公开(公告)号：US08230134B2

公开(公告)日：2012-07-24

申请号：US12765027

申请日：2010-04-22

Applicant: Stephen B. Johnson ,  Timothy E. Hoglund

Inventor： Stephen B. Johnson ,  Timothy E. Hoglund

IPC: G06F13/28

CPC classification number: G06F13/28 ,  Y02D10/14

Abstract: A hardware automated IO path, comprising a message transport unit for transporting an IO request to a local memory via a DMA operation and determining a LMID for associating with a request descriptor of the IO request; a fastpath engine for validating the request descriptor and creating a fastpath descriptor based on the request descriptor; a data access module for performing an IO operation based on the fastpath descriptor and posting a completion message into the fastpath completion queue upon a successful completion of the IO operation. The fastpath engine is further configured for: receiving the completion message, releasing the IO request stored in the local memory, and providing a reply message based on the completion message. The message transport unit is further configured for providing the reply message in response to the IO request.

Abstract translation: 一种硬件自动IO路径，包括用于经由DMA操作将IO请求传送到本地存储器并确定用于与所述IO请求的请求描述符相关联的LMID的消息传输单元; 用于验证请求描述符并基于请求描述符创建快速路径描述符的快速引擎; 数据访问模块，用于在成功完成IO操作时，基于快速路径描述符执行IO操作并将完成消息发布到快速路径完成队列中。 快速引擎还被配置为：接收完成消息，释放存储在本地存储器中的IO请求，以及基于完成消息提供回复消息。 消息传送单元还被配置为响应于IO请求来提供应答消息。

公开(公告)号：US20100296815A1

公开(公告)日：2010-11-25

申请号：US12470704

申请日：2009-05-22

Applicant: William K. Petty ,  Brian A. Day ,  Timothy E. Hoglund

Inventor： William K. Petty ,  Brian A. Day ,  Timothy E. Hoglund

IPC: H04B10/00

CPC classification number: G06F13/4072

Abstract: Methods and systems for encoding and/or decoding digital signals representing serial attached SCSI (SAS) out of band (OOB) signals exchanged over an optical communication between two SAS devices. A SAS OOB signal to be transmitted from a first SAS device to a second SAS device is first encoded as a digitally encoded signal representing the analog SAS OOB signal and then transmitted over an optical communication medium to another SAS device. A receiving SAS device coupled to an optical communication medium decodes a received digitally encoded signal to detect a received, encoded SAS OOB signal and processes the received SAS OOB signal when receipt is detected. The digitally encoded signal may comprise an idle word portion and a burst word portion to represent various SAS OOB signals. Further, the digitally encoded signal may be precomputed in a variety of disparity forms and stored in a memory for lookup and retrieval.

Abstract translation: 用于编码和/或解码表示通过两个SAS设备之间的光通信交换的串行连接SCSI（SAS）带外（OOB）信号的数字信号的方法和系统。 要从第一SAS设备发送到第二SAS设备的SAS OOB信号首先被编码为表示模拟SAS OOB信号的数字编码信号，然后通过光通信介质传输到另一个SAS设备。 耦合到光通信介质的接收SAS设备对所接收的数字编码信号进行解码，以检测接收到的编码的SAS OOB信号，并且当检测到接收时处理所接收的SAS OOB信号。 数字编码的信号可以包括空闲字部分和突发字部分以表示各种SAS OOB信号。 此外，数字编码信号可以以各种不同形式预先计算，并存储在用于查找和检索的存储器中。

公开(公告)号：US20100268904A1

公开(公告)日：2010-10-21

申请号：US12760434

申请日：2010-04-14

Applicant: Robert L. Sheffield ,  Gerald E. Smith ,  Timothy E. Hoglund ,  Adam Weiner

Inventor： Robert L. Sheffield ,  Gerald E. Smith ,  Timothy E. Hoglund ,  Adam Weiner

IPC: G06F12/14

CPC classification number: G06F3/0659 ,  G06F3/0613 ,  G06F3/0619 ,  G06F3/0674

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improved region lock management in a storage controller. A region lock management circuit coupled with a memory is provided for integration in a storage controller. One or more I/O processor circuits of the storage controller transmit requests to the region lock management circuit to request a temporary lock for a region of storage on a volume of the storage system. The region lock management circuit determines whether the requested lock may be granted or whether it conflicts with other presently locked regions. Presently locked regions and regions to be locked are represented by region lock data structures. In one exemplary embodiment, the region lock data structures for each logical volume may be stored as a tree data structure. A tree assist circuit may also be provided to aid the region lock management circuit in managing the region lock tree data structures.

