US5892969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for concurrently executing a configured string of concurrent I/O command blocks within a chain to perform a raid 5 I/O operation
Assignee: Microsemi Storage Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1996-03-15
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Granted: 1999-04-06
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Expires: 2016-03-15
Abstract
Abstract An I/O command block, that is stored in a memory, includes information for connecting the I/O command block to other I/O command blocks in a chain structure. The I/O command block chain structure allows simultaneity of execution, provides a mechanism to inhibit and enable execution of an individual I/O command block, and a mechanism for establishing precedence in the sequence of execution of the I/O command blocks. A plurality of I/O command blocks are configured into a chain of I/O command blocks in a memory where each I/O command block includes one of the plurality of I/O commands necessary to perform a RAID 5 I/O operation. A set of the I/O command blocks in the chain are configured so that the set of I/O command blocks are enabled to execute concurrently, i.e., the set of I/O command blocks are a concurrent string of I/O command blocks. The chain of I/O command blocks is executed in a sequence that is specified and controlled only by information in the I/O command blocks to perform the RAID 5 operation. For a RAID 5 write sequence, the string of concurrent I/O command blocks includes an I/O command block for a read data disk, and an I/O command block for a read parity disk. Also, one of the I/O command blocks in the chain is configured as an offshoot command block from one of the I/O command blocks in the string of concurrent I/O command blocks.
Inventors
- 👤 B. Arlen Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:17
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/10; G06F13/12; G06F13/124; G06F13/126; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/08; G06F11/10; G06F11/1076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for controlling a sequence of execution of a plurality of I/O commands that perform a RAID 5 I/O operation: configuring a plurality of I/O command blocks into a chain of I/O command blocks in a memory; wherein each I/O command block includes one of said plurality of I/O commands that perform said RAID 5 I/O operation; and said configuring said plurality of command blocks further comprises: configuring a set of said I/O command blocks in said chain so that said set of I/O command blocks are enabled to execute concurrently wherein said set of I/O command blocks are a string of concurrent I/O command blocks; and configuring a plurality of pointer storage locations in each of said I/O command blocks to define said chain of I/O command blocks; executing said chain of I/O command blocks in a sequence that is specified and controlled only by information in said I/O command blocks to perform said RAID 5 operation; wherein executing said chain of I/O command blocks includes execution of said string of concurrent I/O command blocks concurrently.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for controlling a sequence of execution of a plurality of I/O commands that perform a RAID 5 I/O operation: configuring a plurality of I/O command blocks into a chain of I/O command blocks in a memory; wherein each I/O command block includes one of said plurality of I/O commands that perform said RAID 5 I/O operation; and said configuring said plurality of command blocks further comprises: configuring a set of said I/O command blocks in said chain so that said set of I/O command blocks are enabled to execute concurrently wherein said set of I/O command blocks are a string of concurrent I/O command blocks; and configuring a plurality of pointer storage locations in each of said I/O command blocks to define said chain of I/O command blocks; executing said chain of I/O command blocks in a sequence that is specified and controlled only by information in said I/O command blocks to perform said RAID 5 operation; wherein executing said chain of I/O command blocks includes execution of said string of concurrent I/O command blocks concurrently.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said RAID 5 I/O operation is a RAID 5 write sequence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said string of concurrent I/O command blocks includes an I/O command block for a read data disk, and an I/O command block for a read parity disk.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 2 wherein configuring a plurality of I/O command blocks into a chain of I/O command blocks in a memory further comprises: configuring one of said I/O command blocks in said chain as an offshoot command block from one of said I/O command blocks in said string of concurrent I/O command blocks.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 4 wherein configuring a plurality of I/O command blocks into a chain of I/O command blocks in a memory further comprises: configuring one of said I/O command blocks as a focal command block for said string of concurrent I/O command blocks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said focal command block is an I/O command block for a write parity disk.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 4 wherein configuring a plurality of I/O command blocks into a chain of I/O command blocks in a memory further comprises: configuring one of said I/O command blocks in said string of concurrent I/O command blocks as a skipped I/O command block.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 4 wherein configuring a plurality of I/O command blocks into a chain of I/O command blocks in a memory further comprises: configuring one of said I/O command blocks in said chain as an end of chain command block.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said end of chain command block is said offshoot command block.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said end of chain command block is an I/O command block for a write data disk.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said RAID 5 operation is any one of a RAID 5 read sequence with a bad target and a RAID 5 read sequence to replace a bad target.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said string of concurrent I/O command blocks includes a plurality of I/O read commands for target devices.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 11 wherein configuring a plurality of I/O command blocks into a chain of I/O command blocks in a memory further comprises: configuring one of said I/O command blocks as a focal command block for said string of concurrent I/O command blocks.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said focal command block is an I/O command block for a write to a data buffer memory.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 11 wherein configuring a plurality of I/O command blocks into a chain of I/O command blocks in a memory further comprises: configuring one of said I/O command blocks in said string of concurrent I/O command blocks as a skipped I/O command block.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 11 wherein configuring a plurality of I/O command blocks into a chain of I/O command blocks in a memory further comprises: configuring one of said I/O command blocks in said chain as an end of chain command block.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-04-05 | 2002-10-05 | 2003-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-05 | 2006-10-05 | 2007-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-05 | 2010-10-05 | 2011-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |