Parallel I/O network file server architecture

A network file server for use with a data network and a mass storage device, said network file server including a first unit comprising:

• means for decoding file system requests from said network;
• means for performing procedures for satisfying said file system requests, including accessing said mass storage device if required;
• and
• means for encoding any file system reply messages for return transmission on said network,
• said first unit lacking means to execute any user-provided application programs on said first unit.

A network file server for use with a data network and a mass storage device, said network file server comprising:

• a network control module, including a network interface coupled to receive file system requests from said network;
• a file system control module, including a mass storage device interface coupled to said mass storage device;
• and
• a communication path coupled directly between said network control module and said file system control module, said communication path carrying file retrieval requests prepared by said network control module in response to received file system requests to retrieve specified retrieval data from said mass storage device,
• said file system control module retrieving said specified retrieval data from said mass storage device in response to said file retrieval requests and returning said specified retrieval data to said network control module,
• and said network control module preparing reply messages containing said specified retrieval data from said file system control module for return transmission on said network.

A method for processing requests from a data network, for use by a network file server including a network control module coupled to receive file system requests from said network and a file system control module coupled to said mass storage device, comprising the steps of:

• said network control module preparing file retrieval requests in response to received file system requests to retrieve specified retrieval data from said mass storage device;
• said network control module communicating said file retrieval requests directly to said file system control module;
• said file system control module retrieving said specified retrieval data from said mass storage device in response to said file retrieval requests and returning said specified retrieval data to said network control module;
• and
• said network control module preparing reply messages containing said specified retrieval data from said file system control module for return transmission on said network.