Abstract: A storage subsystem can achieve more efficient I/O processing by enabling users to specify and pass out of band I/O hints comprising an object to be hinted, a hint type, and caching strategies associated with a hint type. A hinted object may be either a virtual device or a file. In addition to priority cache, hint types may include never-cache, sticky-cache, and volatile-cache. Hints may be passed via command-line or graphical-user interfaces.

Abstract: A storage subsystem can achieve more efficient I/O processing by enabling users to specify and pass out of band I/O hints comprising an object to be hinted, a hint type, and caching strategies associated with a hint type. A hinted object may be either a virtual device or a file. In addition to priority cache, hint types may include never-cache, sticky-cache, and volatile-cache. Hints may be passed via command-line or graphical-user interfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for computer signal processing data and command transfer over an interface and more particularly to a communication between peripheral firmware and a host processor or Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) on a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus. In one embodiment, a device and method for reducing the load on the PCI Bus is described. In yet another embodiment, a device and method is described for constructing a variable length command block comprising message frames and aligning all message frames for a particular command block that are contiguous in memory.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for supporting an alternative peer-to-peer communication over a network in a SAS cluster when a node cannot communicate with another node through a normal I/O bus (Serial SCSI bus). At startup, driver may establish the alternative path for communication but may not use it as long as there is an I/O Path available. In the present invention, two types of P2P calls, such as event notification calls and cluster operation calls may be supported.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for supporting an alternative peer-to-peer communication over a network in a SAS cluster when a node cannot communicate with another node through a normal I/O bus (Serial SCSI bus). At startup, driver may establish the alternative path for communication but may not use it as long as there is an I/O Path available. In the present invention, two types of P2P calls, such as event notification calls and cluster operation calls may be supported.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for supporting an alternative peer-to-peer communication over a network in a SAS cluster when a node cannot communicate with another node through a normal I/O bus (Serial SCSI bus). At startup, driver may establish the alternative path for communication but may not use it as long as there is an I/O Path available. In the present invention, two types of P2P calls, such as event notification calls and cluster operation calls may be supported.

Abstract: A plurality of modes is provided for communicating between a host system and a peripheral storage system controller. A first communication mode may be selected from the plurality of communication modes based on a bit length required to communicate a physical address. During runtime, a switch from the first communication mode to a second communication mode may be performed in order to improve the efficiency of processing address requests at the storage system controller.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for updating disk drive firmware is described. In one embodiment of the invention, the disk drive firmware is contained within a RAID environment. A flash mode is provided in which physical drives within the RAID are exposed to an operating system. The flash mode may limit the access and commands of the operating system to the drives in order to prevent errors such as read/write errors. During flash mode, the OS may flash a drive firmware in order to provide an update. Once the update is complete, flash mode is deactivated and the RAID returns to normal operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for computer signal processing data and command transfer over an interface and more particularly to a communication between peripheral firmware and a host processor or Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) on a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus. In one embodiment, a device and method for reducing the load on the PCI Bus is described. In yet another embodiment, a device and method is described for constructing a variable length command block comprising message frames and aligning all message frames for a particular command block that are contiguous in memory.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for supporting an alternative peer-to-peer communication over a network in a SAS cluster when a node cannot communicate with another node through a normal I/O bus (Serial SCSI bus). At startup, driver may establish the alternative path for communication but may not use it as long as there is an I/O Path available. In the present invention, two types of P2P calls, such as event notification calls and cluster operation calls may be supported.

Abstract: A method for providing online raid migration without non-volatile memory employs reconstruction of the RAID drives. In this manner, the method of the present invention protects online migration of data from power failure with little or no performance loss so that data can be recovered if power fails while migration is in progress, and migration may be resumed without the use of non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A method for providing online raid migration without non-volatile memory employs reconstruction of the RAID drives. In this manner, the method of the present invention protects online migration of data from power failure with little or no performance loss so that data can be recovered if power fails while migration is in progress, and migration may be resumed without the use of non-volatile memory.