Patent US3362403A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5950203A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5950203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for high-speed access to and sharing of storage devices on a networked digital data processing system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1997-12-31
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Granted: 1999-09-07
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Expires: 2017-12-31
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a digital data processing system with improved access to information stored on a peripheral device. The system has a plurality of nodes, a peripheral device, a file system and a bypass mechanism. A first node (e.g., a client node) is connected to a second node (e.g., a server node) over a first communications pathway (e.g., a network). The second node is itself connected to a peripheral device (e.g., a disk drive) over a second communications pathway. The first node, too, is connected to the peripheral device over a third communications pathway. The file system, executing on the first and second nodes, is capable of responding to access requests generated by the first node for transferring data between that node and the peripheral device, via the second node and via the first and second communications pathways. The file system also maintains administrative information pertaining to storage on the peripheral device of data designated by such requests. That information includes, for example, physical storage location mappings for files and other data stored on the peripheral device. The bypass mechanism, which executes on at least the first node, intercedes in the response to at least selected input/output, or access, requests generated by that node. The bypass transfers data designated by such requests between the first node and the peripheral device over the third communications pathway, in lieu of transferring that data via the second node and the first and second communications pathways. Such transfers by the bypass, however, are made using the administrative information maintained by the file system relating to storage of such data on the peripheral device.
Inventors
- 👤 Chrisopher J. Stakuis
- 👤 Kevin M. Stearns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/10; G06F3/00; G06F3/06; G06F3/0601; G06F3/0602; G06F3/061; G06F3/0611; G06F3/0628; G06F3/0629; G06F3/0635; G06F3/0668; G06F3/067; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99938
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A digital data processing system with improved access to information stored on a peripheral device, comprising A. first and second nodes coupled to one another over a first communications pathway, B. the second node being coupled to a peripheral device over a second communications pathway, C. the first node being coupled to the peripheral device over a third communications pathway, D. a file system, executing on the first and second nodes, being capable of responding to access requests generated by the first node, for (i) transferring data designated by the request between the first node and the peripheral device via the second node and via the first and second communications pathways, (ii) maintaining administrative information pertaining to storage of the data designated by the request on the peripheral device, E. a first bypass, executing on at least the first node, for interceding in response to at least a first selected access request applied thereby to the file system, by transferring data designated by that request between the first node and the peripheral device over the third communications pathway in accord with administrative information maintained by the file system pertaining to storage of that data on the peripheral storage device, such transfer being in lieu transfer of that data via the second node and via the first and second communications pathways.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A digital data processing system with improved access to information stored on a peripheral device, comprising A. first and second nodes coupled to one another over a first communications pathway, B. the second node being coupled to a peripheral device over a second communications pathway, C. the first node being coupled to the peripheral device over a third communications pathway, D. a file system, executing on the first and second nodes, being capable of responding to access requests generated by the first node, for (i) transferring data designated by the request between the first node and the peripheral device via the second node and via the first and second communications pathways, (ii) maintaining administrative information pertaining to storage of the data designated by the request on the peripheral device, E. a first bypass, executing on at least the first node, for interceding in response to at least a first selected access request applied thereby to the file system, by transferring data designated by that request between the first node and the peripheral device over the third communications pathway in accord with administrative information maintained by the file system pertaining to storage of that data on the peripheral storage device, such transfer being in lieu transfer of that data via the second node and via the first and second communications pathways.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the transfer of data by the first bypass between the first node and the peripheral device obviates transfer of such data by the file system between the first node and the peripheral device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first bypass transfers the designated data over the third communications pathway to physical storage locations on the peripheral device determined from the administrative information for that data maintained by the second node.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 3, wherein the first bypass obtains from the second node administrative information from which can be determined physical storage locations in the peripheral device for the data designated by the first request.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 4, wherein the first bypass at least initiates obtaining administrative information from the second node by generating and applying to the file system a second access request, the second request being for access to a logical unit to which access is controlled by the second node.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A digital data processor according to claim 5, wherein the file system transfers the second access request to the second node over the second communications pathway.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A digital data processor according to claim 5, wherein the second request is for access to a logical unit other than a file designated in the first access request.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 7, wherein the logical unit is a file that resides on a peripheral device local to the first node.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A digital data processor according to claim 8, wherein the request generated by the first bypass is a request to write and a file.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 7, comprising a second bypass, executing on the second node, for responding to the second access request by obtaining from the second node, and for at least temporarily retaining, a physical mapping for a file designated by the first access request.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 10, wherein the first bypass obtains the physical mapping for the file designated by the first access request by generating and applying to the file system a third access request for access, the third request designating the logical unit designated by the second access request.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
