Serial connection small computer system interface expander and data forwarding method

Abstract

The present application discloses a serial connection small computer system interface expander and a data forwarding method, relating to the field of computer technology. The expander includes: N serial connection small computer system interfaces, which are used to connect at least one storage device and at least one hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; a processor, which is used to run a program to execute: data forwarding between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and / or data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device; a memory, which is used to store relevant information about the program and the interface; and a debugging serial port, which is used to configure the N interfaces. The serial connection small computer system interface expander is used to increase the number of hard disk expansion cabinets connected to the storage device as much as possible to expand the storage capacity, while improving the tolerance of the connection between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet to serial connection small computer system interface line failures.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of computer technology, and in particular to a serial connection small computer system interface expander and a data forwarding method. Background Art

[0002] Storage devices expand storage capacity by connecting hard drive expansion cabinets to increase the number of hard drives. In related technologies, the hard drive expansion cabinets and storage devices can be connected in parallel or in series via a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) cable, where SCSI stands for Small Computer System Interface (SCSI). If the hard drive expansion cabinet and the storage device are connected in parallel, the number of hard drive expansion cabinets connected to the storage device is limited due to the limited number of SAS cables on the storage device. If the hard drive expansion cabinet and the storage device are connected in series, if the SAS cable fails, the hard drive expansion cabinet connected to the failed SAS cable and subsequent hard drive expansion cabinets connected in series will be degraded or lost. Neither series nor parallel connection can maximize the number of hard drive expansion cabinets connected to the storage device to expand storage capacity while improving the tolerance of the connection between the storage device and the hard drive expansion cabinet to SAS cable failures. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application provides a serial connection small computer system interface expander and a data forwarding method to at least solve the problem in the related art that it is difficult to increase the number of hard disk expansion cabinets connected to the storage device as much as possible while improving the tolerance of the connection between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet to serial connection small computer system interface line failures.

[0004] The present application provides a serial connection small computer system interface expander, comprising:

[0005] N serial connection small computer system interfaces, used to connect at least one storage device and at least one hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, wherein one serial connection small computer system interface is connected to one device, and N is a positive integer greater than 1;

[0006] A processor, configured to run a program to execute: data forwarding between a storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and / or data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device;

[0007] A memory for storing programs and related information of N serially connected small computer system interfaces;

[0008] The debug serial port is used to configure N serial-connected small computer system interfaces.

[0009] The present application also provides a storage system comprising at least one of the above-mentioned serial small computer system interface expanders, at least one storage device, and at least one hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device.

[0010] Each storage device is connected to one or more SASSI expanders via a SASSI line;

[0011] Each hard disk expansion cabinet is connected to a serial connection small computer system interface expander through a serial connection small computer system interface line.

[0012] The present application also provides a data forwarding method based on any of the above-mentioned serial connection small computer system interface expanders, comprising:

[0013] Perform data forwarding between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and / or data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device.

[0014] By using the serial connection minicomputer system interface expander provided in the present application, a storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device can be connected, and data forwarding between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device and / or data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device can be performed. In the case where the storage device needs to increase the connected hard disk expansion cabinets to expand the storage space, the serial connection minicomputer system interface expander can effectively increase the number of hard disk expansion cabinets connected to the storage device and reduce the impact of the serial connection minicomputer system interface line failure on the connection between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet. Therefore, the technical effect of increasing the number of hard disk expansion cabinets connected to the storage device as much as possible while improving the tolerance of the connection between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet to the serial connection minicomputer system interface line failure can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the serial connection of hard disk expansion cabinets provided for related technologies;

[0017] Figure 2This is one of the structural diagrams of the serial small computer system interface expander provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0018] Figure 3 A second structural diagram of a Serial Small Computer System Interface expander provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0019] Figure 4 One of the usage scenario diagrams of the Serial Small Computer System Interface expander provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0020] Figure 5 Figure 2 of a usage scenario of the Serial Small Computer System Interface expander provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0021] Figure 6 The third structural diagram of the Serial Small Computer System Interface expander provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0022] Figure 7 A fourth structural diagram of a serial small computer system interface expander provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0023] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of a storage system provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0024] Figure 9 A flowchart of a data forwarding method provided in some embodiments of the present application.

[0025] Description of reference numerals:

[0026] 100: Serial link small computer system interface expander;

[0027] 101: Serial Small Computer System Interface; 102: Processor; 103: Memory;

[0028] 104: Debug serial port; 105: Mainboard; 106: Cooling module; 107: Power module;

[0029] 200: Storage device; 300: Hard disk expansion cabinet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0031] It should be noted that, in the description of this application, the terms "comprises," "includes," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. The terms "first," "second," etc., in this application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a particular order or sequence.

[0032] A hard drive expansion cabinet consists of a motherboard, backplane, Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) card, power supply, and other components. It can typically support 12 3.5-inch or 25 2.5-inch hard drives. The hard drive expansion cabinet lacks a central processing unit (CPU) and requires a SAS cable (referred to in this application as a SAS cable) to connect to the SAS card of the storage device to establish a hardware link with the storage device's motherboard. The hard drive expansion cabinet relies on the storage device to manage and use the hard drives. The SAS is also known as the Serial Attached SCSI interface, where SCSI stands for Small Computer System Interface (SCSI).

