US6446141B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Storage server system including ranking of data source
Assignee: Dell Products LP
•
Filing: 1999-03-25
•
Granted: 2002-09-03
•
Expires: 2019-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A storage server comprising: a processing unit, a bus system coupled with the processing unit, including a plurality of slots, slots in the plurality of slots including interfaces to respective data stores; a communication interface; and an operating system coupled with the processing unit the operating system including: logic controlling transfers among the plurality of slots over the bus system according to an internal format, logic for translating a storage transaction received over the communication interface into the internal format, and logic for configuring the plurality of slots according to a configuration data.
Inventors
- 👤 Shari J. Nolan
- 👤 Jeffery S. Nespor
- 👤 George W. Harris, Jr.
- 👤 Jerry Parker Lane
- 👤 Alan R. Merrell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:50
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/04; H04L63/0428; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/06; G06F3/0601; G06F3/0602; G06F3/0604; G06F3/0605; G06F3/0628; G06F3/0655; G06F3/0661; G06F3/0668; G06F3/0671; G06F3/0683
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 81
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A storage server comprising: a processing unit, a bus system coupled with the processing unit, including a plurality of slots, slots in the plurality of slots including interfaces to respective data stores; a communication interface; and an operating system coupled with the processing unit, the operating system including: logic controlling transfers among the plurality of slots over the bus system according to an internal format, logic for translating a storage transaction received over the communication interface into the internal format; logic for configuring the plurality of slots according to configuration data; logic to monitor the performance and condition of the storage server; wherein the configuration data includes a table mapping virtual circuits to respective interfaces to data stores; and wherein the logic to monitor the performance and condition of the storage server includes logic to rank a data source according to the performance of the data source and to mirror data from data sources performing below a threshold to a data source performing above the threshold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A storage server comprising: a processing unit, a bus system coupled with the processing unit, including a plurality of slots, slots in the plurality of slots including interfaces to respective data stores; a communication interface; and an operating system coupled with the processing unit, the operating system including: logic controlling transfers among the plurality of slots over the bus system according to an internal format, logic for translating a storage transaction received over the communication interface into the internal format; logic for configuring the plurality of slots according to configuration data; logic to monitor the performance and condition of the storage server; wherein the configuration data includes a table mapping virtual circuits to respective interfaces to data stores; and wherein the logic to monitor the performance and condition of the storage server includes logic to rank a data source according to the performance of the data source and to mirror data from data sources performing below a threshold to a data source performing above the threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface comprises an interface to fibre optic medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The storage server of claim 2 , wherein the communication interface includes a driver compliant with a fibre channel arbitrated loop.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface further includes a driver compliant with a standard “small computer system interface version 3” (SCSI-3 ) driver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface includes a driver compliant with an Ethernet interface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The storage server of claim 5 , wherein the communication interface supports a driver compliant with an Internet protocol (IP).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is comprised of a plurality of processing units.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the bus system comprises a plurality of interconnected computer buses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The storage server of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of interconnected computer buses are compliant with standard “peripheral component interconnect” (PCI) buses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface comprises a network interface card coupled to one of the plurality of slots.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface is coupled to the bus system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the interfaces to data stores includes a nonvolatile storage interface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The storage server of claim 12 , wherein the nonvolatile storage interface comprises a flash memory interface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the interfaces to data stores includes an interface to a host bridge controller.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The storage server of claim 14 , wherein the interface to the host bridge controller comprises an interface to a second system bus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The storage server of claim 14 , wherein the interface to the host bridge controller includes a bridge to a second communication interface, the second communication interface comprises an interface to a fibre optic medium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The storage sever of claim 14 , wherein the interface to the host bridge controller includes a bridge for connection to a second storage server.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the interfaces to data stores includes an interface to a random access memory (RAM).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the interfaces to data stores includes a cache memory interface, and further includes cache memory coupled to the cache memory interface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the interfaces to data stores includes a controller for at least one disk drive.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The storage server of claim 20 , wherein the controller supports an array of disk drives.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The storage server of claim 20 , wherein the controller supports a redundant array of disk drives.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The storage server of claim 20 , wherein the controller includes drivers compliant with standard “redundant arrays of independent disks” (RAID) protocol.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The storage server of claim 20 , wherein the at least one disk drive is coupled to the controller by a fibre optic medium.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the logic for translating a storage transaction received over the communication interface into an internal format includes logic for translating a SCSI-3 instruction and data into an internal format.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the configuration data includes data mapping SCSI-3 logical unit numbers (LUNs) to respective virtual circuits.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the configuration data includes a table mapping virtual circuits to respective interfaces to data stores.