Abstract translation: 用于改进存储控制器中的区域锁定管理的装置和方法。 与存储器耦合的区域锁管理电路被提供用于集成在存储控制器中。 存储控制器的一个或多个I / O处理器电路向区域锁定管理电路发送请求以对存储系统的卷上的存储区域请求临时锁定。 区域锁定管理电路确定所请求的锁是否被授予，或者是否与其他当前锁定的区域冲突。 当前被锁定的区域和被锁定的区域由区域锁定数据结构表示。 在一个示例性实施例中，每个逻辑卷的区域锁定数据结构可以被存储为树形数据结构。 还可以提供树辅助电路以帮助区域锁管理电路管理区域锁树数据结构。

公开(公告)号：US20100153620A1

公开(公告)日：2010-06-17

申请号：US12316902

申请日：2008-12-17

Applicant: Brian McKean ,  Mohamad El-Batal ,  Bret S. Weber ,  John Dietterich ,  Jeffrey S. Werning ,  Timothy E. Hoglund

Inventor： Brian McKean ,  Mohamad El-Batal ,  Bret S. Weber ,  John Dietterich ,  Jeffrey S. Werning ,  Timothy E. Hoglund

IPC: G06F12/16 ,  G06F12/00 ,  G06F12/02

CPC classification number: G06F11/1466 ,  G06F12/0246 ,  G06F2212/7201

Abstract: A method and apparatus for taking a snapshot of a storage system employing a solid state disk (SSD). A plurality of mapping tables in the SSD store data needed to create a one or more point in time snapshots and a current view of the SSD. In response to a write command, the SSD executes its normal write process and updates its mapping tables to indicate the current view of the SSD and additionally retains the original data in a table of pointers to the original data, as the snapshot of an earlier state of the SSD. In the preferred embodiment, the innate ability of SSDs to write data to a new location is used to perform a point-in-time copy with little or no loss in performance in performing the snapshot.

Abstract translation: 一种用于拍摄采用固态盘（SSD）的存储系统的快照的方法和装置。 SSD中的多个映射表存储创建一个或多个时间点快照和SSD的当前视图所需的数据。 响应于写入命令，SSD执行其正常写入处理并更新其映射表以指示SSD的当前视图，并且将原始数据另外保留在指向原始数据的指针表中，作为较早状态的快照 的SSD。 在优选实施例中，SSD用于将数据写入新位置的固有能力用于执行时间点复制，而在执行快照时性能很少或没有损失。

公开(公告)号：US20100106911A1

公开(公告)日：2010-04-29

申请号：US12258907

申请日：2008-10-27

Applicant: Brian A. Day ,  Timothy E. Hoglund

Inventor： Brian A. Day ,  Timothy E. Hoglund

IPC: G06F12/00 ,  G06F13/24

CPC classification number: G06F3/0661 ,  G06F3/0607 ,  G06F3/0689 ,  G06F12/0866 ,  H04L67/1095 ,  H04L67/1097

Abstract: Methods and systems for communication between two storage controllers. A first storage controller specifies a special frame indicator in a frame of a protocol that is also used by a first storage controller to send a storage command to a storage device. The first storage controller transmits the frame to a second storage controller such that the frame comprises data in a payload field of the frame.

Abstract translation: 两个存储控制器之间通信的方法和系统。 第一存储控制器在协议的帧中指定特殊帧指示符，其也由第一存储控制器用于向存储设备发送存储命令。 第一存储控制器将帧发送到第二存储控制器，使得帧包括帧的有效载荷字段中的数据。

公开(公告)号：US20100064085A1

公开(公告)日：2010-03-11

申请号：US12384289

申请日：2009-04-02

Applicant: Stephen B. Johnson ,  Timothy E. Hoglund ,  Louis H. Odenwald, JR.

