초록 ▼

Data is recovered despite a single point of failure in a data exchanging system while accommodating scaleable data transfer rate performance. In the environment of at least two disk array controllers, a serial dumping scheme assists in recovery of data from a fast memory. It is imperative to avoid l

Data is recovered despite a single point of failure in a data exchanging system while accommodating scaleable data transfer rate performance. In the environment of at least two disk array controllers, a serial dumping scheme assists in recovery of data from a fast memory. It is imperative to avoid loss of write data from a host computer which is received and acknowledged but not yet stored in a disk medium. The configuration ensures that at least one of the controllers will handle the data so as to correct single failure point errors and properly store that data on one of the disks of an array. A fast memory providing a buffer between a remote host computer and arrays of data storage media is managed so that data received for writing is duplicated for reliability of storage while data for reading to the host computer is manipulated with an enhanced bandwidth of fast memory operation.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for supervising operation of a buffer memory which functions under the direction of an attached controller for transferring data into and out of satellite data storage units in response to data write and read requests originating from a remote host computer comp

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for supervising operation of a buffer memory which functions under the direction of an attached controller for transferring data into and out of satellite data storage units in response to data write and read requests originating from a remote host computer comprising:an interfacing device for monitoring write requests from said host computer and including means for determining an anticipated quantity of storage needed for temporarily retaining data in said buffer memory before transfer to said satellite data storage units;means for establishing a boundary within said buffer memory based upon the quantity of storage needed for accommodating outstanding write data requests from said host computer;means for allowing said memory controlled to place only write data in said buffer memory on one side of said boundary and only read data recordation on the other side thereof; andmeans for inserting data associated with write requests from the host computer in duplicate locations within the portion of said buffer memory dedicated for write data recordation whereby data is concurrently handled in mirrored fashion within the portion of said buffer memory dedicated to said host computer write requests and in a higher bandwidth non-mirror fashion in the portion of said buffer memory dedicated to said host computer read requests.