Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory – Storage accessing and control – Specific memory composition
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-17
2001-06-19
Kim, Matthew (Department: 2186)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory
Storage accessing and control
Specific memory composition
C711S112000, C710S052000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06249842
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to data storage and retrieval in a Redundant Array of Independent Drives (RAID) System.
RAID Systems distribute data across several disk drives, magnetically storing the data as binary bits on several disks for each disk drive. The data are stored in blocks on each drive, with the blocks of each drive having counterpart blocks on other drives. These counterpart blocks on each drive form a stripe of data blocks. The disk drives store the data in these counterpart blocks such that the data from any one drive can be recreated from data in the counterpart blocks of the other drives of that stripe.
As technology advances, consumers demand faster processing speeds of computer systems, including RAID systems. At the same time, the complexity of computer systems including software run by the computer systems, is increasing. Therefore it is desirable to reduce the processing times needed to manipulate data, including storing and retrieving data, in order to accommodate computer users' demands of faster processing times.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus includes a host port for coupling to a host. A storage disk is coupled to a disk port. A memory is provided for storing opcodes, data buffer pointers associated with the opcodes, and data in data buffers indicated by the data buffer pointers. A data transfer circuit is provided to store an address corresponding to a selected one of the opcodes. The data transfer circuit is responsive to a mode indicated by the selected opcode to transfer data between a selected data buffer associated with the selected opcode and one of the ports.
According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus includes a host port for coupling to a host. A storage disk is coupled to a disk port. A memory is provided for storing opcodes, data buffer pointers associated with the opcodes, and data in data buffers indicated by the data buffer pointers. An exclusive-OR processor circuit is provided to store addresses corresponding to a first selected opcode and a second selected opcode. The data transfer circuit is responsive to modes indicated by the first and second selected opcodes to exclusive-OR the data stored in the data buffers associated with the first and second selected opcodes.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of electronically manipulating data in a storage drive, the storage drive including a host port for coupling to a host and a data port coupled to a plurality of storage disks, includes setting an opcode to indicate a mode, the opcode being associated with a data buffer. The method also includes transferring data between one of the ports and the data buffer, using a data transfer circuit, in response to the mode indicated by the opcode.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of electronically manipulating data in a storage drive, the storage drive including a host port for coupling to a host and a data port coupled to a plurality of storage disks, includes setting a plurality of opcodes, each indicating a mode, the opcodes being associated with data buffers. The method also includes exclusive-ORing data in the data buffers corresponding to the opcodes, using an exclusive-OR processor circuit, in response to modes indicated by the opcodes.
According to another aspect of the invention, a storage device adapter includes a host data port for coupling to a host. A disk data port is provided for coupling to a storage disk. An interface is provided for coupling to memory. An exclusive-OR processor circuit is responsive to modes indicated by opcodes received through the interface to exclusive-OR data, corresponding to the opcodes, received through the interface.
Various aspects of the invention may provide one or more of the following advantages can be performed without firmware intervention. The time required for processing data for exclusive-OR data write and exclusive-OR parity write operations is reduced compared to prior art arrangements. Hardware circuits can perform portions of exclusive-OR data write and exclusive-OR parity write operations independent of a main processor and firmware, and of each other. The hardware circuits can perform portions of the operations in parallel.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5838892 (1998-11-01), Wilson
patent: 5956351 (1999-09-01), Bossen et al.
Fish & Richardson
Kim Matthew
Quantum Corporation
Vital Pierre M.
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