Abstract: A simplification of the re-discovery process for initiators due to changes in the network is disclosed. If an initiator subscribes to change reports from a SAS expander, when that SAS expander detects a change in the network, it sends an SMP command back to the initiator, indicating the specific change in the network. Initiator BCN management and re-discovery of the entire network is therefore avoided.

Abstract: A single fibre channel switch or serial attached SCSI expander applies zoning on the initiator ports to each of the two ports of one or more drives. The fibre channel switch or serial attached SCSI expander uses zoning to connect both ports of each drive to a single expander and set the zones in the expander such that each zone includes at least one initiator port and one drive port.

Abstract: A storage router (56) and storage network (50) provide virtual local storage on remote SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64) to Fibre Channel devices. A plurality of Fibre Channel devices, such as workstations (58), are connected to a Fibre Channel transport medium (52), and a plurality of SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64) are connected to a SCSI bus transport medium (54) The storage router (56) interfaces between the Fibre Channel transport medium (52) and the SCSI bus transport medium (54). The storage router (56) maps between the workstations (58) and the SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64) and implements access controls for storage space on the SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64). The storage router (56) then allows access from the workstations (58) to the SCSI storage devices (60, 62, 64) using native low level, block protocol in accordance with the mapping and the access controls.

Abstract: In a virtualized computer system in which a guest operating system runs on a virtual machine of a virtualized computer system, a computer-implemented method of providing the guest operating system with direct access to a hardware device coupled to the virtualized computer system via a communication interface, the method including: (a) obtaining first configuration register information corresponding to the hardware device, the hardware device connected to the virtualized computer system via the communication interface; (b) creating a passthrough device by copying at least part of the first configuration register information to generate second configuration register information corresponding to the passthrough device; and (c) enabling the guest operating system to directly access the hardware device corresponding to the passthrough device by providing access to the second configuration register information of the passthrough device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and data structures are provided for identifying host information at a physical layer of an information handling system. The method includes issuing a command from a host computer and sending a host information command to a device. The command may be issued in a first transport protocol. The host information command may include a host identifier identifying the host that issued the command and a tag identifying a reissued command, the reissued command including the command reissued in a second transport protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing Storage Area Networks over an IP network. A SCSI request is generated and encapsulated in one or more IP packets. The encapsulated SCSI request is routed over an IP network and received by a storage router. The storage router extracts the SCSI request from the one or more IP packets and routes the extracted SCSI request through a virtual SCSI router to the storage area network.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for dynamically zoning or rezoning serially attached SCSI expanders using an intelligent failover mechanism. The mechanism uses serially attached SCSI (SAS) zoning by zoning off one port of the SAS hard disk drive to the initiator that does not “own” the resource. The drive will appear to only one initiator as a result of the zoning. In the event of a failure on the “owning” initiator, the failover mechanism may change the zones, zoning off the failed initiator and including the drives in the zone(s) of the active initiator(s). By using zoning in this fashion, the zoning mechanism creates an active-passive SAS multiplexer with configurable and intelligent failover.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for isolating a storage application from a network interface driver. The apparatus includes a definition module, an application interface, a translation module, and a data buffer. The definition module defines a set of storage application functions. The translation module translates each storage application function to one or more network interface driver functions. The data buffer transfers data blocks between the storage application and the network interface driver.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed that provides a set of common software routines that may be accessed by device drivers in support of the Windows Management Instrumentation system. The set of common routines includes typical routines that would ordinarily be executed by device drivers designed in accordance with WMI. The common routines may reside in a library, dynamically accessible by the device drivers. When a device driver receives a message from the WMI system, the device driver may pass the message to the library to be handled in a common manner. In this manner, the developers of device drivers in accordance with the WMI system need only develop so much code as is necessary to support any unique features or data storage of its associated hardware. The result is shortened development time and fewer programming errors. In addition, the overall system performance may be improved because fewer instances of similar code are loaded in memory to support the WMI system.

Abstract: Firmware of an InfiniBand (IB) host computer device provides a representation of an IB Host Channel Adapter (HCA) within the hierarchical data structure during system initialization. An ib-boot support package encapsulates arguments for booting over an IB network using an ibport device. The ib-boot support package supports use of one or more command keywords, each identifying a specific type of support package utilized to retrieve the boot image. When the srp keyword is provided, an SRP protocol is used to access the storage boot device and retrieve the boot file. Access to the boot server is thus provided via one of the support packages, and the boot image is returned to the host device via the IB network for completion of boot operations.

