Path Selection Patents (Class 710/38)
  • Patent number: 8619555
    Abstract: Method and system for handling error events on a current path for processing an I/O request for reading information from and writing information to a storage space is provided. A system is able to communicate with the storage space via more than one path. If the current path reports an error event, then an alternate path quality is determined to ascertain whether the alternate path will generate an error similar to the current path. The alternate path quality is determined based on a plurality of factors which are assigned certain weights. The weights are determined based on a likely contribution of each factor to a repetition of the error reported by the current path. If the alternate path quality is equal to or exceeds a programmable threshold value, then the alternate path is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Netapp, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Dallas, Chris Busick
  • Patent number: 8621119
    Abstract: A host I/F unit has a management table for managing an MPPK which is in-charge of the control of input/output processing for a storage area of an LDEV, and if a host computer transmits an input/output request for the LDEV, the host I/F unit transfers the input/output request to the MPPK which is in-charge of the input/output processing for the LDEV based on the management table, an MP of the MPPK performs the input/output processing based on the input/output request, and the MP of the MPPK also judges whether the MPPK that is in-charge of the input/output processing for the LDEV is to be changed, and sets the management table so that an MPPK which is different from the MPPK that is in-charge is to be in-charge of the input/output processing for the LDEV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Serizawa, Yasutomo Yamamoto, Norio Shimozono, Akira Deguchi, Hisaharu Takeuchi, Takao Sato, Hisao Homma
  • Patent number: 8621167
    Abstract: A device for copying performance counter data includes hardware path that connects a direct memory access (DMA) unit to a plurality of hardware performance counters and a memory device. Software prepares an injection packet for the DMA unit to perform copying, while the software can perform other tasks. In one aspect, the software that prepares the injection packet runs on a processing core other than the core that gathers the hardware performance counter data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Gara, Valentina Salapura, Robert W. Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 8621121
    Abstract: An improved technique for processing IO requests has been described that distinguishes bogus IOs from genuine IO request failures by accessing a hardware configuration record that associates available paths with hardware components at different hardware layers traversed by the paths. When an IO request fails down a first path, a second path is selected for retrying the IO request by accessing the hardware configuration record and identifying a path that the record indicates traverses hardware components that are different from those traversed by the first path at multiple hardware layers. The chance that an IO request will fail due to faulty hardware over both the first path and the second path is thus low, such that IO failures down both the first path and the second path provide a clear indication that the IO request is bogus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Bappe, Vinay G. Rao, Ronald Chambers
  • Patent number: 8615616
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes techniques for scalable embedded memory programming. In some aspects data is received at a first communication interface from a host device, at least a portion of the data is stored to a memory device supported by a printed circuit board, and the data is transmitted to a target device via a second communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: William B. Weiser, Thomas G. Warner
  • Patent number: 8615615
    Abstract: A method and/or system may be configured to receive an input/output (I/O) request from an initiator system, add priority information to a multiple path referral for each port on which data can be accessed, selectively omit ports on which data may be accessed, transmit the multiple path referral from the target to the initiator, and/or choose a path on the initiator with the highest performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Spry, Ross E. Zwisler, Gerald J. Fredin, Kenneth J. Gibson
  • Patent number: 8612645
    Abstract: To appropriately manage configuration information acquired from a storage system for the purpose of performance management, etc., an information processing apparatus managing the configuration information, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Uchi, Hideo Ohata
  • Publication number: 20130332632
    Abstract: A holistic identification process can facilitate reliable interoperation between accessories and host devices, particularly where the accessory includes multiple components and/or multiple communication interfaces. During an identification process, the accessory can provide information about every communication interface it is capable of using to communicate with the host as well as information about various components that the accessory has available for use in interacting with the host device. During subsequent interoperation, the host device can use the identification information to determine a response to an input received from the accessory and/or to determine an interface to use to deliver information to the accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shailesh Rathi, Edwin Foo, Jason J. Yew, Gregg Golembeski
  • Patent number: 8606986
    Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting data across a high-speed serial bus includes an IEEE 802.3-compliant PHY having a GMII interface; an IEEE 1394-compliant PHY in communication with the IEEE 802.3-compliant PHY via a switch; the switch determining whether data transmission is be routed to the IEEE 802.3-compliant PHY or the IEEE 1394-compliant PHY; a first connection, the first connection for transmitting data between a device and the IEEE 802.3-compliant PHY; and a second connection, the second connection for transmitting data between a device and the IEEE 1394-compliant PHY.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Whitby-Strevens, Micheal D. Johas Teener
  • Patent number: 8607214
    Abstract: In a data processing system which runs a plurality of operating systems, a channel device can be shared by the plurality of operating systems. In addition, a channel device which supports port multiplexing can also be shared by a plurality of operating systems. The channel device includes a plurality of IDs each indicating that the channel device is a medium for performing input/output processing, and an input/output processing controller for assigning one operating system to each of the IDs, and controlling a data transfer independently for each ID to control a plurality of data transfers. Further, in a channel device which has a plurality of ports, an input/output processing controller is provided for assigning an operating system to each of the ports, and transferring data independently for each port to control the plurality of ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Toyohara, Tetsuhiro Goto, Megumu Hasegawa, Takeshi Shigeno
  • Patent number: 8605719
    Abstract: Source circuits (10) produce messages that may each be processed by any one of a plurality of processing circuits (14). A network of distributor circuits is provided between the source circuits and the processing circuits (14). Local decisions by the distributor circuits in the network decide for each message to which one of the processing circuits the message will be routed. Messages are supplied to at least two parallel distributor circuits. These distributor circuits (12a) select from further distributor circuits (12b) in the network on the basis of current availability of individual ones of the further distributor circuits (12b). The respective messages are in turn forwarded from the selected further distributor circuits (12b) to data processing circuits (14) along routes selected by the selected further distributor circuits (12b) on the basis of current availability of the data processing circuits (14) and/or subsequent distributor circuits (12c) in the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: ST-Ericsson SA
    Inventor: Cornelis H. Van Berkel
  • Publication number: 20130326095
    Abstract: In a computer system configured to handle I/O signals received by the computer system from input devices and/or output signals output by the computer system, a virtual attachment module includes logic for selecting such that program code for coupling can alter the operating system's selection of I/O devices used for particular I/O device operations, coupling to a wireless I/O device at least for determining whether the wireless I/O device is available, and causing redirection of I/O signals destined to a default I/O device to be to the wireless I/O device, if the program code for coupling determines that the wireless I/O device is available. A virtual connection module could be used to intercept system messages indicating a wireless device is present and connected, determine whether the wireless device is present and/or connected, and determine which intercepted messages to forward, drop, delay or reformulate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Atmel Wi-Fi Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Atmel Wi-Fi Solutions, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8601155
    Abstract: A computer-based method for improving the timely delivery of telemetry or other application-to-application data. A telemetry routing table is stored in memory that includes entries for a plurality of communication pathways for delivering a telemetry message from a telemetry application running on a first computer system to a telemetry reception application running on a second computer system. The table entries include a latency and a measured data delivery rate for transmittal of data over the corresponding pathway. The method includes generating a telemetry message having a particular data payload using the telemetry application and then selecting one of the communication pathways using the telemetry application based on a size of the data payload, the latencies, and the data delivery rates for the pathways (e.g., determining a total transit time for the payload for each pathway and selecting the pathway corresponding to the shortest transit time).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Toombs, Jon D. Greaves
  • Patent number: 8601180
    Abstract: A composite functional transmission line is used as a medium for transmitting data between a plurality of electronic devices, and the composite functional transmission line is capable of performing bi-directional data transmissions with the electronic devices directly, and the composite functional transmission line includes a substrate, a plurality of transmission units and an extension unit. Each of the transmission units has two electrical connection terminals, and one of the two electrical connection terminals is provided for connecting the electronic devices, and the other one of the two electrical connection terminals is connected to the substrate, and the extension unit is installed onto the substrate and coupled to the transmission units through the substrate, so that bi-directional data transmissions can be performed between the extension unit and the transmission units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Fluiditech IP Limited
    Inventor: Yung-Chiang Chu
  • Patent number: 8595388
