Loosely coupled mass storage computer cluster

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein said storing step comprises the step of storing data across said processor systems according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of storing data at each processor system according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of reading data from said computer system, in the absence of a failure of any of said processor systems, from each of said processor systems over respective ones of said data channel interconnections to establish a load balance across said processor systems.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of reading data from said computer system, in the presence of a failure of one of said processor systems, said reading step, in the presence of failure, comprising the steps of reading data from each non-failed processor system storing said data, and reading redundant data from said non-failed processor systems in place of said data stored at said failed processor system, and reproducing said data stored at said failed processor system using said redundant data and data read from said non-failed processor systems.

Claim 7

The method of claim 5 wherein said data input storing step comprises the step of storing said input data according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 8

The method of claim 6 wherein each said processor system stores data on its associated mass storage sub-system according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 9

The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of preventing, during the presence of the failure of any of said processing systems, the writing of any data in the mass storage sub-system of any of said processor systems having the failure.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1 wherein said storing step comprises the step of designating one processor system to effect all write functions for said computer system.

Claim 11

The method of claim 1 wherein said storing step comprises the steps of one processor system allocating files for each data input, and enabling all processor systems to write input data to its associated allocated files.

Claim 12

The method of claim 1 wherein said storing step comprises the step of arbitrating write operations among said processor systems using a distributed lock manager.

Claim 13

The method of claim 1 wherein said data input storing step comprises the step of storing said input data as named fragment files in each said processor system.

Claim 14

The method of claim 12 wherein said data input storing step further comprises the step of storing said input data according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 15

The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of adding a processor system to said distributed computer system, and reconstructing said named fragment files to extend over all the processor systems while said distributed computer system continues to actively deliver stored data as an output stream.

Claim 16

The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of reconstructing a failed processor system by reconstructing only data objects which were written while the processor system was in a failed state.

Claim 17

A distributed computer system having at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, comprising interconnecting channels providing a point-to-point two way channel interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems; and a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored in the at least one mass storage sub-system at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data stored in the at least one mass storage sub-system at each of said processor systems.

Claim 18

A distributed computer system having at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, comprising interconnecting channels providing a point-to-point two way channel interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems; and a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored in the at least one mass storage sub-system at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data stored in the at least one mass storage sub-system at each of said processor systems.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said storage controllers store data across said processor systems according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein each said storage controller stores data at each processor system according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said data storage controllers store said input data among the processors according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein each said processor system controller stores data on its associated mass storage according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said controllers read data from said computer system, in the absence of a failure of any of said processor systems, from each of said processor systems over respective ones of said interconnecting channels, in a manner that enables said controllers to establish a load balance across said processor systems.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said controllers read data from said computer system, in the presence of a failure of one of said processor systems, by reading data from each non-failed processor system storing said data, and by reading redundant data from said non-failed processor systems in place of said data stored at said failed processor system, and the requesting processor system reproducing said data stored at said failed processor system using said read data and said redundant data.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said storage controllers prevent, during the presence of a failure of any of said processing systems, writing of any data to the mass storage sub-system of any of said processor systems experiencing a failure.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein one processor system is designated to effect all write functions for said computer system.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said one processor system allocates files for each data input, and each processor system is enabled to write input data to its associated allocated files.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said controllers arbitrate write operations among said processor systems using a distributed lock.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said storage controllers store said input data as named fragment files in said distributed computer system.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said storage controllers store said data objects as named fragment files across said processor systems according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 31

A distributed data delivery system comprising at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, interconnecting data channels providing a point-to-point two way channel interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems, a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data stored at each of said processors, a switching circuit having n interruptible input ports, at least n+1 interrupting input ports, and at least n+1 output ports, said n interruptible input ports being connected to a respective primary processor system, each said primary processor system having an output connected to a respective interrupting input port, and each said processor system connected to two of said switching circuits and able to selectively interrupt one of the n interruptible input ports with the signal information available from a respective one of said processor systems, and said processor systems, in the event of a failure at one processor system, using a previously unused one of said processor systems, and causing said switching circuit to connect the interruptible input port of the failed processor system to a different processor system, and to replace the output of said failed processor system with the output of said different processor system.

Claim 32

A distributed data delivery system comprising at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, interconnecting data channels providing a point-to-point two way channel interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems, a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data stored at each of said processors, a switching circuit having n interruptible input ports, at least n+1 interrupting input ports, and at least n+1 output ports, said n interruptible input ports being connected to a respective primary processor system, each said primary processor system having an output connected to a respective interrupting input port, and each said processor system connected to two of said switching circuits and able to selectively interrupt one of the n interruptible input ports with the signal information available from a respective one of said processor systems, and said processor systems, in the event of a failure at one processor system, using a previously unused one of said processor systems, and causing said switching circuit to connect the interruptible input port of the failed processor system to a different processor system, and to replace the output of said failed processor system with the output of said different processor system.