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the logic to monitor performance and condition of the storage server includes logic to handle a data source failure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the logic to monitor the performance and condition of the storage server includes logic to handle a communication interface failure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the logic to monitor the performance and condition of the storage server includes logic to handle a processing unit failure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the logic to monitor the performance and condition of the storage server includes logic to handle a bus system failure.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the logic to monitor the performance and condition of the storage server includes logic to map storage transactions to data sources based on the condition of the data source.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The storage server of claim 1 , wherein the logic to monitor the performance and condition of the storage server includes logic to report errors.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The storage server of claim 1 , including a user interface supporting input of configuration data.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The storage server of claim 34 , wherein the user interface comprises a graphical user interface.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The storage server of claim 34 , wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen coupled to the storage server.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
102 words
A storage server comprising: a communication interface, the communication interface supporting a storage transaction communication channel; a logic for translating a storage transaction received over the storage transaction channel to an internal format; a logic for routing the storage transaction in the internal format to a virtual circuit, the virtual circuit managing connections to respective data stores in communication with the storage server; wherein resources controlled by the processor include processes to mirror storage transactions across plural virtual or physical storage devices; and wherein the managing connections to respective data stores include changing mapping of extents of storage for the virtual circuit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
102 words
A storage server comprising: a communication interface, the communication interface supporting a storage transaction communication channel; a logic for translating a storage transaction received over the storage transaction channel to an internal format; a logic for routing the storage transaction in the internal format to a virtual circuit, the virtual circuit managing connections to respective data stores in communication with the storage server; wherein resources controlled by the processor include processes to mirror storage transactions across plural virtual or physical storage devices; and wherein the managing connections to respective data stores include changing mapping of extents of storage for the virtual circuit.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
The storage server of claim 37 , wherein virtual circuit comprises logic for translating the internal format to one or more communication protocols for a corresponding one or more data stores.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
The storage server of claim 38 , wherein the respective communication protocols for corresponding respective data sources include a protocol compliant with a standard “intelligent input/output” (I 2 O) message format.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
The storage server of claim 38 , wherein the respective communication protocols for corresponding respective data sources include a protocol compliant with a standard I 2 O block storage architecture (BSA) format.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
The storage server of claim 38 , wherein the respective communication protocols for corresponding respective data sources include a protocol compliant with a standard I 2 O SCSI format.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
The storage server of claim 38 , wherein the respective communication protocols for corresponding respective data sources include a protocol compliant with a standard I 2 O format.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The storage server of claim 37 , wherein the communication interface comprises an interface to a fibre channel arbitrated loop.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
The storage server of claim 37 , wherein the storage transaction communication channel comprises a channel compliant with a standard “small computer system interface version 3” (SCSI-3) communication channel.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
The storage server of claim 37 , wherein the internal format comprises a protocol compliant with a standard I 2 O message format.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
49 words
The storage server of claim 37 , wherein the logic for routing storage transactions to a virtual circuit includes a table, the table having a plurality of entries, the plurality of entries indicating a correspondence between an address extent specified in the storage communication channel and a virtual circuit.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
43 words
The storage server of claim 37 , wherein the logic for routing storage transactions to a virtual device includes a table, the table having a plurality of entries, the plurality of entries indicating a correspondence between a virtual circuit and respective data sources.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The storage server of claim 37 , including a cache, and wherein a virtual circuit communicates with the cache.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The storage server of claim 37 , including a hard disk, and wherein a virtual circuit communicates with the hard disk.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
The storage server of claim 37 , wherein respective data stores include a nonvolatile memory.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
The storage server of claim 37 , wherein respective data stores include an array of hard disks.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
The storage server of claim 37 , including a user interface supporting input of configuration data.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
16 words
The storage server of claim 52 , wherein the user interface comprises a graphical user interface.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
The storage server of claim 52 , wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen coupled to the storage server.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
124 words
A storage router comprising: a first communication interface; a plurality of other communication interfaces; a processing unit; a bus system coupled with the processing unit, the first communication interface, and the plurality of other communication interfaces; an operating system coupled with the processing unit, the operating system including logic for routing a storage transaction received over the first communication interface to respective other communication interfaces according to configuration data; wherein the configuration data includes a table mapping virtual circuits to respective interfaces to data stores; and wherein the operating system includes logic to rank a data source according to the performance of the data source and to mirror data from data sources performing below a threshold to a data source performing above the threshold.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
124 words
A storage router comprising: a first communication interface; a plurality of other communication interfaces; a processing unit; a bus system coupled with the processing unit, the first communication interface, and the plurality of other communication interfaces; an operating system coupled with the processing unit, the operating system including logic for routing a storage transaction received over the first communication interface to respective other communication interfaces according to configuration data; wherein the configuration data includes a table mapping virtual circuits to respective interfaces to data stores; and wherein the operating system includes logic to rank a data source according to the performance of the data source and to mirror data from data sources performing below a threshold to a data source performing above the threshold.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
