Abstract: An OOB sequence monitoring unit detects that an OOB sequence carried out between a base device as a superior device and a connection I/F which operates even if an extension device is in a standby state has proceeded to a given stage. Based on the detection by the OOB sequence monitoring unit, a power supply control unit instructs a starting power supply unit to supply power. When the extension device starts, the OOB sequence is carried out between the extension device and the connection I/F of another extension device in the same manner. As a result, extension devices are started in decreasing order from the extension device closest to the superior device.

Abstract: A connection apparatus interposed between a storage device including at least one storage section and a plurality of controllers for controlling the storage device, the connection apparatus includes a notification section that transfers, when a notification indicating occurrence of a state variation relating to the storage section is received from the storage device, the notification to at least one of the controllers, a monitoring section that monitors access from the at least one of the controllers, to which the notification has been transferred, to the storage device through the connection apparatus, and a notification controlling section that changes over, when it is detected by the monitoring section that the access has been terminated, a transfer destination of the notification by the notification section to one or more of the controllers to which the notification has not been transferred.

Abstract: A relay device includes a processor that executes a procedure. The procedure includes detecting a change in a first communication state between a local device and a first relay device that is arranged in a stage preceding or succeeding the local device and connected to the local device with a logical path, obtaining, from a second relay device for relaying a logical path different from the logical path relayed by the local device, a second communication state between the second relay device and a third relay device that is arranged in a stage preceding or succeeding the second relay device and connected to the second relay device with a logical path, and enabling a logical path between the local device and the second relay device according to a combination of the first and the second communication states when the change in the first communication state is detected.

Abstract: A storage expander apparatus for accessing storage units includes first interfaces for accessing the storage units, a second interface for accessing subordinate expander apparatus, and a processor for executing receiving from an external apparatus a first request for obtaining first information indicative of a state of a connection of the storage expander apparatus, transmitting a second request for obtaining second information indicative of a state of a connection of the subordinate expander apparatus, measuring an elapsing time that has elapsed since transmitting the second request, storing a first response corresponding to the second request upon receiving the first response, starting a process for obtaining third information indicative of a state of a connection to be connected with the first interfaces upon the elapsing time exceeding a predetermined time, and transmitting a second response including the third information to the external apparatus upon receiving the third response.

Abstract: An access control apparatus which establishes a connection based on connection establishment requests from connected devices and controls accesses to a connection target device. The access control apparatus includes a connection information managing unit which manages connect wait conditions to the connection target device of the connected devices based on criterion information in a connection request transmitted from the connected devices and determination for selecting one connected device from the connected devices. The access control apparatus includes a selecting unit which selects one of the connected devices which has a delay tendency related to connection based on adjustment information which is set in accordance with the connect wait conditions of the connected devices and increases a delay tendency in connection of the connected device, and a determining unit which determines the connected device selected by the selecting unit as one to be connected to the connection target device.

Abstract: A connection apparatus interposed between a storage device including at least one storage section and a plurality of controllers for controlling the storage device, the connection apparatus includes a notification section that transfers, when a notification indicating occurrence of a state variation relating to the storage section is received from the storage device, the notification to at least one of the controllers, a monitoring section that monitors access from the at least one of the controllers, to which the notification has been transferred, to the storage device through the connection apparatus, and a notification controlling section that changes over, when it is detected by the monitoring section that the access has been terminated, a transfer destination of the notification by the notification section to one or more of the controllers to which the notification has not been transferred.

Abstract: A connection expansion device connected to devices includes a plurality of ports to which devices are connected, a storage unit configured to record device information obtained from each port, and a processing unit configured to specify, based on the device information, a port in which an abnormal device exists, invalidate device information belonging to the port, and cause the storage unit to hold device information of a normal device.

Abstract: In a storage system, a storage unit of a control apparatus stores first connection information indicating a device connected to a subordinate of the control apparatus. A controller acquires second connection information, created by a relay device, indicating a device connected to the relay device, compares the acquired second connection information and the first connection information stored in the storage unit, and transmits a reset instruction on the second connection information to the relay device based on a comparison result.

Abstract: A relay apparatus includes a storing unit configured to store information related to a connection state between the relay apparatus and a device connected thereto, a determining unit configured to determine whether a change is a temporary change, based on a change factor responsible for the change in the connection state, in a case in which the change occurs in the connection state between the relay apparatus and the connected device. The relay apparatus includes a notifying unit configured to discontinue notifying a higher level apparatus of the change in the connection state when it is determined by the determining unit that the change in the connection state is a temporary change, and notify the higher level apparatus of the change in the connection state when it is determined by the determining unit that the change in the connection state is not a temporary change.

Abstract: An access control apparatus which establishes a connection based on connection establishment requests from connected devices and controls accesses to a connection target device. The access control apparatus includes a connection information managing unit which manages connect wait conditions to the connection target device of the connected devices based on criterion information in a connection request transmitted from the connected devices and determination for selecting one connected device from the connected devices. The access control apparatus includes a selecting unit which selects one of the connected devices which has a delay tendency related to connection based on adjustment information which is set in accordance with the connect wait conditions of the connected devices and increases a delay tendency in connection of the connected device, and a determining unit which determines the connected device selected by the selecting unit as one to be connected to the connection target device.

