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US6009478A
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File array communications interface for communicating between a host computer and an adapter
Assignee: Microsemi Storage Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1997-11-04
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Granted: 1999-12-28
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Expires: 2017-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A file array communications transport system transports unique packets between a host computer and an adapter of a data processing platform in accordance with a file array protocol. The protocol is manifested as an exchange of these unique packets and the file array transport comprises an arrangement of logic circuits and data structures needed to exchange these packets over a tightly-coupled, low latency interface of a file array storage architecture.
Inventors
- 👤 Bryan K. Panner
- 👤 Timothy Lee Hoskins
- 👤 Richard Napolitano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:35
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/382; G06F13/387; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for communicating between a host computer and an adapter of a data processing platform over an interface, the apparatus comprising: communication regions in host memory of the host computer that are shared by the adapter and host computer, the communication regions comprising at least one placeholder for communicating an input/output (I/O) operation; and a file array information block (FIB) referenced by the placeholder, the FIB containing information needed to execute the I/O operation between the host computer and the adapter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for communicating between a host computer and an adapter of a data processing platform over an interface, the apparatus comprising: communication regions in host memory of the host computer that are shared by the adapter and host computer, the communication regions comprising at least one placeholder for communicating an input/output (I/O) operation; and a file array information block (FIB) referenced by the placeholder, the FIB containing information needed to execute the I/O operation between the host computer and the adapter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communication regions comprise host memory locations organized as independent command and response queues.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a doorbell register for generating a unique interrupt to notify one of the host computer and adapter that there is a change in state of the placeholder in a queue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the placeholder is a queue entry.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the queue entry comprises a size field and a pointer field.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein contents of the size field specify a size of the referenced FIB and wherein contents of the pointer field specify an address of the referenced FIB in host memory.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the FIB comprises a header and a command-specific body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the header comprises a xfstate field that identifies a communication nature of the FIB.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the header further comprises a command field containing routing information for the FIB.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the header further comprises a sender size field that specifies a maximum size of a command allocated by the host and transferred with the FIB.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the header further comprises a size field that specifies an actual size of the command transferred with the FIB.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the header further comprises a receiver address field that contains a logical address of the FIB in host memory.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the header further comprises a sender data field that is an additional placeholder for a sender to store data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the command-specific body comprises a command field that indicates a request specified by the FIB.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the command-specific body further comprises a protocol field that contains protocol-specific information associated with the request.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-27 | 2003-06-28 | 2003-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-27 | 2007-06-28 | 2007-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-27 | 2011-06-28 | 2011-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |