Abstract: A method and system for transferring data between a host and a Serial Attached Small Computer Interface (“SAS”) device using a storage controller is provided. The storage controller includes, a World Wide Name (“WWN”) module that includes a table having plural entries, wherein each row includes a WWN address, an initiator tag value field, an input/output counter value that tracks plural commands for a connection. A WWN index value represents the address of a row having plural entries. The method includes, comparing frame elements of incoming frames, including a unique WWN address with the WWN module entries; and if there is a match, updating a counter value for a connection between the storage controller and a device sending frames. The counter value is increased when a command frame is received and decreased when a command is executed and a response is sent to the device.

Abstract: A method and system for transferring frames from a storage device to a host system via a controller is provided. The method includes transferring frames from a transport module to a link module; and sending an acknowledgment to the transport module, wherein the link module sends the acknowledgement to the transport module and it appears to the transport module as if the host system sent the acknowledgement. The frames in the controller are tracked by creating a status entry indicating that a new frame is being created; accumulating data flow information, while a connection to transfer the frame is being established by a link module; and updating frame status as frame build is completed, transferred, and acknowledged. The controller includes, a header array in a transport module of the controller, wherein the header array includes plural layers and one of the layers is selected to process a frame.

Abstract: A method and a storage controller for transferring data between a host and a storage device is provided. The storage controller includes, a transport module having a first in first out (“FIFO”) for receiving frames from a link module, wherein the FIFO uses two pointers; the first pointer points to a location of a frame that is received with cyclic redundancy code (“CRC”) and the second pointer points to the frame after the CRC is verified and the frame is acceptable. The method includes, using a first pointer to point to a location when a frame arrives without the CRC; and verifying the CRC and if a frame is acceptable using a second pointer to point to the first pointer location. If a frame is corrupt the first pointer and the second pointer point to a location of a receive pointer.