    Abstract: One data processor is provided with an interface for realizing connection with the other data processor. This interface is provided with a function for connecting the other data processor as a bus master to an internal bus of the one data processor, and the relevant other data processor is capable of directly operating peripheral functions that are memory mapped to the internal bus from an external side via the interface. Accordingly, the data processor can utilize the peripheral functions of the other data processor without interruption of the program being executed. In short, one data processor can use in common the peripheral resources of the other data processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Nishimoto, Takuichiro Nakazawa, Koji Yamada, Toshihiro Hattori
  • Patent number: 8589598
    Abstract: A redundancy manager manages commands to peripheral devices in a computer system. These peripheral devices have multiple pathways connecting it to the computer system. The redundancy manager determines the number of independent pathways connected to the peripheral device, presents only one logical device to the operating system and any device driver and any other command or device processing logic in the command path before the redundancy manager. For each incoming command, the redundancy manager determines which pathways are properly functioning and selects the best pathway for the command based at least partly upon a penalty model where a path may be temporarily penalized by not including the pathway in the path selection process for a predetermined time. The redundancy manager further reroutes the command to an alternate path and resets the device for an alternate path that is not penalized or has otherwise failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Bauman, Brian L. Bowles, Anthony P. Vinski, Rick A. Weckwerth
  • Patent number: 8583840
    Abstract: Methods and structure are disclosed for improved processing of fast path I/O requests in a storage controller utilizing version information embedded in the fast path I/O requests. The version information allows the storage controller to determine if the mapping information utilized by the host system in generating a fast path I/O request specifies the mapping information utilized by the storage controller. The controller comprises a fast path I/O request processing circuit tightly coupled with host system drivers for fast processing of requests directed to storage devices of a logical volume. The controller also comprises a logical volume I/O processing software stack for processing I/O requests from a host system directed to a logical volume. If the mapping information utilized by the host does not match the mapping information utilized by the storage controller, fast path I/O requests are transferred to the I/O request processing stack for subsequent processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Rizzo, Robert L. Sheffield, Jr., Rajeev Srinivasa Murthy, Naveen Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 8583948
    Abstract: Techniques for determining a communication interface of a computer platform. In an embodiment, a power management unit of a computer platform provides to an agent of the platform an indication of a power state. In certain embodiments, the agent determines, based on the indication of the power state, that an interface is expected to be available. The agent may designate information for transmission via the first interface—e.g. in lieu of transmitting the information via a second interface which is available prior to the first interface becoming available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Lake, Michael N. Derr, Bhushan Vaidya, William Knolla, Yitschak Kapschitz, Reuven Rozic
  • Patent number: 8578059
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for deploying a configuration in a process control system wherein at least a portion of the configuration is deployed to a set of field devices. Initially the set of deployment packages are stored within a configuration storage. Thereafter, deployment is initiated on the set of deployment packages from the configuration storage. In response to the initiating deployment step, an automated cascaded deployment is commenced to the set of connected field devices. The automated cascaded deployment includes first deploying the sets of deployment packages to a set of control module assemblies. The method furthermore includes second deploying the received portions of the set of deployment packages to a set of I/O module assemblies. The set of I/O module assemblies maintain and pass the received sub-portions of the set of deployment packages to sets of field devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jayamani Odayappan, Johan Ingemar Tegnell, Charles Wilson Piper, Vladimir Dimitrov Kostadinov
  • Patent number: 8578073
    Abstract: The storage system includes a first storage subsystem having a first logical volume to be accessed by a host computer, and a second storage subsystem connected to the first storage subsystem and having a second logical volume to be mapped to the first logical volume. The first storage subsystem includes a memory having definition information for defining a plurality of logical paths that transfer, to the second logical volume, I/O from the host computer to the first logical volume, and a transfer mode of the I/O to the plurality of logical paths. At least two or more logical paths among the plurality of logical paths are defined as active, and the controller transfers the I/O to the at least two or more logical paths set as active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Watanabe, Tamura Keishi
  • Patent number: 8570241
    Abstract: An image display apparatus which controls an external device transmitting data using a USB connector is provided. The image display apparatus includes a first connector and a second connector which receive an image signal, respectively, a display unit which selectively displays the image signal input via the first connector and the second connector, and if the image signal input via the first connector is displayed on the display unit, a central processing unit (CPU) which stops an external device connected via the second connector from transmitting an image signal. Accordingly, resources in the external device can be efficiently managed by stopping unnecessary operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang-ik Choi
