Secondary storage facility for data processing
AssigneeDigital Equipment Corporation
InventorStephen R. Jenkins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A controller for use in a data processing system for coupling a direct access storage element to the system. The controller contains a control path for routing control information from the system to various circuits in the controller and designated storage elements to enable a transfer of data stored on the medium over a data path in the controller. The controller data path also couples the medium to the system and includes a switching network which permits the data to be selectively coupled to or from one of two separate system buses. Control information routed to the controller identifies the system to be involved in a transfer and routing circuits in the controller provide the connection between the controller and designated systems.
Claims22
A controller for a secondary storage facility in a data processing system, said controller being adapted for connection to first and second system buses connected to addressed storage locations and at least one drive including direct access storage means and said controller comprising:
- A. buffer storage means for data,
- B. means for transmitting address signals for identifying an addressed storage location connected to a system bus,
- C. means for transmitting control signals for effecting a system bus data transfer between said controller and the system buses
- D. means for transferring data between a drive and said buffer storage means,
- E. register means for assuming at least two states,
- F. first routing means connected to said address signal transmitting means, said control signal transmitting means and said buffer storage means for transferring address signals to and control signals and data to and from the first system bus in response to a first state of said register means, and
- G. second routing means connected to said address signal transmitting means, said control signal transmitting means and said buffer storage means for transferring address signals to and control signals and data to or from the second system bus in response to a second state of said register means.
A controller for a secondary storage facility in a data processing system, said controller being adapted for connection to a system bus and to at least one drive including direct access storage means and said controller comprising:
- A. buffer storage means for data,
- B. means for transferring data between the drive and said buffer storage means, and
- C. means for transferring data between said buffer storage means and the system bus including:
- i. monitoring means for indicating whether said buffer storage means is conditioned for a data transfer to or from the system bus,
- ii. means for transmitting an interruption request signal to initiate a data transfer operation over the system bus,
- iii. means for transmitting a data strobing signal during each system bus data transfer operation in response to a system bus control signal,
- iv. means for terminating the interruption request signal in response to a signal from said data strobing means, and
- v. disabling means responsive during a first data strobing signal after an interruption request signal is transmitted for being activated to disable said terminating means when said monitoring means indicates said buffer storage means is conditioned for a data transfer.
A data processing system comprising:
- A. first and second system buses for transferring address, control and data signals,
- B. addressed storage locations connected to each of said first and second system buses,
- C. a plurality of direct access storage units for storing data, and
- D. a controller coupling selectively said first and second buses and at least one said direct access storage units for controlling data transfers between said addressed storage locations connected to a selected one of said buses and one of said direct access storage units, said controller including:
- i. buffer storage means for data,
- ii. means for transmitting address signals for identifying an addressed storage location on a system bus,
- iii. means for transmitting control signals for effecting a system bus data transfer between said controller and system bus,
- iv. means for transferring data between one of said direct access storage units and said buffer storage means, and
- v. register means for assuming at least two states,
- vi. first routing means connected to said address signal transmitting means, said control signal transmitting means and said buffer storage means for transferring address signals to and control signals and data to and from the first system bus in response to a first state of said register means, and
- vii. second routing means connected to said address signal transmitting means, said control signal transmitting means and said buffer storage means for transferring address signals to and control signals and data to or from the second system bus in response to a second state of said register means.
A data processing system comprising
- A. a system bus for transferring address, control and data signals,
- B. addressed storage locations connected to said system bus,
- C. a plurality of direct access storage units for storing data, and
- D. a controller for coupling said system bus and at least one of said direct access storage units for controlling data transfers between said addressed storage locations and one of said direct access storage units, said controller including:
- i. buffer storage means for data,
- ii. means for transferring data between one of said memory units and said buffer storage means, and
- iii. means for transferring data between said buffer storage means and said system bus including:
- a. monitoring means for indicating whether said buffer storage means is conditioned for a data transfer to or from said system bus,
- b. means for transmitting an interruption request signal to initiate a data transfer operation over said system bus,
- c. means for transmitting a data strobing signal during each data transfer operation in response to a system bus control signal,
- d. means for terminating the interruption request signal in response to a signal from said data strobing means, and
- e. disabling means responsive during a first data strobing signal after an interruption request signal is transmitted for being activated to disable said terminating means when said monitoring means indicates said buffer storage means is conditioned for a data transfer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.