Abstract: Disclosed is a modem that uses information from prior modem calls in a current modem call if the current communication line has the same characteristics as the communication line of a prior call. During modem training, a determination is made as to whether the characteristics of the current communication line is substantially similar to the characteristics of a communication line used during at least one prior call. If the characteristics are substantially similar, the stored data mode information from the prior call(s) is used to design a signal constellation for use during the current call's data mode. If the characteristics are not substantially similar, then full modem training is performed and data mode information is stored for use during subsequent calls. In addition to the communication line similarity test, line quality evaluation may also be performed in order to determine whether there has been a change in the quality of the communication line between the current call and prior call(s).

Abstract: A disk administrating system is provided for administrating multiple disk-arrays containing at least one disk array. The disk administrating system comprises a computer with an interface card and a plurality of disk drives connected to the computer through the interface card. Part of the plurality of disk drives constitute to at least one disk array. The disk in the disk array has an array configuration sector located at the last sector thereof and storing array configuration information therein. The computer accesses the disk through the interface card and manages the disk array by information stored in the array configuration sector.

Abstract: An array configuration is provided for a multiple disk-arrays system containing at least one disk array. The array configuration comprises an array signature field, an array information, a disk information and a serial check sum of each disk in the same disk array. The array configuration is stored at the last sector of each disk in the multiple disk-arrays system. The array signature field identifies a disk in the disk array or in a span array. The array information is used for recording at least one setting and at least one status of the disk array. The disk information is used for recording at least one information in each disk of each disk array. The serial check sum of each disk in the same disk array is used to identify array status.

Abstract: An array configuration testing method is proposed for multiple disk-array system containing at least one disk array. The method comprises steps of: reading array configuration; acquiring a quantity of disk drives in the array; reading the serial check sum of all disk drives in the array; and comparing the quantity of disk drives in the array and another quantity of disk drives deduced from the serial check sum of all disk drives in the array. The method further comprises steps of: acquiring the disk sequence/function of the array in the array configuration; comparing the disk sequence/function with another disk sequence/function deduced from the serial check sum of each disk drive in one array. The method cross-examines the serial check sum of each disk drive in the same array and the quantity of disk drives in the array as well as disk sequence/function record in order to check data integrity in the array configuration.

Abstract: A disk drive managing method manages disk drive in multiple disk-array system containing at least one disk-array. Each array has at least one disk drive with an array configuration. The array configuration comprises an array signature and serial check sum of each disk drive in the array. The method comprises steps of: detecting each disk drive in the system; reading an array configuration from the detected disk drive; validating the array signature of the disk drive being corrective or not; reading the serial check sum of other disk drive from the same array; recognizing the disk-array being recorded or not; and recording from the disk drive. The method can be used to manage single disk-array system, multiple disk-array system or span array system.

Abstract: An array configuration testing method is proposed for multiple disk-array system containing at least one disk array. The method comprises steps of: reading array configuration; acquiring a quantity of disk drives in the array; reading the serial check sum of all disk drives in the array; and comparing the quantity of disk drives in the array and another quantity of disk drives deduced from the serial check sum of all disk drives in the array. The method further comprises steps of: acquiring the disk sequence/function of the array in the array configuration; comparing the disk sequence/function with another disk sequence/function deduced from the serial check sum of each disk drive in one array. The method cross-examines the serial check sum of each disk drive in the same array and the quantity of disk drives in the array as well as disk sequence/function record in order to check data integrity in the array configuration.

Abstract: A disk drive managing method manages disk drive in multiple disk-array system containing at least one disk-array. Each array has at least one disk drive with an array configuration. The array configuration comprises an array signature and serial check sum of each disk drive in the array. The method comprises steps of: detecting each disk drive in the system; reading an array configuration from the detected disk drive; validating the array signature of the disk drive being corrective or not; reading the serial check sum of other disk drive from the same array; recognizing the disk-array being recorded or not; and recording from the disk drive. The method can be used to manage single disk-array system, multiple disk-array system or span array system.

Abstract: An array configuration is provided for a multiple disk-arrays system containing at least one disk array. The array configuration comprises an array signature field, an array information, a disk information and a serial check sum of each disk in the same disk array. The array configuration is stored at the last sector of each disk in the multiple disk-arrays system. The array signature field identifies a disk in the disk array or in a span array. The array information is used for recording at least one setting and at least one status of the disk array. The disk information is used for recording at least one information in each disk of each disk array. The serial check sum of each disk in the same disk array is used to identify array status.

Abstract: A disk administrating system is provided for administrating multiple disk-arrays containing at least one disk array. The disk administrating system comprises a computer with an interface card and a plurality of disk drives connected to the computer through the interface card. Part of the plurality of disk drives constitute to at least one disk array. The disk in the disk array has an array configuration sector located at the last sector thereof and storing array configuration information therein. The computer accesses the disk through the interface card and manages the disk array by information stored in the array configuration sector.

Abstract: A method of forming CMOS transistors with self-aligned field regions. First and second spaced apart areas are provided on a silicon substrate. A masking member is formed protecting the first of said areas and exposing the second. The exposed area is doped with a p-type material which is driven in to form a p-well. The same region is again doped with additional p-type material after which the CMOS transistors are fabricated.