151 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 4, wherein A. the first bypass generates and applies to the file system a second access request, the second access request being a request for writing a logical unit an identifier of a file designated by the first access request, the logical unit being a file to which access is controlled by the second node but which is other than the file designated in the first access request, B. the second bypass responds to the second access request by reading the logical unit to determine the identifier, obtaining from the second node a physical mapping for a file designated by that identifier, and writing that physical mapping to the logical unit, and C. the first bypass generates and applies to the file system a third access request for access, the third request being a request for the physical mapping from the logical unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first bypass selectively limit transfers between the first node and the peripheral device over the third communications pathway.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 13, wherein the first bypass selectively limits such transfers to facilitate access to the peripheral device by a node other than the first node.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 14, wherein the bypass limits such transfers in accord with a predefined throttling limit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first communications pathway comprises any of a wide area network interconnect, local area network interconnect, internet interconnect, or other network interconnect.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the third communications pathway comprises any of a fibre channel, a firewire bus, a serial storage architecture (SSA) bus, high-speed Ethernet bus, high performance parallel interface (HPPI) bus, and other high-speed peripheral device bus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
232 words
A digital data processing system with improved file access, comprising A. first and second nodes coupled to one another over a first communications pathway, B. the second node being coupled to a peripheral device over a second communications pathway, C. the first node being coupled to the peripheral device over a third communications pathway, D. an applications program executing on the first node generating requests for access to files stored on the peripheral device, and for applying those requests to a file system, E. the file system, executing on the first and second nodes, being capable of responding to access requests generated by the first node, for (i) transferring data designated by file access requests between the first node and the peripheral device via the second node and via the first and second communications pathways, (ii) maintaining administrative information pertaining to physical mappings for files stored on the peripheral device, and F. a first bypass, executing on at least the first node and coupled to the file system, for transferring between the first node and the peripheral device over the third communications pathway data designated by at least selected file access requests, the first bypass transferring such data based on administrative information pertaining to physical mappings maintained by the file system, such transfers being in lieu transfer of that data via the second node and via the first and second communications pathways.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
232 words
A digital data processing system with improved file access, comprising A. first and second nodes coupled to one another over a first communications pathway, B. the second node being coupled to a peripheral device over a second communications pathway, C. the first node being coupled to the peripheral device over a third communications pathway, D. an applications program executing on the first node generating requests for access to files stored on the peripheral device, and for applying those requests to a file system, E. the file system, executing on the first and second nodes, being capable of responding to access requests generated by the first node, for (i) transferring data designated by file access requests between the first node and the peripheral device via the second node and via the first and second communications pathways, (ii) maintaining administrative information pertaining to physical mappings for files stored on the peripheral device, and F. a first bypass, executing on at least the first node and coupled to the file system, for transferring between the first node and the peripheral device over the third communications pathway data designated by at least selected file access requests, the first bypass transferring such data based on administrative information pertaining to physical mappings maintained by the file system, such transfers being in lieu transfer of that data via the second node and via the first and second communications pathways.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
66 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 18, wherein the first bypass initiates obtaining administrative information pertaining to physical mappings from the second node by generating and applying to the file system a second access request, the second request being directed to a file for which access is controlled by the second node and which is not a file designated in the first access request.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 19, wherein the second access request includes an identity of the file designated in the first access request.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 19, comprising a second bypass, executing on the second node, for responding to the second access request by obtaining from the second node, and for at least temporarily retaining, a physical mapping for a file designated by the first access request.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 21, wherein the first bypass obtains the physical mapping for the file designated by the first access request by generating and applying to the file system a third access request for access, the third request designating the logical unit designated by the second access request.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 22, wherein the third access request is directed to the same file as the second access request.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
151 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 19, wherein A. the first bypass generates and applies to the file system a second access request, the second access request being a request for writing a logical unit an identifier of a file designated by the first access request, the logical unit being a file to which access is controlled by the second node but which is other than the file designated in the first access request, B. the second bypass responds to the second access request by reading the logical unit to determine the identifier, obtaining from the second node a physical mapping for a file designated by that identifier, and writing that physical mapping to the logical unit, and C. the first bypass generates and applies to the file system a third access request for access, the third request being a request for the physical mapping from the logical unit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 24, wherein at least one of the first bypass stores in a data structure physical mappings for the file designated by the first access request.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
