Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Input/output access regulation
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-31
2004-08-31
Gaffin, Jeffrey (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Input/output access regulation
C710S008000, C710S009000, C710S041000, C709S217000, C709S218000, C709S219000, C709S239000, C709S240000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06785750
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the field of fibre channel devices, and particularly to an apparatus, system and method for enabling access and transfer of data.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The access, transfer and storage of electronic data is one of the most important aspects of modern life. From business to personal use, electronic data is utilized to make lives easier, as information representing transactions, personal data, business, and the like is stored and transferred quickly and accurately. By communicatively linking systems, data may be transferred to provide this functionality.
To provide consistent and persistent access to data, a variety of paths to the data, as well as data saving schemes may be employed. However, these schemes may require high data bandwidth, may be resource intensive, and may be incompatible across a variety of architectures. Further, such methods may result in complications to future development of products, devices and systems.
Further, the scheme employed may vary greatly depending on the functionality of the connected system. For example, some systems, when presented with multiple paths to a storage device, or target, will view each path as representing a different target device, thereby causing great confusion and compatibility issues within the system. However, in other systems, a host, when presented with multiple paths, may determine how many target devices are actually represented and choose a path accordingly. Such a system, when presented with but a single path and/or reconciled target, may have such optimization ability through the system hindered.
Additionally, communication overhead, delivery delay, and the like may occur when data traverses a route that has heavier traffic than the one with a longer distance and lesser traffic. Thus, data transfer may be greatly affected by the route taken, as well as the traffic encountered on each route.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a system and method for load balancing by an input/output interface. In a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for providing an input/output interface with load balancing functionality between a host and a target includes a first data transfer route suitable for communicatively coupling the apparatus to a host system, a second data transfer route suitable for communicatively coupling the apparatus to a target, and a third data transfer route suitable for communicatively coupling the apparatus to the target. A memory suitable for storing electronic data is also included, the memory including a program of instructions. A controller is communicatively coupled to the first data transfer route, the second data transfer route, the third data transfer route and the memory. The controller is suitable for performing the program of instructions, wherein the program of instructions configures the controller to transfer data between the host and target by balancing data transferred over the second data transfer route and the third data transfer route.
In a second aspect of the present invention, a system including an input/output interface with load balancing functionality for communicatively coupling a host and a target includes a host having an input/output interface. The input/output interface includes a first data transfer route suitable for communicatively coupling the input/output interface to the host, a second data transfer route suitable for communicatively coupling the input/output interface to a target and a third data transfer route suitable for communicatively coupling the input/output interface to the target. The input/output interface also includes a memory suitable for storing electronic data, the memory including a program of instructions. A controller is also included which is communicatively coupled to the first data transfer route, the second data transfer route, the third data transfer route and the memory. The controller is suitable for performing the program of instructions, wherein the program of instructions configures the controller to transfer data between the host and target utilizing a logical identifier included in a logical identifier table associated with the second data transfer route and the third data transfer route. The data transfer is performed by utilizing the second data transfer route and the third data transfer route in a load balanced manner
In a third aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a load balancing function between a host and a target in a network environment by an input/output interface includes providing a logical identifier table by an input/output interface, the logical identifier table including at least one logical identifier, the logical identifier suitable for referencing at least one physical address identifier of a target. Communications are managed between the host and the target by the input/output interface. The communications occurring over at least one of a first route and a second route of at least two routes communicatively coupling the in/put/output interface to the target are managed so that the host transfers data by balancing data transferred utilizing the second route and the third route of the at least two routes.
It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5848241 (1998-12-01), Misinai et al.
patent: 6137797 (2000-10-01), Bass et al.
patent: 6327622 (2001-12-01), Jindal et al.
patent: 6341356 (2002-01-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 6587959 (2003-07-01), Sjolander et al.
patent: 6640281 (2003-10-01), Obara et al.
Gaffin Jeffrey
LSI Logic Corporation
Nguyen Mike
Suiter - West PC LLO
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