Abstract: At least one first numbered phy of a first SAS expander is grouped with at least one second numbered phy of a second SAS expander physically separate from the first SAS expander into at least one common SAS wide port. An identical SAS address is assigned to the first SAS expander and the second SAS expander for operating the first SAS expander and the second SAS expander to behave and respond as a single, cohesive SAS expander. The first SAS expander is directly connected to the second SAS expander for inter-expander communications.

Abstract: At least one first numbered phy of a first SAS expander is grouped with at least one second numbered phy of a second SAS expander physically separate from the first SAS expander into at least one common SAS wide port. An identical SAS address is assigned to the first SAS expander and the second SAS expander for operating the first SAS expander and the second SAS expander to behave and respond as a single, cohesive SAS expander. The first SAS expander is directly connected to the second SAS expander for inter-expander communications.

Abstract: A system and method are described for increasing performance of operations implemented in a storage system utilizing fibre channel, such as by enabling full duplex opens when a JBOD/bridge is involved. In an aspect of the present invention, a method of performing a full duplex open in a fibre channel network having an initiator and a bridge may include initiating an open by the initiator with the bridge. The bridge has a primary physical address and an alias physical address. The alias physical address represents a target device communicatively coupled to the bridge, wherein the open is initiated utilizing the primary physical address. The initiator communicates with the target device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of cache management for storage controllers. In an aspect of the present invention, a system for storing electronic data may include a host and a data storage apparatus communicatively coupled to the host. The host has cache coherency functionality. The data storage apparatus includes a first storage controller communicatively coupled to at least one storage device, the first storage controller further coupled to a first cache. A second storage controller is also included, which is communicatively coupled to at least one storage device, the second storage controller further coupled to a second cache. The cache coherency functionality of the host provides coherency of the first cache coupled to the first storage controller with the second cache coupled to the second storage controller.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for a multihost information handling system employing a static logical identifier. In an aspect of the present invention, at least one input/output interface has a target masking configuration utility of the input/output interface which controls the allocation of target devices to the host. Each host may have its own target masking configuration utility or may communicate with each other through agents connected to each other through a network such as a local area network. A controller is communicatively coupled to the ports. When the controller receives an identifier from the host, the controller generates a logical identifier from the identifier, the logical identifier suitable for being utilized in conjunction with a look-up table to provide access to the target.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a configurable input/output interface and method for data transfer between a host and a target in a network environment. A method for providing data transfer between a host and a target in a network environment by a configurable input/output interface includes providing a logical identifier. The logical identifier is configurable for operation in at least two modes, the at least two modes including at least two of referencing multiple data transfer routes between the target and the input/output device utilizing a single logical identifier, referencing a single route between the target and the input/output device utilizing a logical identifier, and referencing a physical address of the target utilizing a logical identifier. Communications between the host and the target are managed by selecting a mode of the at least two modes operable by the input/output interface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method employing a static logical identifier. In an aspect of the present invention, an input/output interface suitable for communicatively coupling a host with a target device may include at least one port communicatively coupling the input/output interface with a host and at least one port communicatively coupling the input/output interface with a target. A controller is communicatively coupled to the ports. When the controller receives an identifier from the host, the controller generates a logical identifier from the identifier, the logical identifier suitable for being utilized in conjunction with a look-up table to provide access to the target.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved Fiber Channel data management technique. More specifically, this patent relates to an improved scheme for managing the related data in related frames that form a sequence. This patent also generally relates to the management of multiple, active sequences which are simultaneously in transit on a Fiber Channel. This invention provides a means for efficiently locating the sequence status block associated with an arbitrary Fiber Channel sequence by using the source identifier field, the originator exchange identifier field and/or the sequence identifier fields of a Fiber Channel frame header to construct a hash table lookup search.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method employing a dynamic logical identifier. In an aspect of the present invention, a method for accessing data utilizing an input/output interface may include providing an identifier for accessing a target device by a host and generating a logical identifier from the obtained identifier by the host. The logical identifier is transferred to an input/output interface and a look-up table is accessed utilizing the logical identifier by an input/output interface controller. The look-up table is included on the input/output interface, wherein the look-up table provides access between the input/output interface and the target device so as to enable the host to access the target device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for increasing performance of operations implemented in a storage system utilizing fibre channel, such as by enabling full duplex opens when a JBOD/bridge is involved. In an aspect of the present invention, a method of performing a full duplex open in a fibre channel network having an initiator and a bridge may include initiating an open by the initiator with the bridge. The bridge has a primary physical address and an alias physical address. The alias physical address represents a target device communicatively coupled to the bridge, wherein the open is initiated utilizing the primary physical address. The initiator communicates with the target device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of cache management for storage controllers. In an aspect of the present invention, a system for storing electronic data may include a host and a data storage apparatus communicatively coupled to the host. The host has cache coherency functionality. The data storage apparatus includes a first storage controller communicatively coupled to at least one storage device, the first storage controller further coupled to a first cache. A second storage controller is also included, which is communicatively coupled to at least one storage device, the second storage controller further coupled to a second cache. The cache coherency functionality of the host provides coherency of the first cache coupled to the first storage controller with the second cache coupled to the second storage controller.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for a multihost information handling system employing a static logical identifier. In an aspect of the present invention, at least one input/output interface has a target masking configuration utility of the input/output interface which controls the allocation of target devices to the host. Each host may have its own target masking configuration utility or may communicate with each other through agents connected to each other through a network such as a local area network. A controller is communicatively coupled to the ports. When the controller receives an identifier from the host, the controller generates a logical identifier from the identifier, the logical identifier suitable for being utilized in conjunction with a look-up table to provide access to the target.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a configurable input/output interface and method for data transfer between a host and a target in a network environment. A method for providing data transfer between a host and a target in a network environment by a configurable input/output interface includes providing a logical identifier. The logical identifier is configurable for operation in at least two modes, the at least two modes including at least two of referencing multiple data transfer routes between the target and the input/output device utilizing a single logical identifier, referencing a single route between the target and the input/output device utilizing a logical identifier, and referencing a physical address of the target utilizing a logical identifier. Communications between the host and the target are managed by selecting a mode of the at least two modes operable by the input/output interface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method employing a static logical identifier. In an aspect of the present invention, an input/output interface suitable for communicatively coupling a host with a target device may include at least one port communicatively coupling the input/output interface with a host and at least one port communicatively coupling the input/output interface with a target. A controller is communicatively coupled to the ports. When the controller receives an identifier from the host, the controller generates a logical identifier from the identifier, the logical identifier suitable for being utilized in conjunction with a look-up table to provide access to the target.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method employing a dynamic logical identifier. In an aspect of the present invention, a method for accessing data utilizing an input/output interface may include providing an identifier for accessing a target device by a host and generating a logical identifier from the obtained identifier by the host. The logical identifier is transferred to an input/output interface and a look-up table is accessed utilizing the logical identifier by an input/output interface controller. The look-up table is included on the input/output interface, wherein the look-up table provides access between the input/output interface and the target device so as to enable the host to access the target device.

Abstract: A method of using a frame sequence to transmit a data block from a transmitting device to a receiving device is disclosed. One step of the method includes generating a first frame of the frame sequence that includes a last portion of the data block and a relative offset which indicates a relative displacement between a first portion of the data block and the last portion of the data block. Another step of the method includes generating a second frame of the frame sequence that includes the first portion of the data block. The method also includes the step of transmitting the first frame of the frame sequence from the transmitting device to the receiving device before transmitting the second frame. Yet another step of the method includes receiving the first frame of the frame sequence from the transmitting device before receiving the second frame.

Abstract: The method and apparatus provides a data processing system. The data processing system includes a primary bus, a secondary bus, and a host processor connected to the primary bus. The data processing system includes a first secondary processor connected to the primary bus and the secondary bus. Additionally, a second secondary processor is connected to the secondary bus. The first secondary processor and the second secondary processor forms cascaded processors for input/output functions. Selected functions normally performed by the second secondary processor are performed by the first secondary processor, wherein a division of workload increases performance of the data processing system. This architecture allows shifting of workload down to the secondary bus.