  • Patent number: 8572298
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a predefined logic area including a microprocessor coupled to a plurality of peripheral devices including an external bus interface over a system bus. A customizable logic area is accessible by the microprocessor over the system bus. A first I/O bus sends data to an external device. A second I/O bus receives data from an external device. A first set of multiplexers in the predefined logic area have first inputs coupled to an output of the external bus interface, second inputs coupled to the customizable logic area, and an output coupled to a first I/O bus. A second set of multiplexers in the predefined logic area have first inputs coupled to the customizable logic area, second inputs coupled to the second I/O bus, and an output coupled to an input of the external bus interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Alain Vergnes, Raphael Robert
  • Publication number: 20130282935
    Abstract: A computer system includes a server using a virtual volume (virtual logical volume) shared by a plurality of storage apparatuses. A management system managing the computer system accepts a selection of a first storage apparatus to be a determination target from among the storage apparatuses, performs a first determination of whether a first access path including the first storage apparatus exists or not. If the first access path exists, the management system performs a second determination of whether or not the first access path is an active access path used by the server for accessing the storage area (the storage area of the storage apparatus) assigned to a part of the virtual volume used by the server, and determines whether the first storage apparatus can be stopped or not on the basis of a result of the first determination or a result of the second determination. The access path is a path from the server to one of the storage apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuki Miyamoto, Katsutoshi Asaki
  • Publication number: 20130275632
    Abstract: An exemplary key detection circuit is provided. The key detection circuit includes a number of key pins, a number of switches, and a number of general purpose input/output (GPIO) interfaces. The switches include a first group of switches and a second group of switches. Each one of the first group of switches is connected to one of the key pins, and each one of the second group of switches is connected to two key pins. Each GPIO interface corresponds to one key pin, one GPIO interface is set to receive input voltages which alternate between a high level and a low level, the other GPIO interfaces are set to receive a fixed level voltage input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Lu-Qing MENG, Hsing-Suang KAO, Chun-Lung HUNG
  • Publication number: 20130268693
    Abstract: A method for a multiple port host to communicate with multiple tape drives is provided by requesting information associated with a particular tape. Information is provided that is indicative of availability status of a plurality of host ports. It is determined if there is a traffic load or a reservation load on an active host port. The active host port is reserved if there is not a traffic load or a reservation load on the active host port. Another method receives input indicative of read/write information from at least one tape drive at a host bus adapter. A host port count is increased, and a size of the read/write information is increased until the read/write information is not accepted by the host bus adapter. The host port count is decreased, and the size of the read/write information is decreased until the read/write information is accepted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Baker, Miaohui Zhang, Xiao Li
  • Patent number: 8554979
    Abstract: A protocol controller disposed between switches in a fiber channel fabric switch circuit and disk drive units for converting a protocol to enable one-to-one connectivity established between controllers and disk drive units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Aruga
  • Patent number: 8543762
    Abstract: The computer system of the present invention has a plurality of SAS target devices, an SAS initiator device, and a service delivery subsystem that is connected to each SAS target device by means of a physical link that is physical wiring and connected to the SAS initiator device by means of a wide link constituted by a plurality of physical links. The SAS initiator device controls how many physical links in the wide link are allocated to a particular SAS target device, whereby access from the SAS initiator device to the SAS target device is made via a physical link that is allocated to the SAS target device and is not made via a physical link that is not allocated to the SAS target device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Nakajima, Ikuya Yagisawa
  • Patent number: 8527673
    Abstract: In a virtualized computer system in which a guest operating system runs on a virtual machine of a virtualized computer system, a computer-implemented method of providing the guest operating system with direct access to a hardware device coupled to the virtualized computer system via a communication interface, the method including: (a) obtaining first configuration register information corresponding to the hardware device, the hardware device connected to the virtualized computer system via the communication interface; (b) creating a passthrough device by copying at least part of the first configuration register information to generate second configuration register information corresponding to the passthrough device; and (c) enabling the guest operating system to directly access the hardware device corresponding to the passthrough device by providing access to the second configuration register information of the passthrough device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: VMware, Inc.
