Abstract: A data storage system employs data encryption to increase data security, and techniques for ensuring consistency of key information maintained and used throughout the system to reduce the likelihood that data will become non-recoverable due to the use of an incorrect encryption key. In one aspect, a verification process is performed between a key table at a central storage processor and key tables containing decrypted copies of the same information that are stored and utilized at separate input/output (I/O) modules. The verification process includes computing respective hash values at the I/O modules and at the storage processor and comparing the hash values to determine whether they match, a match indicating that the tables are consistent and a non-match indicating that the tables are not consistent. In another aspect, an I/O module performs a check prior to performing an encryption/decryption operation as part of processing an I/O command to ensure that the correct key will be utilized.

Abstract: A configurable fibre channel (FC) loop system is provided that may be used to couple mass storage devices to input/output (I/O) controllers in a data storage system. The system may include first and second port bypass systems (PBPS). Each PBPS may include FC protocol network sections having nodes that may be configured into different numbers of loops that may be used to couple the devices to the controllers.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a network adapter is provided that may be used in a network data storage system to permit data exchange among data exchanging devices and a data storage system input/output (I/O) controller. The network adapter may include a control interface and a control logic section. The control interface may be coupled to the controller. The control logic section may receive from the controller, via the control interface, a command, and may transmit to the controller, via the control interface, information concerning the operation of the network adapter. The control logic section may access, based upon the command from the controller, memory that may contain the information and an executable command to be supplied to other logic in the network adapter. The control interface may be identical to control interfaces in other (i.e., different) types of adapters that may be controlled by the controller.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an adapter device is provided that may be used in a data storage system to permit data communication among host computer nodes external to the system and data storage system processors. The adapter device of this embodiment includes two or more network nodes configured to provide at least one network. The network may be used to interconnect the host computer nodes and the processors so as to permit the data communication among the host computer nodes and the processors. At least one of the network nodes is configurable so as to change the topology of the network. When the network's topology is changed in this manner, the nature of the data communication permitted by the network among at least certain of the processors and the host computer nodes is also changed.

Abstract: A method for transmitting fiber channel signals and non-fiber channel signals. The method includes: providing a cable having a connector at each end thereof; and transmitting both the fiber-channel signals and the non-fiber channel signals through the cable between the connectors. In one embodiment of the invention, the non-fiber channel signals are transmitted in outer region of the cable and the fiber channel signals are transmitted in a region of the cable interior to the outer region.

Abstract: A system is provided that may be used to mount mass storage devices so that they may be used in a mass storage system. The mass storage devices may include respective disk storage devices. Each of the disk storage devices may have a respective form factor that may be a respective one of two possible form factors (e.g., low profile or half-height form factor).

Abstract: A data storage system wherein a host computer is coupled to a bank of disk drives through a system interface. The interface includes a plurality of directors and a memory interconnected by a plurality of busses for controlling data transfer between the host computer and the bank of disk drives as such data passes through the memory. A front-end portion of the directors is coupled to the host computer through front-end input/output adapters. Each one of the front-end directors includes a fiber channel hub. The hub is configured to provide a selected one of a plurality of fiber channel loops between one of the front-end directors and a selected one, or more, of a plurality of host computer sections. The fiber channel hub includes a plurality of transceivers each one being adapted to communicate with a corresponding one of the plurality of host computer sections. A plurality of multiplexer sections is coupled to a said one of the directors through a configurable fiber channel loop.

Abstract: Electrical cabinet for storing a plurality of disk drives. The cabinet has an array of slots, each one of the slots being adapted to receive a corresponding one of a plurality of disk drives. Each one of the disk drive has a pair of ports. A printed circuit board mounted to a rear of the housing. The board having a plurality of plugs, each one of the plugs being positioned in registration with a corresponding one of the slots to make electrical connection to such corresponding one of the disk drives. The housing has a slot for receiving a pair of fibre channel port by-pass cards. The port by pass cards are electrically interconnected to the disk drives through the printed circuit board. Each one of such port-by pass cards is coupled to a corresponding one of a pair input/output ports through a corresponding one of a pair fibre channel transmission medium. Each one of the port by-pass cards is coupled to a corresponding one of the pair of ports of the disk drives.

Abstract: A fibre channel system having a plurality of disk drives. Each one of the disk drives has a pair of redundant ports. A pair of sources of data is provided. The system includes a pair of fibre channel port by-pass cards. Each one of the cards has an input/output port connected to a corresponding one of the sources of data. Each one of the port by-pass cards provides a fiber channel loop between the input/output port thereof and a corresponding one of the pair of ports of a one, or ones, of the disk drives selectively in accordance with a control signal fed to such port by-pass card by the one of the pair of sources coupled to the input/output port thereof. Each one of the port by-pass cards has a fail-over controller and a switch, such switch being coupled to the input/output port of such one of the port by-pass cards. Each one of the fail-over controllers produces a control signal from the source coupled thereto indicating a fault in the other one of the sources.

Abstract: A data storage system wherein a host computer is coupled to a bank of disk drives through a system interface. The interface has a plurality of directors and a memory interconnected by a plurality of busses for controlling data transfer between the host computer and the bank of disk drives as such data passes through the memory. A portion of the directors have input/output interfaces coupled to disk drive bank through input/output adapters. The system interface includes a system printed circuit board, such printed circuit board having the directors and the memory plugged into one side thereof and having the input/output adapters plugged into an opposite side thereof. A disk backplane is provided. The disk backplane has having plugged therein: a pair of disk drive sections, each section having a plurality of disk drives in the bank of disk drives; and a pair of port by-pass card, each one of the port by-pass cards being coupled to a corresponding one of the pair of disk drive sections.

Abstract: A technique is provided for mapping mass storage device addresses to mass storage devices mounted in a mass storage device mounting system. The mounting system may include a single type of chassis that may contemporaneously mount two sets of disk mass storage devices. One of the sets of disk mass storage devices may comprise disk mass storage device that have a first form factor (e.g., half height form factor), and the other set may comprise disk mass storage devices that have a second form factor (e.g., LP form factor).

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a cable is provided that may be used to transmit signals that may be used to implement two fibre channel arbitrated loops.

Abstract: A method for transmitting fibre channel signals and non-fibre channel signals. The method includes: providing a cable having a connector at each end thereof; and transmitting both the fibre-channel signals and the non-fibre channel signals through the cable between the connectors.

Abstract: A method for transmitting fiber channel signals and non-fiber channel signals. The method includes: providing a cable having a connector at each end thereof; and transmitting both the fiber-channel signals and the non-fiber channel signals through the cable between the connectors. In one embodiment of the invention, the non-fiber channel signals are transmitted in outer region of the cable and the fiber channel signals are transmitted in a region of the cable interior to the outer region.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an adapter device is provided that may be used in a data storage system to permit data communication among host computer nodes external to the system and data storage system processors. The adapter device of this embodiment includes two or more network nodes configured to provide at least one network. The network may be used to interconnect the host computer nodes and the processors so as to permit the data communication among the host computer nodes and the processors. At least one of the network nodes is configurable so as to change the topology of the network. When the network's topology is changed in this manner, the nature of the data communication permitted by the network among at least certain of the processors and the host computer nodes is also changed.