Inventor： Stephen B. Johnson ,  Timothy E. Hoglund ,  Louis H. Odenwald, JR.

IPC: G06F13/00

CPC classification number: G06F13/4022

Abstract: At least one first numbered phy of a first SAS expander is grouped with at least one second numbered phy of a second SAS expander physically separate from the first SAS expander into at least one common SAS wide port. An identical SAS address is assigned to the first SAS expander and the second SAS expander for operating the first SAS expander and the second SAS expander to behave and respond as a single, cohesive SAS expander. The first SAS expander is directly connected to the second SAS expander for inter-expander communications.

Abstract translation: 第一SAS扩展器的至少一个第一编号的phy与第二SAS扩展器的至少一个第二编号的phy分组，其与第一SAS扩展器物理分离成至少一个公共SAS宽端口。 分配相同的SAS地址到第一个SAS扩展器和第二个SAS扩展器，用于操作第一个SAS扩展器和第二个SAS扩展器，使其作为一个单一的，内聚的SAS扩展器来运行和响应。 第一个SAS扩展器直接连接到第二个SAS扩展器，用于扩展器间通信。

公开(公告)号：US06810448B1

公开(公告)日：2004-10-26

申请号：US09848569

申请日：2001-05-02

Applicant: Stephen B. Johnson ,  Timothy E. Hoglund ,  Guy W. Kendall

Inventor： Stephen B. Johnson ,  Timothy E. Hoglund ,  Guy W. Kendall

IPC: G06F1314

CPC classification number: G06F13/28

Abstract: A message-based I/O architecture comprising a list describing one or more source buffers and a message header. The list may be segmented in multiple memory locations. The message header may be configured to (i) indicate whether the list is segmented and (ii) provide information for linking the list when the list is segmented.

Abstract translation: 基于消息的I / O架构，其包括描述一个或多个源缓冲器和消息头的列表。 列表可以在多个存储器位置中分段。 消息报头可以被配置为（i）指示列表是否被分段，并且（ii）在列表被分段时提供用于链接列表的信息。

公开(公告)号：US06721320B1

公开(公告)日：2004-04-13

申请号：US09216400

申请日：1998-12-18

Applicant: Timothy E. Hoglund ,  Louis H. Odenwald, Jr. ,  Elizabeth G. Rodriguez

Inventor： Timothy E. Hoglund ,  Louis H. Odenwald, Jr. ,  Elizabeth G. Rodriguez

IPC: H04L1228

CPC classification number: H04L49/552 ,  H04L49/357

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved Fiber Channel data management technique. More specifically, this patent relates to an improved scheme for managing the related data in related frames that form a sequence. This patent also generally relates to the management of multiple, active sequences which are simultaneously in transit on a Fiber Channel. This invention provides a means for efficiently locating the sequence status block associated with an arbitrary Fiber Channel sequence by using the source identifier field, the originator exchange identifier field and/or the sequence identifier fields of a Fiber Channel frame header to construct a hash table lookup search.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及一种改进的光纤通道数据管理技术。 更具体地，本专利涉及用于管理形成序列的相关帧中的相关数据的改进方案。 该专利还通常涉及在光纤通道上同时传输的多个主动序列的管理。 本发明提供了一种用于通过使用光纤通道帧头的源标识符字段，发起者交换标识符字段和/或序列标识符字段来有效地定位与任意光纤通道序列相关联的序列状态块的装置，以构建散列表查找 搜索。

公开(公告)号：US5777987A

公开(公告)日：1998-07-07

申请号：US580947

申请日：1995-12-29

Applicant: John M. Adams ,  Timothy E. Hoglund ,  Stephen M. Johnson ,  Mark A. Reber ,  David M. Weber

Inventor： John M. Adams ,  Timothy E. Hoglund ,  Stephen M. Johnson ,  Mark A. Reber ,  David M. Weber

IPC: H04L29/02 ,  H04L12/56 ,  H04J3/00

CPC classification number: H04L47/30 ,  H04L47/10 ,  H04L47/26

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for using a primary FIFO and one or more secondary FIFOs in parallel to simplify flow control and routing in packet communication operations wherein at least one FIFO (buffer) is associated with each of a plurality of receiving nodes or components within a receiving node. The present invention applies received packets simultaneously to a primary FIFO and to all associated secondary FIFOs in the receiver of a packet communications link. After receipt of a packet, the packet is removed from any secondary FIFOs which correspond to receiver nodes or components to which the packet was not routed. For all receiving nodes or components to which the packet was routed, if the packet was stored in each associated secondary FIFO without overflow, then the packet is also purged from the primary FIFO. If any secondary FIFO overflowed by storage of the received packet, then the packet is purged from the overflowed FIFO and the packet remains stored in the primary FIFO for further processing. Flow control signals are generated and applied to the transmitting source as required in accordance with the status of the primary FIFO. The secondary FIFOs are not directly relevant to flow control logic. The receiving component corresponding to each secondary FIFO locates the next packet for processing by inspecting the associated secondary FIFO as well as the primary FIFO if the secondary FIFO overflowed. These methods and apparatus simplify flow control and routing control in packetized communication receivers.

Abstract translation: 一种用于并行地使用主FIFO和一个或多个辅助FIFO以简化在分组通信操作中的流控制和路由的方法和相关联的装置，其中至少一个FIFO（缓冲器）与多个接收节点中的每一个相关联， 接收节点。 本发明将接收到的分组同时应用于主FIFO和分组通信链路的接收机中的所有相关联的辅助FIFO。 在接收到分组之后，从与分组未被路由到的接收机节点或组件对应的任何辅助FIFO中移除分组。 对于分组路由到的所有接收节点或组件，如果分组存储在每个相关联的辅助FIFO中，而不会溢出，则该分组也从主FIFO中清除。 如果任何辅助FIFO通过存储接收的分组溢出，则从溢出的FIFO中清除分组，并且分组保持存储在主FIFO中用于进一步处理。 根据主FIFO的状态，根据需要生成流量控制信号并将其应用于发送源。 二级FIFO与流量控制逻辑不直接相关。 对应于每个辅助FIFO的接收组件通过检查相关联的辅助FIFO以及主FIFO溢出时定位下一个数据包进行处理。 这些方法和装置简化了分组通信接收机中的流量控制和路由控制。

公开(公告)号：US08904158B2

公开(公告)日：2014-12-02

申请号：US13309662

申请日：2011-12-02

Applicant: Gregory L. Huff ,  Timothy E. Hoglund ,  Brad D. Besmer ,  Mark J. Jander ,  Edward F. Marchand ,  Jason C. McGinley

Inventor： Gregory L. Huff ,  Timothy E. Hoglund ,  Brad D. Besmer ,  Mark J. Jander ,  Edward F. Marchand ,  Jason C. McGinley

IPC: G06F9/00 ,  G06F9/44 ,  G06F9/24

CPC classification number: G06F9/4408 ,  G06F9/24

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a boot appliance for a data storage system. The boot appliance is a self-contained, pre-configured device that serves as a boot device for multiple servers. The boot appliance contains multiple hard drives which are configured into one or more RAID volumes. Each volume is divided into multiple partitions, with each partition serving as the boot drive for any server connected to it. The boot appliance provides its own environmental controls and Ethernet connection which may be used for providing alerts regarding the health of the components of the boot appliance and/or data storage system to a monitoring system, such as a network management system. The boot appliance may provide a boot drive and operating system image to multiple servers at the same time.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及用于数据存储系统的引导装置。 引导设备是一个独立的预配置设备，可用作多个服务器的引导设备。 引导设备包含配置为一个或多个RAID卷的多个硬盘驱动器。 每个卷分为多个分区，每个分区用作连接到它的任何服务器的引导驱动器。 引导设备提供其自己的环境控制和以太网连接，其可用于向诸如网络管理系统的监视系统提供关于引导设备和/或数据存储系统的组件的健康状况的警报。 引导设备可以同时向多个服务器提供引导驱动器和操作系统映像。