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 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 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 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: 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 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: An apparatus for managing a network connection between different types of networks via a master port includes a failure detecting unit and a master-port switching unit. The failure detecting unit detects a failure in other apparatus based on a frame for determining the master port transmitted from the other apparatus. The master-port switching unit switches, when the failure detecting unit detects a failure in the other apparatus, the master port of the apparatus from a standby state to an operation state.

Abstract: A device for setting identification information for identifying an intermediary device mounted on a substrate, the device includes an information acquiring unit that acquires position information indicating a position at which the intermediary device is mounted; and an information setting unit that sets the identification information based on the position information.