Claim 33

A distributed data delivery system comprising at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, interconnecting data channels providing a point-to-point two way channel interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems, a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data stored at each of said processors, (n+1) switched systems, each switched system having at least two control inputs, a first input, a second input, a third input, and a fourth input, and a first output and a second output, each switched system being connected at its second output to a processor system, an interrupting output of said associated processor system being connected to the second input of said connected switched system, said switched systems being interconnected in a ring structure so that each switched system further has an interruptible input signal connected to the first input, the second input of a first neighbor switched system connected to the third input, and the interruptible input from the other neighbor switched system on the ring connected to the fourth input, each said switched system having switching circuitry responsive to switch control signals at said control inputs for switching any of its inputs to at least its first output, and for connecting either of its first and fourth inputs to its second output, and said processor systems for providing said switch control input signals to said switched systems.

Claim 34

A distributed data delivery system comprising at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, interconnecting data channels providing a point-to-point two way channel interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems, a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data stored at each of said processors, (n+1) switched systems, each switched system having at least two control inputs, a first input, a second input, a third input, and a fourth input, and a first output and a second output, each switched system being connected at its second output to a processor system, an interrupting output of said associated processor system being connected to the second input of said connected switched system, said switched systems being interconnected in a ring structure so that each switched system further has an interruptible input signal connected to the first input, the second input of a first neighbor switched system connected to the third input, and the interruptible input from the other neighbor switched system on the ring connected to the fourth input, each said switched system having switching circuitry responsive to switch control signals at said control inputs for switching any of its inputs to at least its first output, and for connecting either of its first and fourth inputs to its second output, and said processor systems for providing said switch control input signals to said switched systems.

Claim 35

A distributed data delivery system comprising at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, interconnecting data channels providing a point-to-point two way channel interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems, a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data is stored at each of said processors, (n+1) switched systems, each switched system having at least two control inputs, four signal inputs, and two signal outputs, each switched system being connected at one of its outputs to an associated processor system, and an interrupting output of said associated processor system being connected to an input of said connected switched system, said switched systems being interconnected in a ring structure so that each switched system is connected to a first and a second neighbor switched system, each said switched system having switching circuitry responsive to switch control signals at said control inputs for selectively switching its inputs to its outputs, and said processors providing said switch control input signals to said switched systems to enable said switched systems to effectively rotate signal switching functions one position around the ring so that a failed signal processor system can be bypassed and the signals on said n first outputs continue unimpaired.

Claim 36

A distributed data delivery system comprising at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, interconnecting data channels providing a point-to-point two way channel interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems, a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data is stored at each of said processors, (n+1) switched systems, each switched system having at least two control inputs, four signal inputs, and two signal outputs, each switched system being connected at one of its outputs to an associated processor system, and an interrupting output of said associated processor system being connected to an input of said connected switched system, said switched systems being interconnected in a ring structure so that each switched system is connected to a first and a second neighbor switched system, each said switched system having switching circuitry responsive to switch control signals at said control inputs for selectively switching its inputs to its outputs, and said processors providing said switch control input signals to said switched systems to enable said switched systems to effectively rotate signal switching functions one position around the ring so that a failed signal processor system can be bypassed and the signals on said n first outputs continue unimpaired.

Claim 37

The distributed data delivery system of claim 31 further wherein said processors effectively rotate signal switching functions in either direction around the ring.

Claim 40

The method of claim 33 further comprising the step of storing data at each processor system according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 41

A distributed computer system having at least two processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, comprising interconnecting channels providing a point-to-point two way channel interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems; a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process whereby data is stored at each of said processor systems and some of a redundant representation of the data is stored at each of said processors; and said controllers reading data from said computer system, in the absence of a failure of any of said processor systems, from each of said processor systems over respective ones of said interconnecting channels, whereby said controllers establish a load balance across said processor systems.

Claim 42

A distributed computer system having at least two processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, comprising interconnecting channels providing a point-to-point two way channel interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems; a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process whereby data is stored at each of said processor systems and some of a redundant representation of the data is stored at each of said processors; and said controllers reading data from said computer system, in the absence of a failure of any of said processor systems, from each of said processor systems over respective ones of said interconnecting channels, whereby said controllers establish a load balance across said processor systems.

Claim 43

The apparatus of claim 35 wherein each said storage controller stores data at each processor system according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 46

The method of claim 37 wherein said storing step comprises the step of storing data across said processor systems according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 47

The method of claim 38 further comprising the step of storing data at each processor system according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 48

The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of reading data from said computer system, in the absence of a failure of any of said processor systems, from each of said processor systems over said data communications network to establish a load balance across said processor systems.