A digital data processing system according to claim 24, wherein the second bypass flushes any write cache for the file designated by the first access request in connection with obtaining physical mappings for that file from the second node.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
266 words
A scalable networked digital data processing system with improved access to information stored on a first peripheral device, comprising A. a plurality of networked nodes, including at least first and second server nodes, coupled to one another via a first communications pathway, B. the second server node being coupled to a first peripheral device over a second communications pathway, C. the first server node being coupled to the first peripheral device over a third communications pathway, D. each of the first and second server nodes being coupled to zero, one or more client nodes, E. a file system, executing on at least the first and second server nodes, being capable of responding to access requests generated by the first server node, for (i) transferring data designated by the request between the first server node and the first peripheral device via the second server node and via the first and second communications pathways, (ii) maintaining administrative information pertaining to storage of the data designated by the request on the first peripheral device, F. a first bypass, executing on at least the first server node, for interceding in response to at least a first selected access request applied thereby to the file system, by transferring data designated by that request between the first server node and the first peripheral device over the third communications pathway in accord with administrative information maintained by the file system pertaining to storage of that data on the peripheral storage device, such transfer being in lieu transfer of that data via the second server node and via the first and second communications pathways.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
266 words
A scalable networked digital data processing system with improved access to information stored on a first peripheral device, comprising A. a plurality of networked nodes, including at least first and second server nodes, coupled to one another via a first communications pathway, B. the second server node being coupled to a first peripheral device over a second communications pathway, C. the first server node being coupled to the first peripheral device over a third communications pathway, D. each of the first and second server nodes being coupled to zero, one or more client nodes, E. a file system, executing on at least the first and second server nodes, being capable of responding to access requests generated by the first server node, for (i) transferring data designated by the request between the first server node and the first peripheral device via the second server node and via the first and second communications pathways, (ii) maintaining administrative information pertaining to storage of the data designated by the request on the first peripheral device, F. a first bypass, executing on at least the first server node, for interceding in response to at least a first selected access request applied thereby to the file system, by transferring data designated by that request between the first server node and the first peripheral device over the third communications pathway in accord with administrative information maintained by the file system pertaining to storage of that data on the peripheral storage device, such transfer being in lieu transfer of that data via the second server node and via the first and second communications pathways.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
179 words
A scalable networked digital data processing system according to claim 27, further comprising A. a third server node coupled to at least the second server node via a fourth communications pathway, B. the file system, executing on at least the second and third server nodes, being capable of responding to access requests generated by the third server node, for (i) transferring data designated by the request between the third server node and the first peripheral device via the second server node and via the second and fourth communications pathways, (ii) maintaining administrative information pertaining to storage of the data designated by the request on the first peripheral device, C. a second bypass, executing on at least the third server node, for interceding in response to at least selected access requests applied thereby to the file system, by transferring data designated by that request between the third server node and the first peripheral device over the fifth communications pathway in accord with administrative information maintained by the file system pertaining to storage of that data on the peripheral storage device.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
222 words
A method for improved access to a peripheral device in a digital data processing system of the type having first and second nodes coupled to one another over a first communications pathway, the second node being coupled to a peripheral device over a second communications pathway, a file system, executing on the first and second nodes, being capable of responding to access requests generated by the first node, for (i) transferring data designated by the request between the first node and the peripheral device via the second node and via the first and second communications pathways, (ii) maintaining administrative information pertaining to storage of the data designated by the request on the peripheral device, the method comprising: A. coupling the first node to the peripheral device over a third communications pathway, and B. bypassing the file system, in part, in responding to at least a first selected access request applied by the first node to the file system, such bypassing including transferring data designated by that request between the first node and the peripheral device over the third communications pathway in accord with administrative information maintained by the file system pertaining to storage of that data on the peripheral storage device, such transfer being in lieu transfer of that data via the second node and via the first and second communications pathways.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
222 words
