Abstract: Disclosed is a method that simultaneously transfers DMA data from a peripheral device to a hardware assist function and processor memory. A first DMA transfer is configured to transfer data from the peripheral to a peripheral DMA engine. While receiving the data, the DMA engine simultaneously transfers this data to processor memory. The DMA engine also transfers a copy of the data to a hardware assist function. The DMA engine may also simultaneously transfer data from processor memory to a peripheral device while transferring a copy to a hardware assist function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for taking a snapshot of a storage system employing a solid state disk (SSD). A plurality of mapping tables in the SSD store data needed to create a one or more point in time snapshots and a current view of the SSD. In response to a write command, the SSD executes its normal write process and updates its mapping tables to indicate the current view of the SSD and additionally retains the original data in a table of pointers to the original data, as the snapshot of an earlier state of the SSD. In the preferred embodiment, the innate ability of SSDs to write data to a new location is used to perform a point-in-time copy with little or no loss in performance in performing the snapshot.

Abstract: A method includes multicasting an Input/Output (I/O) data associated with a host computing device through a multicast device associated with a storage controller coupled to another storage controller in a redundant configuration, and minoring, through the multicasting, the I/O data across the storage controller and the another storage controller through a bus utilized to couple the storage controller and the another storage controller. The method also includes transmitting an early write status message to the host computing device following the minoring of the I/O data across the storage controller and the another storage controller. The early write status message is associated with a successful completion of the mirroring of the I/O data across the storage controller and the another storage controller prior to the I/O data being written to a storage device associated therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed is a storage system enclosure. A midplane receives, from a controller coupled to the midplane, a first drive status signal and a second drive status signal. The first drive status signal and the second drive status signal are associated with a storage device. The first drive status signal indicates a fault condition associated with the storage device. The second drive status signal indicates that an action is allowed on the storage device. A drive power control supplies or removes power from the storage device in response to the state of the first drive status signal and the second drive status signal.

Abstract: A modular and redundant storage controller system includes management modules, controller modules and an interconnect module. The management modules provide direct-current power and signals to respective controller modules. The controller modules include respective signal interfaces, direct-current interfaces, and interconnect interfaces. The signal interfaces couple the controllers to a respective management module. The direct-current interfaces couple the controllers to a respective management module. The interconnect module includes a pair of connectors arranged to couple a pair of the controller modules via the respective interconnect module interfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the power consumption of one or more disk arrays are described. Power consumption information for various hardware components of the array, especially that for the disk drives since these consume more than 90% of the required power, are stored in a static data table in a database which may be controller firmware. Through inspection of this table and the chosen state of the individual disk drives as directed by a controller, one may determine the power use of the array.

Abstract: A system comprising a first expander device and a second expander device. The first expander device and the second expander device comprise a subtractive port and a table mapped port and are suitable for coupling a first serial attached SCSI controller to a second serial attached SCSI controller. The first and second expander devices are cross-coupled via a redundant physical connection.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a customized storage container includes a generally rectangular housing and at least one printed circuit board contained within the rectangular housing. The customized storage container encloses a first row of interconnector modules that are positioned adjacent to a first, open end of the rectangular housing. The customized storage container also encloses a second row of interconnector modules positioned adjacent to the first, open end of the rectangular housing. At least one air vent is positioned along a side of the rectangular housing and adjacent to a second, closed end of the rectangular housing. According to one exemplary embodiment, the storage container can comprise a single printed circuit board for supporting the first and second row of interconnector modules. In another exemplary embodiment, the storage container can comprise two printed circuit boards for supporting the first and second rows interconnector modules.

Abstract: A configurable storage array controller can be configured to either a single-processor configuration or a multi-processor configuration by configuring a data bus switch system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method that simultaneously transfers DMA data from a peripheral device to a hardware assist function and processor memory. A first DMA transfer is configured to transfer data from the peripheral to a peripheral DMA engine. While receiving the data, the DMA engine simultaneously transfers this data to processor memory. The DMA engine also transfers a copy of the data to a hardware assist function. The DMA engine may also simultaneously transfer data from processor memory to a peripheral device while transferring a copy to a hardware assist function.

Abstract: Disclosed is a storage array system. N array controllers are configured with at least two interconnect fabric ports, where N is an integer greater than two. A JBOD unit is configured with at least two interconnect fabric switches. The two interconnect fabric switches each have at least N interconnect fabric ports. Each of the least N of the interconnect fabric ports are directly connected to a corresponding one of the N array controllers, thereby establishing direct redundant connectivity between each of the N array controllers and each other of the N array controllers.

Abstract: A configurable storage array controller can be configured to either a single-processor configuration or a multi-processor configuration by configuring a data bus switch system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling a circuit board or data storage module located within a slot in an enclosure to determine the identification of the slot by detecting a characteristic feature of the slot. In this manner the circuit board or data storage module can be instructed to operate in accordance with the function of that slot. This is important when a plurality of slots having different functions contains identical circuit boards or modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for taking a snapshot of a storage system employing a solid state disk (SSD). A plurality of mapping tables in the SSD store data needed to create a one or more point in time snapshots and a current view of the SSD. In response to a write command, the SSD executes its normal write process and updates its mapping tables to indicate the current view of the SSD and additionally retains the original data in a table of pointers to the original data, as the snapshot of an earlier state of the SSD. In the preferred embodiment, the innate ability of SSDs to write data to a new location is used to perform a point-in-time copy with little or no loss in performance in performing the snapshot.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the power consumption of one or more disk arrays are described. Power consumption information for various hardware components of the array, especially that for the disk drives since these consume more than 90% of the required power, are stored in a static data table in a database which may be controller firmware. Through inspection of this table and the chosen state of the individual disk drives as directed by a controller, one may determine the power use of the array.

Abstract: A system and method for removing one volume of a redundant data storage system, keeping a delta log of subsequent changes to the remaining volumes of the redundant data storage system, replacing the volume, and rebuilding the volume by using the delta log is disclosed. The system and method are applicable to redundant data storage systems such as RAID systems and mirrored backup systems including remote mirrored systems.

Abstract: A system comprising a first expander device and a second expander device. The first expander device and the second expander device comprise a subtractive port and a table mapped port and are suitable for coupling a first serial attached SCSI controller to a second serial attached SCSI controller. The first and second expander devices are cross-coupled via a redundant physical connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating failed disk drives on a disk array module when the disk-array module is removed from its enclosure is described.

Abstract: A universal controller connector is modular, scalable and enables ease of connection between various storage devices (e.g., hard drives) and the same midplane controller. The universal controller connector solves the need for modularity and scalability for use with new storage controllers requiring midplane connections by managing connections between midplane controller and interface modules. The connection form factor enables universal connectivity of modules to a controller.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for flexible scalability of storage systems. In one aspect, a storage controller may include an interface to a fabric adapted to permit each storage controller coupled to the fabric to directly access memory mapped components of all other storage controllers coupled to the fabric. The CPU and other master device circuits within a storage controller may directly address memory an I/O devices directly coupled thereto within the same storage controller and may use RDMA features to directly address memory an I/O devices of other storage controllers through the fabric interface.