Disk array controller with parity capabilities
AssigneeCompaq Computer Corporation
InventorsRyan A. Callison, Thomas W. Grieff, Kenneth L. Bush
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A disk array controller includes a local microprocessor, a bus master interface, a compatible interface, buffer memory and a disk interface. The controller includes a DMA controller between the microprocessor, the bus master interface, the compatibility interface and the buffer memory. DMA controllers are also provided between the disk interface and the buffer memory. One of these DMA channels includes an XOR engine used to develop parity information used with the disk array. The various DMA controllers are cycled to allow access to the buffer memory and the disk interface.
Claims17
A disk data controller in a computer system for transferring data with a plurality of individual disk drives forming a disk array in a computer system, comprising:
- buffer memory for storing data to be transferred to or transferred from the disk drives in the disk array;
- a plurality of means for controlling data to be transferred to or transferred from the disk drives in the disk array;
- means coupled to the disk array and said plurality of means for controlling data transfer with the disk drives for selecting which of said plurality of means for controlling data transfer with the disk drives may transfer data with the disk drives in the disk array and for passing said data between said selected means for controlling data transfer with the disk drives and the disk drives in the disk array;
- and
- means coupled to said buffer memory and said plurality of means for controlling data transfer with the disk drives for selecting which of said plurality of means for controlling data transfer with the disk drives may transfer data with said buffer memory and for passing data between said selected means for controlling data transfer with the disk drives and said buffer memory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.