    Inventors: Mallik Mahalingam, Michael Nelson
  • Patent number: 8527675
    Abstract: System and method for implementing a secure processor data bus are described. One embodiment is a circuit comprising a processor disposed in a processor partition, the circuit further comprising a first set of peripherals disposed in a first peripheral partition; a second set of peripherals disposed in a second peripheral partition physically isolated from the first peripheral partition; a first state control register for controlling access to the first set of peripherals by the processor; and a second state control register for controlling access to the second set of peripherals by the processor. When the first and second state control registers are in a first mode of operation, the processor has read and write access to the first set of peripherals and write only access to the second set of peripherals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Allen M. Schwartz, Andrew L. Martin
  • Patent number: 8527681
    Abstract: A data processing system may include a first data path and a second data path. A set of components may include a system component and a partner component, each having a communication interface for communicating data. The components are operable in a synchronized mode and a non-synchronized mode with respect to each other. The set may further include a configuration control system connected to the system component and the partner component, for controlling the set to be in a synchronized mode configuration or a non-synchronized mode configuration. The configuration control system may include a first path selector module connecting the communication interface of the system component to the first data path and the second data path and a partner path selector module connecting the communication interface of the partner component to the first data path and the second data path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Florian Bogenberger, Joachim Kruecken, Christopher Temple
  • Patent number: 8526042
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an execution determination unit and a control unit. The execution determination unit determines whether a series of processes including multiple processes is executable at an execution time of the series of processes. The control unit selectively provides at least one recovery device for substituting for the series of processes when it is determined that the series of processes is not executable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoki Watariuchi
  • Patent number: 8527678
    Abstract: The present invention provides an intelligent, modular multimedia computer management system for coupling a series of remote computers to one or more user workstations to allow each user workstation to selectively access and control one or more remote computers. The computer management system incorporates a centralized switching system that receives keyboard, cursor control device, audio, and auxiliary peripheral device signals from the user workstation and transmits and applies the signals to the remote computer in the same manner as if the keyboard, cursor control device, audio input source, or auxiliary peripheral device of the user workstation were directly coupled to the remote computer. Also, the user workstation receives audio signals and auxiliary peripheral device signals from the remote computer. In addition, the multimedia computer management system transmits video signals from the remote computer over an extended range for display on the video monitor of the user workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: RIIP, Inc.
    Inventors: Yee Liaw, Lech Glinski
  • Patent number: 8527674
    Abstract: Embodiments related to switching of data packets have been described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Lantiq Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Eder, Friedrich Geissler, Chia-Sheng Lu
  • Patent number: 8521922
    Abstract: Various embodiments for an Input/Output (I/O) path selection based on workload types are provided. A port workload controller is adapted to control the workload types of ports for accessing a storage device. A storage access command is received by the port workload controller from an application being executed on a virtual server on a physical server. The workload types related to the storage access command are determined. Storage access paths between the application and the storage device having the same workload types as the determined workload types related to the storage access command are determined. Storage access paths mapping data that is controlled by the port workload controller is used. A selected storage access path is selected out of the determined storage access paths having the least utilization. The storage device is accessed via the selected one of the plurality of storage access paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nils Haustein, Thorsten Krause, Ulf Troppens
  • Patent number: 8521916
    Abstract: A connection scheme for connection from a host or the like to multiple storage devices via an optical link, and in particular to an optical connection scheme or an optical wiring scheme for realizing multiplexing/redundancy by utilizing branches of an optical link and the unidirectionality of the optical link. When a host or the like and multiple storage devices such as memories are optically connected via two or more optical couplers, a configuration is made in which a loop is provided between the two optical couplers by utilizing branches of the optical couplers and the unidirectionality of light. Accordingly, a configuration is adopted in which an IO controller makes a selection from among multiple operation modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Munetoh
  • Patent number: 8516162