Claim 49

The method of claim 40 further comprising the steps of reading data from said computer system, in the presence of a failure of one of said processor systems, said reading step, in the presence of failure, comprising the steps of reading data from each non-failed processor system storing said data, and reading redundant data from said non-failed processor systems in place of said data stored at said failed processor system, and reproducing said data stored at said failed processor system using said redundant data and data read from said non-failed processor systems.

Claim 50

The method of claim 41 wherein said data input storing step comprises the step of storing said input data according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 51

The method of claim 42 wherein each said processor system stores data on its associated mass storage sub-system according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 52

The method of claim 41 further comprising the step of preventing, during the presence of the failure of any of said processing systems, the writing of any data in the mass storage sub-system of any of said processor systems having the failure.

Claim 53

The method of claim 37 wherein said storing step comprises the step of designating one processor system to effect all write functions for said computer system.

Claim 54

The method of claim 37 wherein said storing step comprises the steps of one processor system allocating files for each data input, and enabling all processor systems to write input data to its associated allocated files.

Claim 55

The method of claim 37 wherein said storing step comprises the step of arbitrating write operations among said processor systems using a distributed lock manager.

Claim 56

The method of claim 37 wherein said data input storing step comprises the step of storing said input data as named fragment files in each said processor system.

Claim 57

The method of claim 48 wherein said data input storing step further comprises the step of storing said input data according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 58

The method of claim 49 further comprising the steps of adding a processor system to said distributed computer system, and reconstructing said named fragment files to extend over all the processor systems while said distributed computer system continues to actively deliver stored data as an output stream.

Claim 59

The method of claim 50 further comprising the step of reconstructing a failed processor system by reconstructing only data objects which were written while the processor system was in a failed state.

Claim 60

A distributed computer system having at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, comprising an interconnecting data communications network providing communications from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems; and a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored in the at least one mass storage sub-system at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data stored in the at least one mass storage sub-system at each of said processors.

Claim 61

A distributed computer system having at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, comprising an interconnecting data communications network providing communications from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems; and a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored in the at least one mass storage sub-system at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data stored in the at least one mass storage sub-system at each of said processors.

Claim 62

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said storage controllers store data across said processor systems according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 63

The apparatus of claim 53 wherein each said storage controller stores data at each processor system according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 64

The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said data storage controllers store said input data among the processors according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 65

The apparatus of claim 55 wherein each said processor system controller stores data on its associated mass storage according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 66

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said controllers read data from said computer system, in the absence of a failure of any of said processor systems, from each of said processor systems over said interconnecting data communications network, in a manner that enables said controllers to establish a load balance across said processor systems.

Claim 67

The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said controllers read data from said computer system, in the presence of a failure of one of said processor systems, by reading data from each non-failed processor system storing said data, and by reading redundant data from said non-failed processor systems in place of said data stored at said failed processor system, and the requesting processor system reproducing said data stored at said failed processor system using said read data and said redundant data.

Claim 68

The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said storage controllers prevent, during the presence of a failure of any of said processing systems, writing of any data to the mass storage sub-system of any of said processor systems experiencing a failure.

Claim 69

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein one processor system is designated to effect all write functions for said computer system.

Claim 70

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein one processor system allocates files for each data input, and each processor system is enabled to write input data to its associated allocated files.

Claim 71

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said controllers arbitrate write operations among said processor systems using a distributed lock.

Claim 72

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said storage controllers store said input data as named fragment files in said distributed computer system.

Claim 73

The apparatus of claim 63 wherein said storage controllers store said data objects as named fragment files across said processor systems according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 74

A distributed data delivery system comprising at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, an interconnecting data communications network providing interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems, a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data stored at each of said processors, a switching circuit having n interruptible input ports, at least n+1 interrupting input ports, and at least n+1 output ports, said n interruptible input ports being connected to a respective primary processor system, each said primary processor system having an output connected to a respective interrupting input port, and each said processor system connected to two of said switching circuits and able to selectively interrupt one of the n interruptible input ports with the signal information available from a respective one of said processor systems, and said processor systems, in the event of a failure at one processor system, using a previously unused one of said processor systems, and causing said switching circuit to connect the interruptible input port of the failed processor system to a different processor system, and to replace the output of said failed processor system with the output of said different processor system.

Claim 75

A distributed data delivery system comprising at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, an interconnecting data communications network providing interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems, a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data stored at each of said processors, a switching circuit having n interruptible input ports, at least n+1 interrupting input ports, and at least n+1 output ports, said n interruptible input ports being connected to a respective primary processor system, each said primary processor system having an output connected to a respective interrupting input port, and each said processor system connected to two of said switching circuits and able to selectively interrupt one of the n interruptible input ports with the signal information available from a respective one of said processor systems, and said processor systems, in the event of a failure at one processor system, using a previously unused one of said processor systems, and causing said switching circuit to connect the interruptible input port of the failed processor system to a different processor system, and to replace the output of said failed processor system with the output of said different processor system.