Abstract: A data storage enclosure management system of a plurality of service processors is configured to communicate externally via a pair of FC-AL loops. Lead and subsidiary service processors are defined and lead service processors connect to ones of the FC-AL loops with an FC-AL address, and the lead and subsidiary service processors are connected by a secondary communication link. The lead service processor(s) employ an identifier unassociated with the FC-AL address to differentiate communications of the lead service processor from communications of an associated subsidiary service processor, the lead service processor serving as a proxy for the associated subsidiary service processor with respect to the FC-AL address and communicating with the associated subsidiary service processor via the secondary communication link.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method replaces a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) array member storage device configured in high density packaging. The high density packaging includes a plurality of field-replaceable units (FRUs). Each FRU has an associated plurality of storage devices. A first spare storage device of a first FRU is captured. The first FRU is dedicated as a plurality of spare storage devices by a RAID controller. A small computer system interface (SCSI) enclosure services (SES) processor (SESP) is initialized to read data from the RAID array member storage device and transfer the data to the first spare storage device. The first spare storage device and the RAID array member storage device are co-resident within a serial attached small computer system interface (SAS) expander local port domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the safe shut down of an operating system. The invention utilizes a shutdown-monitoring program that is running in an initiator operating system to periodically transmit and pass-through SCSI command to a SCSI target to determine if a shutdown operations is to be performed upon the operating system. In response to the SCSI command the SCSI target returns data back to the initiator operating system, wherein the shutdown-monitoring program analyzes the data. In the event that the shutdown-monitoring program determines that the operating system is to be shut down, then an operating system shutdown is initiated using at least one appropriate API that is provided by the operating system.

Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for host software concurrent processing of a network connection using multiple central processing units (CPUs) may be disclosed. Exemplary aspects of the method may include a network system comprising a plurality of processors and a NIC. After completion of one or more received I/O requests, a plurality of completions may be distributed among two or more of the plurality of CPUs. The plurality of CPUs may be enabled to handle processing for one or more network connections and each network connection may be associated with a plurality of completion queues. Each CPU may be associated with at least one global event queue.

Abstract: A method for supporting multiple interface standards in a connection between a computer system and a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) unit is disclosed. The method includes receiving a message indicating an initialization routine and reading a first indicator associated with a first interface standard. The method further includes loading configuration data for the first interface standard. The method further includes configuring a RAID initiator using the configuration data, if the first interface standard is identical to the actual interface standard to which the RAID unit is coupled.

Abstract: A command is received, at a network storage driver, from an operating system storage stack, wherein the command is for communication with a target storage device over a connection across a network. The command is selectively executed, a plurality of times over the connection, for communicating with the target storage device, in response to a determination that the command failed to successfully communicate with the target storage device within a threshold period of time.

Abstract: A Common Component Framework (CCF) provides a container interface and a component interface for communication in a multi-tiered software application. Component context data may be transmitted to and from a container describing a current state of a component executing within the container. Context data may correspond to a specific entity (e.g., a financial entity such as a company or stock) identified by a user interacting with the component. The container may communicate the context data between different components to synchronize and coordinate component behavior, providing a more robust and coherent user experience. In addition to component context data, other information may be transmitted between containers and components such as properties, menu options, and data fields, supporting more complete integration of even web-based components into containers.

Abstract: A disk array apparatus using an SAS can transfer data without lowering a transfer efficiency of data even if rates of a plurality of physical links connected to a controller and storage device are different. A plurality of HDDs are connected to a controller through an expander. Data are transferred from the controller to the expander and then to HDD. In this connection, the controller and the expander transfers a set of transfer data in a plurality of the HDD-side physical links. The controller-side physical link integrates the transfer data, and multiplexes them to transfer. A plurality of HDDs-side physical links separates the transfer data to transfer in parallel.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing multiple functions of a multi-channel SCSI chip. The method includes hiding a first function of a multi-channel SCSI chip from an operating system, wherein the first function corresponds to a first channel of the multi-channel SCSI chip. The method also includes unhiding a second function of the multi-channel SCSI chip from the operating system, wherein the second function corresponds to a second channel of the multi-channel SCSI chip. The method also includes managing the first function and the second function with a single driver.

Abstract: Accessing some storage-area networks (SANs) requires a client computer to include a special electronic component, known as a host bus adapter (HBA). However, the present inventor recognized that conventional host bus adapters add considerable expense to the cost of accessing the storage-area network. Accordingly, the present inventor devised a host bus adapter that is implemented in software and thus referred to as a “virtual” host bus adapter. One exemplary embodiment of the virtual host bus adapter includes a hardware-emulation module that makes the virtual host bus adapter appear to operating system environments as a conventional host bust adapter with dedicated hardware.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing Storage Area Networks over an IP network. A SCSI request is generated and encapsulated in one or more IP packets. The encapsulated SCSI request is routed over an IP network and received by a storage router. The storage router extracts the SCSI request from the one or more IP packets and routes the extracted SCSI request through a virtual SCSI router to the storage area network.

Abstract: The invention provides improvements on storage area network (SAN) of the type having one or more host digital data processors in communication with one or more storage devices, where a host has an operating system that utilizes (i) a port driver to define a software interface between a class driver and an adapter to which one or more of the storage devices are coupled, and (ii) a class driver that claims storage devices for access, e.g., by the operating system and any applications programs executing therein, by invoking the port driver to which the host is coupled, e.g., via the interconnect fabric. The improvement comprises a software filter in communication with the port driver and the class driver. That filter intervenes to block claiming of one or more selected storage devices by the class driver.

