Abstract: A storage controller is provided. The storage controller includes circuitry configured to utilize a format command to change a storage volume coupled to the storage controller from a first format to a second format and memory configured to store a data structure for first and second format indications for the storage volume. The storage controller determines if a selected band is initialized to the second format, and if the selected band is not initialized to the second format, the storage controller initializes the selected band to the second format and updates the data structure to indicate the selected band is initialized to the second format.

Abstract: A storage controller is provided. The storage controller includes circuitry configured to utilize a format command to change a storage volume coupled to the storage controller from a first format to a second format and memory configured to store a data structure for first and second format indications for the storage volume. The storage controller determines if a selected band is initialized to the second format, and if the selected band is not initialized to the second format, the storage controller initializes the selected band to the second format and updates the data structure to indicate the selected band is initialized to the second format.

Abstract: A storage controller is provided. The storage controller includes circuitry configured to utilize a format command to change a storage volume coupled to the storage controller from a first format to a second format and memory configured to store a data structure for first and second format indications for the storage volume. The storage controller determines if a selected band is initialized to the second format, and if the selected band is not initialized to the second format, the storage controller initializes the selected band to the second format and updates the data structure to indicate the selected band is initialized to the second format.

Abstract: A method for method for resolving a cable mismatch by a target device is provided. The method includes determining that all PHYs in a receptacle are currently inactive, a PHY in the receptacle became active, and determining if there is a mismatch between a cable type and a stored cable configuration. If there is a mismatch between the cable type and the stored cable configuration, the method further includes disabling all other PHY groups in the receptacle that do not include the PHY that became active and notifying a user that a cable mismatch corresponding to the receptacle has occurred. If there is not a mismatch between the cable type and the stored cable configuration, then the method includes re-enabling PHYs in the receptacle, if any PHYs are disabled, and notifying a user that a cable mismatch corresponding to the receptacle has been corrected.

Abstract: A storage controller is provided. The storage controller includes circuitry configured to utilize a format command to change a storage volume coupled to the storage controller from a first format to a second format and memory configured to store a data structure for first and second format indications for the storage volume. The storage controller determines if a selected band is initialized to the second format, and if the selected band is not initialized to the second format, the storage controller initializes the selected band to the second format and updates the data structure to indicate the selected band is initialized to the second format.

Abstract: A method for method for resolving a cable mismatch by a target device is provided. The method includes determining that all PHYs in a receptacle are currently inactive, a PHY in the receptacle became active, and determining if there is a mismatch between a cable type and a stored cable configuration. If there is a mismatch between the cable type and the stored cable configuration, the method further includes disabling all other PHY groups in the receptacle that do not include the PHY that became active and notifying a user that a cable mismatch corresponding to the receptacle has occurred. If there is not a mismatch between the cable type and the stored cable configuration, then the method includes re-enabling PHYs in the receptacle, if any PHYs are disabled, and notifying a user that a cable mismatch corresponding to the receptacle has been corrected.

Abstract: A method for maintaining reliable communication on a link between an expander and a storage device is provided. The method includes detecting, by a processor coupled to the link, an error corresponding to the link, and maintaining a count of detected errors for the link, by the processor. The method also includes determining, by the processor, if the count of detected errors is above a first error threshold. If the count of detected errors is not above the first error threshold, then the method repeats the detecting, maintaining, and determining steps. If the count of detected errors is above the first error threshold, then the method provides the processor placing the storage device into a segregated zone.

Abstract: A method for maintaining reliable communication on a link between an expander and a storage device is provided. The method includes detecting, by a processor coupled to the link, an error corresponding to the link, and maintaining a count of detected errors for the link, by the processor. The method also includes determining, by the processor, if the count of detected errors is above a first error threshold. If the count of detected errors is not above the first error threshold, then the method repeats the detecting, maintaining, and determining steps. If the count of detected errors is above the first error threshold, then the method provides the processor placing the storage device into a segregated zone.