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a connector, a graphics controller, a port setting module, a selector and a selector controller. The port setting module sets a first port used to output a video signal generated by the graphics controller as a data transmission port compliant with a first interface standard, and sets a second port used to output the video signal as a data transmission port compliant with a second interface standard. The selector connects one of the first port and the second port to the connector. The selector controller supplies a first signal to the selector in order to connect the first port to the connector when a first external unit is connected to the connector, and supplies a second signal to the selector in order to connect the second port to the connector when a second external unit is connected to the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroaki Chiba
  • Publication number: 20130205050
    Abstract: A computer program product includes a tangible storage storing instructions for performing a method. The method includes receiving a request at a channel subsystem in a host computer system from an operating system in the host computer system to provide a channel path description for a channel path, the channel subsystem configured to direct information flow between memory and the control unit via the channel path; and outputting from the channel subsystem to the operating system, a channel path description block including the channel path description for the channel path in response to the request. The channel path description block includes: a descriptor field (DESC) indicating that the channel path supports a Fibre Channel protocol for commanding an I/O operation; and an extension support indicator field (F) specifying whether the channel path supports an extension to the Fibre Channel protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8495255
    Abstract: A computer program product is provided for performing a method comprising: receiving, by the host processor, physical configuration information including identification of a location of each physical endpoint connected to the host processor and a plurality of communication paths associated with each physical endpoint; sending at least one message to each physical endpoint on each of the plurality of communication paths in response to receiving the physical configuration information, the at least one message requesting identification of a logical entity at the endpoint, and receiving logical configuration information identifying the logical entity; and generating a data collection accessible by the host processor, the data collection including the physical configuration information and the logical configuration information for each logical entity, and identification of a location of each physical endpoint connected to the host processor and a plurality of communication paths to each logical entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tracy D. Butler, Scott B. Compton, Patricia G. Driever, Ilene A. Goldman, Craig D. Norberg, Dale F. Riedy, Matthew H. Sabins, Michael J. Shannon, Harry M. Yudenfriend
  • Publication number: 20130185467
    Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method of managing data paths between a computer application and a storage device. The I/O (input/output) load data of a computer application is obtained. If the I/O load data of the computer application is above a pre-determined threshold, data paths are provisioned between the computer application and the storage device based on a pre-defined policy applicable to the computer application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Narsimha Reddy Challa, Mohammed Sakhavullah, Vamsi Penumatsa
  • Patent number: 8489798
    Abstract: An electronic device is connectable to an external device. An interface substrate is detachably connected to a main substrate. A first interface is installed on the interface substrate, and the first interface which is connectable to the external device. A second interface is installed on the main substrate, and the second interface which is connectable to the external device. A selection unit selects one interface of the first interface on the interface substrate and the second interface on the main substrate. A communication unit communicates information with the external device through the interface selected by the selection unit. The selection unit selects an interface which is pre-designated or preferentially selects an interface which first receives a signal from the external device, between the first interface and the second interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masayo Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 8473592
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to recognize the presence of a business-use computer that can be a management target of a management computer, and to register the recognized business-use computer as a management target host. A storage system includes business-use hosts 12 and 14, a management server 16 and a storage subsystem 18; wherein the business-use hosts 12 and 14 are connected via a SAN 22 to the storage subsystem 18, while the management server 16 is connected via a LAN 20 to the business-use hosts 12 and 14 and the storage subsystem 18. The management server 16 for recognizing business-use hosts that can be management objects, sends a communication request to all the IP addresses/ports within a range specified by the user, and registers business-use hosts returning a response in reply to the communication request as management targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruki Masuda
  • Patent number: 8464020
    Abstract: In a memory system including a host device and one or more nonvolatile memory devices, the host device reads, from a nonvolatile memory device connected in the system, a boot code used to operate a CPU of the host device before the CPU is activated. The boot code reading process is required to be performed with a simple method. A host device (2) transmits a first symbol including a synchronous code to a nonvolatile memory device (1). The nonvolatile memory device (1) receives the first symbol from the host device (2), and transmits a first symbol that is identical to the received first symbol to the host device (2), and then transmits a boot code to the host device (2). In this manner, the host device (2) reads a boot code from the nonvolatile memory device 1 with a simple method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Toyama, Tadashi Ono, Shinichiro Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8463952