20 words
The storage router of claim 55 , wherein the first communication interface comprises an interface to a fibre channel medium.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
18 words
The storage router of claim 55 , wherein the first communication interface further includes the standard SCSI-3 driver.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
The storage router of claim 55 , wherein the plurality of other communication interfaces includes an interface to a fibre channel medium.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
22 words
The storage router of claim 55 , wherein the plurality of other communication interfaces include an interface to a fibre channel medium.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
20 words
The storage router of claim 55 , wherein the plurality of other communication interfaces further include the standard SCSI-3 driver.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
41 words
The storage router of claim 55 , wherein the configuration data includes a table, the table having a plurality of entries, the plurality of entries indicating a correspondence between an address extent specified in the storage transaction and a virtual circuit.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
52 words
The storage router of claim 55 , wherein the configuration data includes a table, the table having a plurality of entries, the plurality of entries indicating a correspondence between a virtual circuit and one or more drivers for controlling one or more data stores coupled to the plurality of other communication interfaces.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
16 words
The storage router of claim 55 , including a user interface supporting input of configuration data.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
16 words
The storage server of claim 63 , wherein the user interface comprises a graphical user interface.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
20 words
The storage server of claim 63 , wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen coupled to the storage server.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
170 words
A server for a storage network including at least one client system which produces requests for storage transactions, a client communication channel to and from the client system, a plurality of storage devices, and respective communication channels to and from the storage devices in the plurality, comprising: a processor, including a bus system; a client interface to the client communication channel coupled to the bus system; a plurality of interfaces to the respective communication channels coupled to the bus system; a non-volatile cache memory coupled to the bus system; resources controlled by the processor to receive requests for storage transactions on the server interface, to direct the requested storage transactions to the plurality of storage devices and to allocate the non-volatile cache memory for uses in the storage transactions; wherein resources controlled by the processor include processes to mirror storage transactions across plural virtual or physical storage devices; and wherein the resources controlled by the processor include processes to change the mapping of extents of storage for the virtual device.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
170 words
A server for a storage network including at least one client system which produces requests for storage transactions, a client communication channel to and from the client system, a plurality of storage devices, and respective communication channels to and from the storage devices in the plurality, comprising: a processor, including a bus system; a client interface to the client communication channel coupled to the bus system; a plurality of interfaces to the respective communication channels coupled to the bus system; a non-volatile cache memory coupled to the bus system; resources controlled by the processor to receive requests for storage transactions on the server interface, to direct the requested storage transactions to the plurality of storage devices and to allocate the non-volatile cache memory for uses in the storage transactions; wherein resources controlled by the processor include processes to mirror storage transactions across plural virtual or physical storage devices; and wherein the resources controlled by the processor include processes to change the mapping of extents of storage for the virtual device.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
24 words
The server of claim 66 , wherein the resources controlled by the processor include processes to authenticate and verify access permissions for storage transactions.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
34 words
The server of claim 66 , wherein the resources controlled by the processor include processes to map the requested storage transactions to virtual storage devices, and from virtual storage devices to physical storage devices.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
41 words
The server of claim 66 , wherein the resources controlled by the processor include logic to configure virtual storage devices having logical addresses mapping to extents of storage in one or more physical storage devices in the plurality of storage devices.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
24 words
The server of claim 66 , including a user interface by which configuration data is supplied to the processor for use by said logic.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
43 words
The server of claim 66 , wherein the resources controlled by the processor include processes coupled with the client interface which emulate a physical storage device in response to requests for storage transactions according to a protocol identifying a target physical storage device.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
56 words
The server of claim 66 , wherein the resources controlled by the processor include logic to configure a virtual storage device mapping to extent of storage in one or more physical storage devices in the plurality of storage devices to support the requests for storage transactions according to the protocol identifying the target physical storage device.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
57 words
The server of claim 66 , wherein the resources controlled by the processor include logic to configure a virtual storage device mapping to extents of storage in one or more physical storage devices in the plurality of storage devices to support the requests for storage transactions according to the protocol identifying the initiating device and the storage.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
17 words
The server of claim 66 , wherein the protocol comprise a protocol compliant with a SCSI standard.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
17 words
The server of claim 66 , wherein the protocol comprise a protocol compliant with a FCP standard.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
17 words
The server of claim 72 , wherein the protocol comprise a protocol compliant with a SCSI standard.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
17 words
The server of claim 72 , wherein the protocol comprise a protocol compliant with a FCP standard.
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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) | 2005-09-02 | 2006-03-04 | 2006-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-02 | 2010-03-04 | 2010-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-02 | 2014-03-04 | 2014-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |