Abstract: A computer system and storage management method for routing data between peer-level storage units. The computer system includes a first storage unit (e.g., disk drive) and an intelligent controller connected to a storage area network. The intelligent controller is also connected to a second storage unit (e.g., tape drive). The computer system further includes a host (server and/or workstation) having an application module for generating and transmitting a command to the intelligent controller by way of the storage area network or a system network. In response to the transmitted command, the intelligent controller routes data between the first storage unit and the second storage unit using the storage area network while bypassing the host.

Abstract: A network provides a method of virtualizing SCSI semantics onto a non-SCSI transport medium. The network includes a plurality of hosts or initiators, a SCSI bus coupled to a plurality of SCSI devices, and a bridge having a non-SCSI front end coupled to the non-SCSI transport medium and a SCSI back end coupled to the SCSI bus. The bridge provides firmware for performing various techniques for virtualizing certain SCSI semantics to ensure support (proper operation) of the plurality of SCSI devices. Examples of SCSI semantics for virtualizing SCSI-2 semantics onto a Fibre Channel interconnect medium (a non-SCSI-2 transport medium) include reserve/release support, unit attention support, the non-tagged command processing support for the initiators. Reserve/release support is virtualized by implementing virtual command responses to the RESERVE and RELEASE SCSI-2 command using a table for storing Fibre Channel world wide names (WWN) and the arbitrated loop address (ALPA) for the plurality of initiators.

Abstract: An method and apparatus for determining and selecting configuration options and settings of circuit boards used in a computer system. The options and settings are placed in a file according to a given format, at which time the system determines if non-conflicting use of the common system resources is possible. The method and apparatus also provide for definable linking resources which further define relationships between various boards within a computer system and the allocation of common computer resources to the circuit boards. The method also decreases the time required for the computer to resolve linking resource and common computer resource allocation conflicts by processing only those resource requirements required to resolve the conflict.

Abstract: A method for determining and selecting configuration options and settings of circuit boards used in a computer system is disclosed. The options and settings are placed in a file according to a given format, at which time the system determines if non-conflicting use of the common system resources is possible. If so, these option and setting parameters are used to configure the circuit boards. The method also provides for creation of a minimal information file to permit configuration of circuit boards not supplied with configuration file information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and selecting configuration options and settings of circuit boards used in a computer system is disclosed. The options and settings are placed in a file according to a given format, at which time the system determines if non-conflicting use of the common system resources is possible. If so, these option and setting parameters are used to configure the circuit boards.

Abstract: A computerized system for dynamically and automatically configuring circuit boards to carry out functions from various manufacturers and a computer system without the user intervention. A single computer system may include, for example, a modem board, a video board, a disk controller board, and a multiple function board, each circuit board from a different manufacturer and each circuit board requires a computer resources for operation. These resources may include interrupt request (IRQ) lines, direct memory access (DMA) channels, I/O port addresses, memory address ranges and circuit board slot locations. The computerized system determines the type of slot required for each circuit board to be inserted in the computer by reading the circuit board configuration file for each board. The system will assign a circuit board to an available slot locations of the required type.

Abstract: A posted-write queuing program for writing information sectors to disk sectors includes error-handling routines to minimize the risk of data loss upon specified types of errors. Upon timeouts, queuing is suspended and all information sectors pending in the queue are written out to the corresponding disk sectors. Upon specified types of write errors, queuing is discontinued and repeated attempts are made to write out all information sectors to the corresponding disk sectors. For each unsuccessful attempt, the corresponding information sector is saved in the queue; the user is alerted, and subsequent read or write requests directed to the corresponding disk sector is serviced from the saved information sector in the queue.