Abstract: An apparatus and a method manage data stored on one or more data storage devices using an adaptive file system by characterizing the data on the data storage devices managed by the file system; and tuning the file system by selecting one or more options to configure a kernel during boot-up and an operating system during mount time.

Abstract: A file server architecture is disclosed, comprising as separate processors, a network controller unit, a file controller unit and a storage processor unit. These units incorporate their own processors, and operate in parallel with a local Unix host processor. All networks are connected to the network controller unit, which performs all protocol processing up through the NFS layer. The virtual file system is implemented in the file control unit, and the storage processor provides high-speed multiplexed access to an array of mass storage devices. The file controller unit control file information caching through its own local cache buffer, and controls disk data caching through a large system memory which is accessible on a bus by any of the processors.

Abstract: A system and a method manages storage space in one or more data storage devices. This is done by receiving a request for storage space from a requester, the request specifying one or more criteria associated with the requested storage space; searching a data structure such as a table containing attributes associated with the data storage devices; selecting one of the data storage devices whose attributes best match the one or more criteria; returning an identification associated with a portion of the selected data storage devices to the requester; and creating a communication path between the requester and the selected data storage device.

Abstract: A bridge in a file server provides a direct link to data storage devices in satisfaction of data requests. The file server has one or more function-specific processors, including network processors (NPs) and file storage processors (FSPs), all operating in parallel and communicating over an interconnect bus. Each FSP is also connected to one or more disk controllers which in turn manage one or more data storage devices. To minimize local bus contention between data storage devices and network communications, separate internal buses are provided in the FSP, one internal bus connected to the interconnect bus for network communications and one internal bus connected to disk controllers for performing I/O operations on data storage devices.

Abstract: This is achieved in a computer system employing a multiple facility operating system architecture. The computer system includes a plurality of processor units for implementing a predetermined set of peer-level facilities wherein each peer-level facility includes a plurality of related functions and a communications bus for interconnecting the processor units. Each of the processor units includes a central processor and the stored program that, upon execution, provides for the implementation of a predetermined peer-level facility of the predetermined set of peer-level facilities, and for performing a multi-tasking interface function. The multi-tasking interface function is responsive to control messages for selecting for execution functions of the predetermined peer-level facility and that is responsive to the predetermined peer-level facility for providing control messages to request or to respond to the performance of functions of another peer-level facility of the computer system.

Abstract: A bridge in a file server provides a direct link to data storage devices in satisfaction of data requests. The file server has one or more function-specific processors, including network processors (NPs) and file storage processors (FSPs), all operating in parallel and communicating over an interconnect bus. Each FSP is also connected to one or more disk controllers which in turn manage one or more data storage devices. To minimize local bus contention between data storage devices and network communications, separate internal buses are provided in the FSP, one internal bus connected to the interconnect bus for network communications and one internal bus connected to disk controllers for performing I/O operations on data storage devices.

Abstract: A file server architecture is disclosed, comprising as separate processors, a network controller unit, a file controller unit and a storage processor unit. These units incorporate their own processors, and operate in parallel with a local Unix host processor. All networks are connected to the network controller unit, which performs all protocol processing up through the NFS layer. The virtual file system is implemented in the file control unit, and the storage processor provides high-speed multiplexed access to an array of mass storage devices. The file controller unit control file information caching through its own local cache buffer, and controls disk data caching through a large system memory which is accessible on a bus by any of the processors.

Abstract: A file server architecture is disclosed, comprising as separate processors, a network controller unit, a file controller unit and a storage processor unit. These units incorporate their own processors, and operate in parallel with a local Unix host processor. All networks are connected to the network controller unit, which performs all protocol processing up through the NFS layer. The virtual file system is implemented in the file control unit, and the storage processor provides high-speed multiplexed access to an array of mass storage devices. The file controller unit control file information caching through its own local cache buffer, and controls disk data caching through a large system memory which is accessible on a bus by any of the processors.

Abstract: A data storage system is coupled to a host computer system for the transfer of data between the host and a plurality of data storage devices. The data storage devices are coupled to a plurality of data transfer channels with each data storage channel be coupled to at least a respective one of the data storage devices. Each data transfer channel includes a data buffer and an autonomously operating controller for transferring between the channels data buffer and data storage device. A non-volatile random access storage memory is provided to store cached pages of data. An interface couples the data storage system to the host and through which data is transferred. A reconfigurable data path permits selective data transfer couplings between the data transfers channels, the non-volatile memory, and the interface.

Abstract: A network computer system providing for the fault tolerant storage and retrieval of data files includes a client system connected to a data communication network that may source a first data transfer request to said data communication network for the transfer or retrieval of data. A first server system, including first medium for storing data files, is connected to the data communication network so as to be responsive to first data transfer requests. A second server system, including second medium for storing data files is also connected to said data communication network to also be responsive to first data transfer requests.

Abstract: This is achieved in a computer system employing a multiple facility operating system architecture. The computer system includes a plurality of processor units for implementing a predetermined set of peer-level facilities wherein each peer-level facility includes a plurality of related functions and a communications bus for interconnecting the processor units. Each of the processor units includes a central processor and the stored program that, upon execution, provides for the implementation of a predetermined peer-level facility of the predetermined set of peer-level facilities, and for performing a multi-tasking interface function. The multi-tasking interface function is responsive to control messages for selecting for execution functions of the predetermined peer-level facility and that is responsive to the predetermined peer-level facility for providing control messages to request or to respond to the performance of functions of another peer-level facility of the computer system.

Abstract: A pseudo-synchronous fast transfer handshake protocol compatible for use on a VMS backplane bus having a master functional module and a slave functional module logically interconnected by a data transfer bus. The data transfer bus includes a data strobe signal line and a data transfer acknowledge signal line. To accomplish the handshake, the master transmits a data strobe signal of a given duration on the data strobe line. The master then awaits the reception of a data transfer acknowledge signal from the slave module on the data transfer acknowledge signal line. The slave then responds by transmitting a data transfer acknowledge signal of a given duration on the data transfer acknowledge signal line.

Abstract: A file server architecture is disclosed, comprising as separate processors, a network controller unit, a file controller unit and a storage processor unit. These units incorporate their own processors, and operate in parallel with a local Unix host processor. All networks are connected to the network controller unit, which performs all protocol processing up through the NFS layer. The virtual file system is implemented in the file control unit, and the storage processor provides high-speed multiplexed access to an array of mass storage devices. The file controller unit control file information caching through its own local cache buffer, and controls disk data caching through a large system memory which is accessible on a bus by any of the processors.

Abstract: A direct memory access control system provides for the high speed burst transfer of data blocks from a data source to a data destination. The system includes a first processor for identifying one or more data blocks for transfer from a data source to a data destination and prepares a data structure defining the data transfer required for the transfer of the data block. A second processor, responsive to an enable signal, autonomously generates addressing signals and data transfer signals to effect the transfer of a data block from the data source to the data destination. Upon completion of a transfer, the second processor generates a transfer done signal. A third processor, responsive to the first processor, is provided to initialize the second processor for the transfer of a data block determined by the defining data structure as prepared by the first processor.

Abstract: A file server architecture is disclosed, comprising as separate processors, a network controller unit, a file controller unit and a storage processor unit. These units incorporate their own processors, and operate in parallel with a local Unix host processor. All networks are connected to the network controller unit, which performs all protocol processing up through the NFS layer. The virtual file system is implemented in the file control unit, and the storage processor provides high-speed multiplexed access to an array of mass storage devices. The file controller unit control file information caching through its own local cache buffer, and controls disk data caching through a large system memory which is accessible on a bus by any of the processors.