Data retention system with a plurality of access protocols
OwnerRichard Henze, Padmanabha Venkitakrishnan +3inventors
InventorsRichard Henze, Padmanabha Venkitakrishnan, Scott Marovich, Pankaj Mehra, Samuel Fineberg
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Abstract
A data retention system is described that has a plurality of access protocols. The system comprises a memory store accessible through a virtual address space, a controller communicatively coupled to the memory store, and an interface. The controller is adapted to implement a memory access protocol for accessing at least a first portion of the virtual address space and a secondary storage protocol for accessing at least a second portion of the virtual address space. The interface is communicatively coupled to the controller, and is able to be communicatively coupled to a communications link.
Claims55
A system for data retention with a plurality of access protocols, comprising
- a memory store accessible through a virtual address space,
- a controller communicatively coupled to the memory store, said controller being adapted to implement a memory access protocol for accessing at least a first portion of the virtual address space and a secondary storage protocol for accessing at least a second portion of the virtual address space, and
- an interface communicatively coupled to the controller, and able to be communicatively coupled to a communications link.
A storage device comprising:
- a non-volatile memory communicatively coupled to a controller, and
- at least one interface communicatively coupled to the controller for connecting the controller to a network,
- the controller being able to provide at least a memory access protocol for accessing data in the non-volatile memory over the network and a mass storage protocol for accessing data in the non-volatile memory over the network.
A method for accessing a network-connected storage unit, comprising:
- providing a controller responsive to a plurality of access protocols comprising at least a memory protocol and a storage protocol,
- assigning a selected access protocol to a memory address range of the storage unit,
- receiving a command at a management interface for the controller, and
- executing the command compatibly with the selected access protocol.
A computer-readable medium containing a set of instructions for accessing a storage unit, the set of instructions comprising steps for:
- responding to a plurality of access protocols comprising at least a memory protocol and a storage protocol,
- assigning a selected access protocol to a memory address range of the storage unit,
- receiving an storage access command, and
- executing the storage access command according to the selected access protocol.
A data storage appliance, comprising:
- a data storage means for storing data,
- a controller means for accessing at least a first portion of the data according to a memory access protocol, and for accessing at least a second portion of the data according to a mass storage protocol, and
- an interface means for facilitating communications between the controller means and a communications link.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.