US6460113B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for performing backup operations using a fibre channel fabric in a multi-computer environment
Assignee: Dell Products LP
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Filing: 2000-01-25
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Granted: 2002-10-01
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Expires: 2020-01-25
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for shared storage in a computer networking environment are provided. The system includes a fabric and a server coupled to the fabric. The server is operable to be coupled to a computer network and receive data from the network. The system further includes a physical storage device coupled to the fabric. The physical storage device is operable to store data received from the network. The system further includes a bridge coupled to the fabric and a dedicated backup storage device coupled to the bridge. The dedicated backup storage device is operable to store data received from the physical storage device.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl D. Schubert
- 👤 Stephen G. Luning
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:04
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/14; G06F11/1446; G06F11/1456; G06F11/1458; G06F11/1464
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for shared storage in a computer networking environment, comprising: a fabric for interconnecting computing devices; a server coupled to the fabric, the server operable to be coupled to a computer network and receive data from the network; a physical storage device coupled to the fabric, the physical storage device operable to store data received from the network; a bridge coupled to the fabric; and a dedicated backup storage device coupled to the bridge and the computer network, the dedicated backup storage device operable to store data received from the physical storage device and enable access to the stored data from the computer network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for shared storage in a computer networking environment, comprising: a fabric for interconnecting computing devices; a server coupled to the fabric, the server operable to be coupled to a computer network and receive data from the network; a physical storage device coupled to the fabric, the physical storage device operable to store data received from the network; a bridge coupled to the fabric; and a dedicated backup storage device coupled to the bridge and the computer network, the dedicated backup storage device operable to store data received from the physical storage device and enable access to the stored data from the computer network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the physical storage device comprises: a storage controller coupled to the fabric; and a plurality of physical storage devices coupled to the storage controller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of physical storage devices comprise a plurality of hard disk drives.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the bridge comprises a SCSI/FC bridge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 4 , wherein the dedicated backup storage device comprises a computing device having removable storage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 5 , wherein the dedicated backup storage device comprises a DLT tape library.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises a Fibre Channel fabric.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the fabric comprises a Fibre Channel switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second server coupled to the fabric, the second server operable to be coupled to the network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second physical storage device coupled to the dedicated backup storage device, the second physical storage device operable to be coupled to the network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer network comprises a Local Area Network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer network comprises a Wide Area Network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the server, the fabric, and the physical storage device comprises a storage area network.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for shared storage in a computer networking environment, comprising: a Fibre Channel switch; a server coupled to the Fibre Channel switch, the server operable to be coupled to a computer network and receive data from the network; a physical storage device coupled to the Fibre Channel switch, the physical storage device operable to store data received from the network; a SCSI/FC bridge coupled to the fabric; and a DLT tape library coupled to the SCSI/FC bridge and the computer network, the DLT tape library operable to store data received from the physical storage device and directly communicate data to at least one client coupled to the computer network.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for shared storage in a computer networking environment, comprising: a Fibre Channel switch; a server coupled to the Fibre Channel switch, the server operable to be coupled to a computer network and receive data from the network; a physical storage device coupled to the Fibre Channel switch, the physical storage device operable to store data received from the network; a SCSI/FC bridge coupled to the fabric; and a DLT tape library coupled to the SCSI/FC bridge and the computer network, the DLT tape library operable to store data received from the physical storage device and directly communicate data to at least one client coupled to the computer network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein the physical storage device comprises: a storage controller coupled to the fabric; and a plurality of physical storage devices coupled to the storage controller.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of physical storage devices comprise a plurality of hard disk drives.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 14 , further comprising a second server coupled to the Fibre Channel switch, the second server operable to be coupled to the network.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 14 , further comprising a second physical storage device coupled to the dedicated backup storage device, the second physical storage device operable to be coupled to the network.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
82 words
A system for shared storage in a computer networking environment, comprising: a storage area network operable to be coupled to a computer network and receive data from the network; a bridge coupled to the storage area network; a dedicated backup storage device coupled to the bridge, the dedicated backup storage device operable to store data received from the storage area network; and the dedicated backup storage device separately coupled to the computer network and further operable to communicate with the computer network.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
82 words
A system for shared storage in a computer networking environment, comprising: a storage area network operable to be coupled to a computer network and receive data from the network; a bridge coupled to the storage area network; a dedicated backup storage device coupled to the bridge, the dedicated backup storage device operable to store data received from the storage area network; and the dedicated backup storage device separately coupled to the computer network and further operable to communicate with the computer network.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the storage area network comprises: a server; a Fibre Channel switch coupled to the server; a storage controller coupled to the Fibre Channel switch; and a plurality of hard disk drives coupled to the storage controller.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 20 , wherein the bridge comprises a SCSI/FC bridge.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 21 , wherein the dedicated backup storage device comprises a DLT tape library.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for sharing storage in a computer networking environment, comprising: receiving data from a computer network; storing the data on a storage area network, the storage area network coupled to the computer network, the storage area network having a fabric separate from the computer network; performing backup operations for the network by transferring the data through the fabric from the storage area network to a dedicated backup storage device; and coupling the dedicated backup storage device to the computer network such that the dedicated backup storage device can send data to and receive data directly from the computer network.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for sharing storage in a computer networking environment, comprising: receiving data from a computer network; storing the data on a storage area network, the storage area network coupled to the computer network, the storage area network having a fabric separate from the computer network; performing backup operations for the network by transferring the data through the fabric from the storage area network to a dedicated backup storage device; and coupling the dedicated backup storage device to the computer network such that the dedicated backup storage device can send data to and receive data directly from the computer network.
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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) | 2005-09-30 | 2006-04-01 | 2006-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-04-01 | 2010-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-30 | 2014-04-01 | 2014-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |