Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a network adapter is provided that may be used in a network data storage system to permit data exchange among data exchanging devices and a data storage system input/output (I/O) controller. The network adapter may include a control interface and a control logic section. The control interface may be coupled to the controller. The control logic section may receive from the controller, via the control interface, a command, and may transmit to the controller, via the control interface, information concerning the operation of the network adapter. The control logic section may access, based upon the command from the controller, memory that may contain the information and an executable command to be supplied to other logic in the network adapter. The control interface may be identical to control interfaces in other (i.e., different) types of adapters that may be controlled by the controller.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an adapter device is provided that may be used in a data storage system to permit data communication among host computer nodes external to the system and data storage system processors. The adapter device of this embodiment includes two or more network nodes configured to provide at least one network. The network may be used to interconnect the host computer nodes and the processors so as to permit the data communication among the host computer nodes and the processors. At least one of the network nodes is configurable so as to change the topology of the network. When the network's topology is changed in this manner, the nature of the data communication permitted by the network among at least certain of the processors and the host computer nodes is also changed.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an adapter device is provided that may be used in a data storage system to permit data communication among host computer nodes external to the system and data storage system processors. The adapter device of this embodiment includes two or more network nodes configured to provide at least one network. The network may be used to interconnect the host computer nodes and the processors so as to permit the data communication among the host computer nodes and the processors. At least one of the network nodes is configurable so as to change the topology of the network. When the network's topology is changed in this manner, the nature of the data communication permitted by the network among at least certain of the processors and the host computer nodes is also changed.