Abstract: The present invention is a system utilizing multicast with distributed intelligence including an initiator device for transmitting a request, the request being addressed to a multicast group. The system also includes a switch for receiving the request from the initiator device. The switch is configured with multicast functionality for multicasting copies of the request to the multicast group. Additionally, the system includes a plurality of multicast group devices, each configured for receiving a copy of the request from the initiator device, via the switch. Each device of the plurality of multicast group devices is further configured with mapping functionality for allowing the storage device to determine a storage layout of the multicast group device. The initiator device, switch and each device of the plurality of multicast group devices are communicatively coupled via a network.

Abstract: A data processing system that includes an improved architecture for providing hot spare storage devices. Specifically, the data processing includes a bus that is connected to one or more computer systems and a number of storage subsystems. Each storage subsystem includes storage devices and a controller. The controller in a storage subsystem provides the connection to the bus and an interface for controlling data transfers to and from the storage device. A backup storage system is connected to the bus. The data processing system also includes a detection means for detecting a failure of a storage device within one of the plurality of storage subsystems and a backup means for using the backup storage device to replace the failed storage device.