Abstract: A storage expander apparatus for accessing storage units includes first interfaces for accessing the storage units, a second interface for accessing subordinate expander apparatus, and a processor for executing receiving from an external apparatus a first request for obtaining first information indicative of a state of a connection of the storage expander apparatus, transmitting a second request for obtaining second information indicative of a state of a connection of the subordinate expander apparatus, measuring an elapsing time that has elapsed since transmitting the second request, storing a first response corresponding to the second request upon receiving the first response, starting a process for obtaining third information indicative of a state of a connection to be connected with the first interfaces upon the elapsing time exceeding a predetermined time, and transmitting a second response including the third information to the external apparatus upon receiving the third response.

Abstract: A connection expansion device connected to devices includes a plurality of ports to which devices are connected, a storage unit configured to record device information obtained from each port, and a processing unit configured to specify, based on the device information, a port in which an abnormal device exists, invalidate device information belonging to the port, and cause the storage unit to hold device information of a normal device.

Abstract: A storage apparatus and method are provided. The storage apparatus including includes a basic storage device having a control unit and an add-on storage device configured to be connected to the basic storage device. The add-on storage device including a first request receiving unit receiving a first operation stop request output from the basic storage device to the add-on storage device second request receiving unit receiving a second operation stop request different from the first operation stop request, communication monitoring unit monitoring communication from the basic storage device, and operation stop processing unit performing processing for stopping the operation of the add-on storage device. The operation stop processing unit determines the validity of the second operation stop request on the basis of a monitoring result obtained by the communication monitoring unit, and stops the operation of the add-on storage device.

Abstract: A storage apparatus having a plurality of storage units for storing data comprises: a detecting module for detecting status information indicative of the operation environment of said storage apparatus; a controlling module for accessing said data in said storage unit, said controlling module performing processing in accordance with said status information; and a relaying module for relaying said data between said controlling module and said storage units, storing the status information, and transmitting said status information stored in said relaying module to said controlling module in response to a request from said controlling module.

Abstract: The storage apparatus includes a plurality of storage devices for storing information, a control unit controlling the storage device, a switching unit switching a connection between the storage device and the control unit, and a network different from the connection by the switching unit and connecting the storage device and the control unit. Reading of information from the storage device and writing of information into the storage device is performed by the control unit through the switching unit, and when a fault occurs in the storage device, a fault recovery command is sent from the control unit through the network to the corresponding storage device or the switching unit.

Abstract: An OOB sequence monitoring unit detects that an OOB sequence carried out between a base device as a superior device and a connection I/F which operates even if an extension device is in a standby state has proceeded to a given stage. Based on the detection by the OOB sequence monitoring unit, a power supply control unit instructs a starting power supply unit to supply power. When the extension device starts, the OOB sequence is carried out between the extension device and the connection I/F of another extension device in the same manner. As a result, extension devices are started in decreasing order from the extension device closest to the superior device.

Abstract: A storage apparatus and method are provided. The storage apparatus including includes a basic storage device having a control unit and an add-on storage device configured to be connected to the basic storage device. The add-on storage device including a first request receiving unit receiving a first operation stop request output from the basic storage device to the add-on storage device second request receiving unit receiving a second operation stop request different from the first operation stop request, communication monitoring unit monitoring communication from the basic storage device, and operation stop processing unit performing processing for stopping the operation of the add-on storage device. The operation stop processing unit determines the validity of the second operation stop request on the basis of a monitoring result obtained by the communication monitoring unit, and stops the operation of the add-on storage device.

Abstract: A relay device having a plurality of physical ports connecting with a storage medium and relaying data between a higher level device storing configuration information of a storage device and the storage medium, the relay device including a notification unit for issuing a status change notification reporting that a status of the storage medium connected with said physical port changes to said higher level device when the status change of the storage medium is detected, a monitor of status change notification frequency for monitoring whether the frequency of the status change notification informed via said physical port exceeds a specific threshold, and an invalidation unit for invalidating a function of said physical port when said monitor of status change notification frequency detects that the frequency of the status change notification informed via said physical port exceeds the specific threshold.

Abstract: A storage apparatus having a plurality of storage units for storing data comprises: a detecting module for detecting status information indicative of the operation environment of said storage apparatus; a controlling module for accessing said data in said storage unit, said controlling module performing processing in accordance with said status information; and a relaying module for relaying said data between said controlling module and said storage units, storing the status information, and transmitting said status information stored in said relaying module to said controlling module in response to a request from said controlling module.

Abstract: The storage apparatus includes a plurality of storage devices for storing information, a control unit controlling the storage device, a switching unit switching a connection between the storage device and the control unit, and a network different from the connection by the switching unit and connecting the storage device and the control unit. Reading of information from the storage device and writing of information into the storage device is performed by the control unit through the switching unit, and when a fault occurs in the storage device, a fault recovery command is sent from the control unit through the network to the corresponding storage device or the switching unit.