Abstract: An improved interface between a host computer and a tape drive emulation system includes software interfaces for communicating control, configuration, and policy data and a hardware interface for providing redundancy and fan-out between the main controller and host channels.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for negotiating parameters for an IPSec connection between a requesting client and an iSCSI system using a computer system other than an iSCSI system are provided. By design, the iSCSI system monitors TCP (Transmission Control protocol) port 500 for secure requests. When a request enters port 500, the iSCSI system transmits all information received on port 500 to a computer system better suited to handle IPSec parameter negotiations. After the computer system has negotiated the parameters, the parameters are passed to the iSCSI system for a secure data transaction to ensue.

Abstract: A host is coupled to a cluster fabric which includes a fabric-attached I/O controller. The host includes a processor, a memory coupled to the processor and an operating system. The operating system includes a kernel and a fabric bus driver to provide an I/O bus abstraction to the kernel for the cluster fabric to report multiple paths to a target fabric-attached I/O controller.

Abstract: A method that automatically downloads a device driver through the Internet when installing a peripheral device to a host, a method for fixing errors in the device, and a system thereof. A first embodiment includes receiving an error code and/or a server address corresponding to an error from the device when a device error occurs, connecting to a server using the received address to transfer the error code, and receiving a service page from the server with reference to the error code. A second embodiment includes detecting whether the device is connected, receiving device information including a server address, which provides the device driver and/or interface information, from the device and connecting to the received address to transfer the device information and/or operation system information, and receiving a device driver corresponding to the interface information from a server corresponding to the address and installing the device driver.

Abstract: A read-write hard disk drive is emulated using a hard disk drive image file on a protected medium such as a CD-ROM, a written disk sector database, and file system filters. A file system filter intercepts file I/O requests from the operating system. Initial read requests are serviced from the hard disk drive image file. Write operations are directed to a database, such as in RAM. Subsequent read requests for previously written data are serviced from the database. Another file system filter monitors attempts to alter the file access attributes, and prevents pre-existing read-only files on the emulated drive from being written or deleted. The maximum size of the written disk sector database is the sum of sectors on the hard disk drive image file allocated to read-write files and free space. The emulated read-write hard disk drive allows for the execution of programs requiring a read-write native media.

Abstract: A communications card provides a miniport driver including a system interface abstraction layer (SIAL) that eliminates operating system (OS) specific and platform specific semantics from communication paths between a driver and the rest of the communications system. The SIAL provides a layer of software that connects an unspecified number of messaging channels to a single interface. The SIAL provides a message controller that is responsible for routing messages between various internal and external entities and contains multiple installable components, an operating system component which provides OS functions for the installable components and a platform module that supplies platform specific functions to the installable components.

Abstract: A SmartHandle and method is provided which can extend capabilities of the EJB Handle. The SmartHandle can be mapped to a multi-column relational database. Additionally, the SmartHandle enables two EJB Handles to be compared without instantiating the actual EJB objects.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first plurality of parallel switches and a second plurality of parallel switches. The first plurality of parallel switches may be configured to control a voltage on a first output pin. The second plurality of parallel switches may be configured to control a voltage on a second output pin. The first and second pluralities of parallel switches may be configured to provide rise time control of a differential waveform and be driven by a phased data signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of storage devices connected to a host server system from a network server system are provided. One embodiment provides a method for controlling a plurality of devices connected to a host system, comprising: receiving, by an input/output processor (IOP) on a network server system, a device request from a network server operating system; determining to which one of the plurality of devices is the device request directed; creating a host system request for the one of the plurality of devices; and sending the host system request to an IOP of the host system. Another embodiment provides a medium containing program code that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method for controlling a plurality of devices connected to a host system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for input/output virtual address translation and validation assigns a range of memory to a device driver for its exclusive use. The device driver invokes system functionality for receiving a logical address and outputting a physical address having a length greater than the logical address. Another feature of the invention is a computer system providing input/output virtual address translation and validation for at least one peripheral device. In one embodiment, the computer system includes a scatter-gather table, an input/output virtual address cache memory associated with at least one peripheral device, and at least one device driver. In a further embodiment, the input/output virtual address cache memory includes an address validation cache and an address translation cache.

Abstract: Rather than implementing a printer as a single set of rendering parameters, a printer can be implemented as a “meta-printer” that comprises one or more virtual printers. The virtual printers define different sets of rendering parameters. Each virtual printer is accessed through a page description language or through a user interface presiding in a print driver or server. In particular, each virtual printer of the meta-printer has an associated set of rendering parameters. One virtual printer of this meta-printer may be set up to print a first type of content using a first set of selected rendering parameters. This same virtual printer may be set up to print a different type of content using a different set of selected rendering parameters. This may be repeated for any number of additional content types. A user can access these virtual printers to print a document containing a variety of different content types. A user may select one virtual printer of the meta-printer to render an entire document.

Abstract: The present invention provides an iSCSI interface allowing remote access to data storage devices directly and independent of a particular operating system. Conversion of control commands to SCSI commands and then to IP commands provides operating system independent access to the data storage devices. Access to separate portions of the data storage devices is also provided.