Data storage and data sharing in a network of heterogeneous computers
AssigneeNetwork Disk, Inc.
InventorIlya Gertner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A network of PCs includes an I/O channel adapter and network adapter, and is configured for management of a distributed cache memory stored in the plurality of PCs interconnected by the network. The use of standard PCs reduces the cost of the data storage system. The use of the network of PCs permits building large, high-performance, data storage systems.
Claims17
A data storage system for use in a first computer connected to a network comprising a plurality of other computers, each computer on the network storing data in a respective data format, the storage system comprising:
- (1) management software enabling any other computer connected to the network to access data stored on the first computer;
- and
- (2) translation software for translating the accessed data into a format compatible with the other computer.
A data sharing system for use in a first computer connected to a network comprising a plurality of other computers, each computer on the network storing data in a respective data format, the sharing system comprising a plurality of computers intercommunicating on the computer network, each computer comprising a virtual device that itself comprises a translation module for translating between a native data format and a data format of at least one other computer connected to the network.
A method of storing and retrieving data in a first computer connected to a network comprising a plurality of other computers, each computer on the network storing data in a respective data format, the method comprising the steps of:
- (1) receiving on the first computer a data request from a second computer over the network;
- (2) causing the first computer to respond to the request by translating the requested data into a format compatible with the second computer;
- and
- (3) causing the first computer to make the translated data available to the second computer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.