    Abstract: A first device port and a second device port are connected using a first cable and a second cable. The first device port and the second device port use a divisible number of lanes, X for communication. The first cable uses X? lanes, where X? is less than X. The second cable uses X-X? lanes, where X-X? is also less than X. If the first cable is disconnected or fails, then the second cable is used after a failover operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: NetApp, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen E. Tracht, Daniel J. Kolor, W. Leo Rollins
  • Publication number: 20130145057
    Abstract: Techniques for facilitating communication between a portable media device (PMD) and an accessory via multiple communication paths. The accessory has a unique accessory identifier that it can send to the PMD upon establishing a connection via each communication path. The PMD can determine whether the same accessory is connected via multiple communication paths based on the accessory identifier received via each communication path. The PMD can route information to the accessory and control routing of information from the accessory based on the set of communication paths that are currently connected and can dynamically change the routing as communication paths are connected and disconnected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130145056
    Abstract: At least one downstream interface may be configured to be simultaneously connected to both a USB 3.0 compliant device and a USB 2.0 compliant device. The interface may be used for communicating with a USB 3.0 compliant device via a downstream port and simultaneously communicating with a USB 2.0 compliant device via the downstream port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hans Van Antwerpen, Herve Letourneur
  • Patent number: 8458378
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a cable includes a first plug and a second plug, a voltage application line which is formed by a metal wire connected between the first plug and the second plug, and to which a voltage is applied from one of the first plug and the second plug, a plurality of optical fibers which are connected between the first plug and the second plug, and transmit a video signal, and a controller connected to the voltage application line, and configured to detect a transmission direction of the video signal between the first plug and the second plug by sensing a change in voltage of the voltage application line and perform processing in accordance with the detected transmission direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takashi Doi
  • Patent number: 8447899
    Abstract: A device, which has not obtained a resource, can securely obtain a required resource without degradation in response to resource obtainment, and obtains the resource which is exclusively controlled between the device and another device. The device includes: a status detector which detects a status of the other device; a resource obtainer which includes flag information and obtains the resource based on the flag information, the flag information indicating whether the obtainment of the resource is permitted or prohibited; and a determiner which switches the flag information to indicate whether the obtainment is permitted or prohibited, based on the status of the other device detected by the status detector. The resource obtainer is prohibited from obtaining the resource when the flag information indicates that the obtainment is prohibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Naoya Ichinose
  • Patent number: 8443037
    Abstract: A computerized switching system for coupling a workstation to a remotely located computer. A signal conditioning unit receives keyboard and mouse signals generated by a workstation and generates a data packet which is transmitted to a central crosspoint switch. The packet is routed through a crosspoint switch to another signal conditioning unit located at a remotely located computer. The second signal conditioning unit applies the keyboard and mouse commands to the keyboard and mouse connectors of the computer as if the keyboard and mouse were directly coupled to the remote computer. Video signals produced by the remote computer are transmitted through the crosspoint switch to the workstation. Horizontal and vertical sync signals are encoded on to the video signals to reduce the number of cables that extend between the workstation and the remote computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Avocent Redmond Corp.
    Inventors: Danny L. Beasley, Robert V. Seifert, Jr., Paul Lacrampe, James J. Huffington, Thomas Greene, Kevin J. Hafer
  • Patent number: 8443117
    Abstract: A connection expansion device connected to devices includes a plurality of ports to which devices are connected, a storage unit configured to record device information obtained from each port, and a processing unit configured to specify, based on the device information, a port in which an abnormal device exists, invalidate device information belonging to the port, and cause the storage unit to hold device information of a normal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Atsushi Katano, Atsuhiro Otaka, Nobuyuki Honjo
  • Patent number: 8438319
    Abstract: In a computer system configured to handle I/O signals received by the computer system from input devices and/or output signals output by the computer system, a virtual attachment module includes logic for selecting such that program code for coupling can alter the operating system's selection of I/O devices used for particular I/O device operations, coupling to a wireless I/O device at least for determining whether the wireless I/O device is available, and causing redirection of I/O signals destined to a default I/O device to be to the wireless I/O device, if the program code for coupling determines that the wireless I/O device is available. A virtual connection module could be used to intercept system messages indicating a wireless device is present and connected, determine whether the wireless device is present and/or connected, and determine which intercepted messages to forward, drop, delay or reformulate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Atmel Wi-Fi Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Edney