Claim 76

A distributed data delivery system comprising at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, an interconnecting data communications network providing interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems, a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data is stored at each of said processors, (n+1) switched systems, each switched system having at least two control inputs, a first input, a second input, a third input, and a fourth input, and a first output and a second output, each switched system being connected at its second output to a processor system, an interrupting output of said associated processor system being connected to the second input of said connected switched system, said switched systems being interconnected in a ring structure so that each switched system further has an interruptible input signal connected to the first input, the second input of a first neighbor switched system connected to the third input, and the interruptible input from the other neighbor switched system on the ring connected to the fourth input, each said switched system having switching circuitry responsive to switch control signals at said control inputs for switching any of its inputs to at least its first output, and for connecting either of its first and fourth inputs to its second output, and said processor systems for providing said switch control input signals to said switched systems.

Claim 77

A distributed data delivery system comprising at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, an interconnecting data communications network providing interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems, a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data is stored at each of said processors, (n+1) switched systems, each switched system having at least two control inputs, a first input, a second input, a third input, and a fourth input, and a first output and a second output, each switched system being connected at its second output to a processor system, an interrupting output of said associated processor system being connected to the second input of said connected switched system, said switched systems being interconnected in a ring structure so that each switched system further has an interruptible input signal connected to the first input, the second input of a first neighbor switched system connected to the third input, and the interruptible input from the other neighbor switched system on the ring connected to the fourth input, each said switched system having switching circuitry responsive to switch control signals at said control inputs for switching any of its inputs to at least its first output, and for connecting either of its first and fourth inputs to its second output, and said processor systems for providing said switch control input signals to said switched systems.

Claim 78

A distributed data delivery system comprising at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, an interconnecting data communications network providing interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems, a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data stored at each of said processors, (n+1) switched systems, each switched system having at least two control inputs, four signal inputs, and two signal outputs, each switched system being connected at one of its outputs to an associated processor system, and an interrupting output of said associated processor system being connected to an input of said connected switched system, said switched systems being interconnected in a ring structure so that each switched system is connected to a first and a second neighbor switched system, each said switched system having switching circuitry responsive to switch control signals at said control inputs for selectively switching its inputs to its outputs, and said processors providing said switch control input signals to said switched systems to enable said switched systems to effectively rotate signal switching functions one position around the ring so that a failed signal processor system can be bypassed and the signals on said n first outputs continue unimpaired.

Claim 79

A distributed data delivery system comprising at least three processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, an interconnecting data communications network providing interconnection from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems, a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data stored at each of said processors, (n+1) switched systems, each switched system having at least two control inputs, four signal inputs, and two signal outputs, each switched system being connected at one of its outputs to an associated processor system, and an interrupting output of said associated processor system being connected to an input of said connected switched system, said switched systems being interconnected in a ring structure so that each switched system is connected to a first and a second neighbor switched system, each said switched system having switching circuitry responsive to switch control signals at said control inputs for selectively switching its inputs to its outputs, and said processors providing said switch control input signals to said switched systems to enable said switched systems to effectively rotate signal switching functions one position around the ring so that a failed signal processor system can be bypassed and the signals on said n first outputs continue unimpaired.

Claim 80

The distributed data delivery system of claim 67 further wherein said processors effectively rotate signal switching functions in either direction around the ring.

Claim 83

The method of claim 69 further comprising the step of storing data at each processor system according to a RAID-5 process.

Claim 84

A distributed computer system having at least two processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, comprising an interconnecting data channel communications network providing communications from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems; a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data stored at each of said processors with said controllers reading data from said computer system, in the absence of a failure of any of said processor systems, from each of said processor systems over said data communications channel in a manner that establishes a load balance across said processor systems.

Claim 85

A distributed computer system having at least two processor systems for redundantly storing data, each processor system comprising at least one central processing unit and at least one mass storage sub-system, comprising an interconnecting data channel communications network providing communications from each one of said processor systems to each other one of said processor systems; a data storage controller at each processor system, said controller storing data input at any one of said processor systems according to a distributed, redundant storage process with data stored at each of said processor systems and a portion of a redundant representation of the data stored at each of said processors with said controllers reading data from said computer system, in the absence of a failure of any of said processor systems, from each of said processor systems over said data communications channel in a manner that establishes a load balance across said processor systems.

Claim 86

The apparatus of claim 71 wherein each said storage controller stores data at each processor system according to a RAID-5 process.