A method for improved access to a peripheral device in a digital data processing system of the type having first and second nodes coupled to one another over a first communications pathway, the second node being coupled to a peripheral device over a second communications pathway, a file system, executing on the first and second nodes, being capable of responding to access requests generated by the first node, for (i) transferring data designated by the request between the first node and the peripheral device via the second node and via the first and second communications pathways, (ii) maintaining administrative information pertaining to storage of the data designated by the request on the peripheral device, the method comprising: A. coupling the first node to the peripheral device over a third communications pathway, and B. bypassing the file system, in part, in responding to at least a first selected access request applied by the first node to the file system, such bypassing including transferring data designated by that request between the first node and the peripheral device over the third communications pathway in accord with administrative information maintained by the file system pertaining to storage of that data on the peripheral storage device, such transfer being in lieu transfer of that data via the second node and via the first and second communications pathways.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein the bypassing step obviates transfer via the second node and via the first and second communications pathways of data transferred between the first node and the peripheral device over the third communications pathway.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 29, wherein the bypassing step comprises transferring the designated data over the third communications pathway to physical storage locations on the peripheral device determined from the administrative information for that data maintained by the second node.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 31, wherein the bypassing step comprises at least initiating the obtaining of administrative information from the second node by generating and applying to the file system a second access request, the second request being for access to a logical unit to which access is controlled by the second node.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 32, wherein the second request is for access to a logical unit other than a file designated in the first access request.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 33, wherein the logical unit is a file that resides on a peripheral device local to the first node.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 34, wherein the request generated by the first bypass is a request to write a file.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 31, comprising responding to the second access request by obtaining from the second node, and at least temporarily retaining on any of the second node and the peripheral device, a physical mapping for a file designated by the first access request.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method according to claim 35, wherein the bypassing step comprises transferring, to the first node, the physical mapping for the file designated by the first access request by generating and applying to the file system a third access request for access, the third request designating the logical unit designated by the second access request.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
267 words
A method for improved access to a peripheral device in a scalable networked digital data processing system of the type having a plurality of networked nodes, including at least first and second server nodes, coupled to one another via a first communications pathway, the second server node being coupled to a first peripheral device over a second communications pathway, each of the first and second server nodes being coupled to zero, one or more client nodes, a file system, executing on at least the first and second server nodes, being capable of responding to access requests generated by the first server node, for (i) transferring data designated by the request between the first server node and the first peripheral device via the second server node and via the first and second communications pathways, (ii) maintaining administrative information pertaining to storage of the data designated by the request on the first peripheral device, the method comprising the steps of A. coupling the first server node to the first peripheral device over a third communications pathway, B. bypassing the file system, in part, in responding to at least a first selected access request applied by the first server node to the file system, such bypassing including transferring data designated by that request between the first server node and the peripheral device over the third communications pathway in accord with administrative information maintained by the file system pertaining to storage of that data on the peripheral storage device, such transfer being in lieu transfer of that data via the second server node and via the first and second communications pathways.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
267 words
A method for improved access to a peripheral device in a scalable networked digital data processing system of the type having a plurality of networked nodes, including at least first and second server nodes, coupled to one another via a first communications pathway, the second server node being coupled to a first peripheral device over a second communications pathway, each of the first and second server nodes being coupled to zero, one or more client nodes, a file system, executing on at least the first and second server nodes, being capable of responding to access requests generated by the first server node, for (i) transferring data designated by the request between the first server node and the first peripheral device via the second server node and via the first and second communications pathways, (ii) maintaining administrative information pertaining to storage of the data designated by the request on the first peripheral device, the method comprising the steps of A. coupling the first server node to the first peripheral device over a third communications pathway, B. bypassing the file system, in part, in responding to at least a first selected access request applied by the first server node to the file system, such bypassing including transferring data designated by that request between the first server node and the peripheral device over the third communications pathway in accord with administrative information maintained by the file system pertaining to storage of that data on the peripheral storage device, such transfer being in lieu transfer of that data via the second server node and via the first and second communications pathways.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
201 words
A method according to claim 38, further wherein the networked digital data processing is of the type having a third server node coupled to at least the second server node via a fourth communications pathway, a file system, executing on at least the second and third server nodes, being capable of responding to access requests generated by the third server node, for (i) transferring data designated by the request between the third server node and the first peripheral device via the second server node and via the second and fourth communications pathways, (ii) maintaining administrative information pertaining to storage of the data designated by the request on the first peripheral device, the method comprising A. coupling the third server node to the first peripheral device over a fifth communications pathway, B. bypassing the file system, in part, in responding to at least a first selected access request applied by the third server node to the file system, such bypassing including transferring data designated by that request between the third server node and the peripheral device over the fifth communications pathway in accord with administrative information maintained by the file system pertaining to storage of that data on the peripheral storage device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-06 | 2007-03-08 | 2007-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-06 | 2011-03-08 | 2011-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |