Abstract: Methods and structure are provided for provisioning a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) volume via an expander that can be used to provision a RAID volume managed by an external RAID controller. The structure includes a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) expander. The expander comprises physical links with transceivers (PHYs) that directly couple with storage devices, a protocol target and a control unit. The control unit provisions a first RAID volume with multiple storage devices that are directly coupled with the PHYs, and is further masks the storage devices from a SAS domain, by presenting the PHYs directly coupled with the multiple storage devices as a single PHY coupled with a single logical device. The control unit is also operable to provision a portion of a second RAID volume on the logical device in response to the expander receiving a command from a RAID controller.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system and method for managing a plurality of storage devices. In an embodiment, at least one enclosure is configured to contain or support a plurality of storage devices accessible by a plurality of initiators. The enclosure further includes or is coupled to a power management controller in communication with the plurality of storage devices. The power management controller is configured to switch one or more storage devices of the plurality of storage devices from a first activity state to a second activity state when the one or more storage devices receive less than a selected number of data transfer requests over a specified time interval, where the one or more storage devices consume less power in the second activity state than in the first activity state.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and systems that share memory located on one PCIe based HBA across other PCIe based HBAs in the system. In addition, the backup battery is effectively shared across multiple PCIe based HBAs in the system. This approach saves significant costs by avoiding the need to have a separate DRAM with its own dedicated battery backup on each HBA board in the system. This also allows the redundant memory and backup batteries to be removed while still retaining the same functionality through the common DDR3 memory chip and battery backup shared across multiple HBAs in the system. The component cost for batteries and memory, management module, board space, and the board manufacturing cost are all reduced as a result.

Abstract: Methods and structure are provided for provisioning a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) volume via an expander that can be used to provision a RAID volume managed by an external RAID controller. The structure includes a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) expander. The expander comprises physical links with transceivers (PHYs) that directly couple with storage devices, a protocol target and a control unit. The control unit provisions a first RAID volume with multiple storage devices that are directly coupled with the PHYs, and is further masks the storage devices from a SAS domain, by presenting the PHYs directly coupled with the multiple storage devices as a single PHY coupled with a single logical device. The control unit is also operable to provision a portion of a second RAID volume on the logical device in response to the expander receiving a command from a RAID controller.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and systems that share memory located on one PCIe based HBA across other PCIe based HBAs in the system. In addition, the backup battery is effectively shared across multiple PCIe based HBAs in the system. This approach saves significant costs by avoiding the need to have a separate DRAM with its own dedicated battery backup on each HBA board in the system. This also allows the redundant memory and backup batteries to be removed while still retaining the same functionality through the common DDR3 memory chip and battery backup shared across multiple HBAs in the system. The component cost for batteries and memory, management module, board space, and the board manufacturing cost are all reduced as a result.