초록 ▼

A universal storage management system which facilitates storage of data from a client computer and computer network is disclosed. The universal storage management system functions as an interface between the client computer and at least one storage device, and facilitates reading and writing of data

A universal storage management system which facilitates storage of data from a client computer and computer network is disclosed. The universal storage management system functions as an interface between the client computer and at least one storage device, and facilitates reading and writing of data by handling I/O operations. I/O operation overhead in the client computer is reduced by translating I/O commands from the client computer into high level commands which are employed by the storage management system to carry out I/O operations. The storage management system also enables interconnection of a normally incompatible storage device and client computer by translating I/O requests into an intermediate common format which is employed to generate commands which are compatible with the storage device receiving the request. Files, error messages and other information from the storage device are similarly translated and provided to the client computer.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A device for providing an interface between at least one client computer and at least one storage device, the client computer having a first microprocessor for running a software application and a first operating system which produce I/O commands, the storage device containing

What is claimed is: 1. A device for providing an interface between at least one client computer and at least one storage device, the client computer having a first microprocessor for running a software application and a first operating system which produce I/O commands, the storage device containing at least one file, comprising:a file management system operative to convert the I/O commands from the software application and said first operating system in the client computer to high level commands to a selected format, said file management system further operative to receive said high level commands and convert said high level commands to compatible I/O commands;a second microprocessor operative to execute said high level commands received from said file management system and access the storage device to copy data in said intermediate common format from the client computer to at least one storage device wherein said second microprocessor employs a second operating system distinct from said first operating system; anda file device driver interfacing said first operating system and the file management system by functioning to receive data and commands from the client computer and redirect the received data and commands to said file management system.