includes: asserting control over the computer system bus by means of a bus master; determining the method of transfer information; transferring data to or from the computer system according to the method determined by the bus master, and relinquishing control of the computer system bus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the transferring of data to or from the computer system includes transferring of 32 bit data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the transferring of data to or from the computer system includes transferring of 32 bit data at the rate of 33 Mbytes per second.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the transferring of data to or from the computer system includes transferring of 32 bit data to a computer system device capable of receiving 8 bit or 16 bit data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the transferring of data to or from the computer system includes transferring a single byte of memory to or from the computer system or a device attached to the computer system.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
39 words
The method of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein notifying the computer system when the plurality of disk requests have been fully processed includes notifying the computer system of the completion of processing of an information control packet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
An information control packet for use with a computer system having an intelligent mass storage disk array subsystem, including a microprocessor controller, comprising: a command list header; and a plurality of disk command requests.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
An information control packet for use with a computer system having an intelligent mass storage disk array subsystem, including a microprocessor controller, comprising: a command list header; and a plurality of disk command requests.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The information control packet of claim 12, wherein the command list header includes information common to all disk command requests.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The information control packet of claim 13, wherein the information common to all disk command requests includes: a logical drive description; a priority for the command list; and control information applicable to each disk command requests.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The information control packet of claim 14, wherein the control information within the command header includes: additional priority information; and command completion information relating to the entire command list.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The information control packet of any of claims 12 to 15, wherein each disk command requests includes: a request header; and a plurality of descriptor packets.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
107 words
The information control packet of claim 16, wherein the request header includes: a disk command which specifies the function of the command; a return code specifying the manner in which the disk array controller is to notify the computer system upon completion of the specific command; an address specifying a location in the logical drive specified in the command list header; the volume of data to be transferred to or from the logical drive specified in the command list header; the memory address of the next request header in the command list; and the number of descriptor packets within a set associated with the disk command requests.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The information control packet of claim 17, wherein the request header further includes a second number specifying a second set of descriptor packets associated with the disk command request.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The information control packet of any of claims 16 to 18, wherein a descriptor packet includes:
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
a buffer address specifying a location in system memory to be used in the disk command; and a buffer length specifying a volume of data beginning at the buffer address.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
a buffer address specifying a location in system memory to be used in the disk command; and a buffer length specifying a volume of data beginning at the buffer address.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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