[0033] Hard drive expansion enclosures can be connected to the storage device's Serial Attached Minicomputer System Interface (SASI) card in either parallel or series. Parallel connection means that multiple hard drive expansion enclosures are independently connected to the storage device's SASI card via SAS cables. However, the number of SASI cards in a storage device and the number of SAS interfaces within the SASI card are limited. This also limits the number of hard drive expansion enclosures that can be connected to the storage device in parallel. To manage more hard drives, a series connection is typically used. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the serial connection of hard disk expansion cabinets provided by the related technology. Figure 1As shown, after the storage device is connected to the first hard disk expansion cabinet, the second hard disk expansion cabinet is connected to the remaining serial connection small computer system interface of the first hard disk expansion cabinet through the serial connection small computer system interface line. Through the above-mentioned serial link method, the number of hard disk expansion cabinets connected can reach more than 40, which can meet the common large-scale data storage needs. However, the serial connection method has low tolerance for serial connection small computer system interface line failure (that is, the failure of the serial connection small computer system interface line has a great impact on the connection between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet). In the event of a failure in the serial connection small computer system interface line, the hard disk expansion cabinet connected to the serial connection small computer system interface line and the subsequent serial hard disk expansion cabinets will be degraded or lost. Figure 1 For example, if the serial small computer system interface cable connecting the storage device and the first hard disk expansion cabinet fails, the connection between the storage device and the second hard disk expansion cabinet will also be affected.

[0034] The serial connection minicomputer system interface cable itself contains multiple sub-wires, which are relatively thick and difficult to bend, making it inconvenient to cut and reconnect. When connecting or disconnecting storage devices and hard disk expansion cabinets to change the connection relationship, manual deployment of the serial connection minicomputer system interface cable can easily lead to irregular layout and accidental contact between serial connection minicomputer system interface cables.

[0035] The present application solves or partially solves the above-mentioned problems. In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0036] Figure 2 This is one of the structural diagrams of the serial connection small computer system interface expander provided in some embodiments of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander 100 includes:

[0037] N serial connection small computer system interfaces 101, used to connect at least one storage device and at least one hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, wherein one serial connection small computer system interface 101 is connected to one device, and N is a positive integer greater than 1;

[0038] The processor 102 is configured to run a program to execute: data forwarding between a storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and / or data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device;

[0039] The memory 103 is used to store programs and information related to the N serial small computer system interfaces 101;

[0040] The debugging serial port 104 is used to configure N serial connection small computer system interfaces 101 .

[0041] A hard drive expansion cabinet typically includes multiple hard drive slots, allowing storage capacity to be expanded by inserting additional hard drives. Common hard drive expansion cabinets, such as Just a Bunch of Disks (JBOD), combine multiple independent hard drives to form a larger logical storage unit.

[0042] A storage device (which may be referred to as storage for short) refers to a device used to store and manage data, providing functions such as data storage, writing, and reading. The storage device includes components such as a storage controller and a serial connection minicomputer system interface card, which is connected to the hard disk expansion cabinet via the serial connection minicomputer system interface in the serial connection minicomputer system interface card, and can perform data forwarding (data forwarding between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet, and / or data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets connected to the storage device) through the storage controller to manage the hard disk expansion cabinet and achieve expansion of storage capacity. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit the specific type or technical implementation of the storage device.

[0043] The relevant information of the Serial Connect SCSI interface 101 includes hardware connection information of the Serial Connect SCSI interface, configuration information of the Serial Connect SCSI interface, and a routing mapping address table of the Serial Connect SCSI interface. In some embodiments, the processor 102 may forward data between devices connected to each Serial Connect SCSI interface 101 based on the relevant information of each Serial Connect SCSI interface 101.

[0044] The debug serial port 104 is used to configure N serial-connected small computer system interfaces (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interfaces) 101. In some embodiments, a user is allowed to write configuration files or configuration information through the debug serial port 104 to configure each Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface). The configuration files or configuration information may include the serial number of the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface), the activity status of the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface), the type of the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface), the data tag of the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface), and the speed of the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface). By configuring each Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface) 101 through the debug serial port 104, the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface) expander 100 can be applied to different business scenarios.

[0045] In the related art, the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet are directly connected in series or parallel, and the storage device directly manages the connected hard disk expansion cabinet. In the embodiment of the present application, the serial connection small computer system interface expander 100 can be understood as an intermediate node connecting the storage device and the hard disk expander. Specifically, the storage device and the hard disk expander are respectively connected to different serial connection small computer system interfaces 101 of the serial connection small computer system interface expander 100, and the processor 102 in the serial connection small computer system interface expander 100 performs data forwarding between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet, and / or performs data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets when the storage device manages multiple hard disk expansion cabinets. It can be understood that the processor 102 executes the data forwarding service (task) originally performed by the storage device, so that the data forwarding between the hard disk expansion cabinets hardly occupies the processing resources of the storage device, has the advantage of decentralization, reduces the occupation of the storage device processing resources by data forwarding, and can effectively improve the business processing efficiency of the storage device.

[0046] Figure 3 This is a second structural diagram of a serial connection small computer system interface expander provided in some embodiments of the present application. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface) 101, processor 102, memory 103 and debug serial port 104 mentioned above are all arranged on a mainboard 105 of the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface) expander.

[0047] Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander 100 includes N SAS interfaces 101, where N is a positive integer greater than 1. Typically, N is a value greater than the number of SAS interfaces provided by the storage device itself, enabling SAS expander 100 to maximize the number of hard disk expansion enclosures that can be connected to and managed by the storage device. For example, in some embodiments, the value of N is 48.

[0048] In some embodiments, the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SASI) 101 of the SAS expander 100 is simultaneously connected to multiple storage devices and multiple hard drive expansion cabinets. Each storage device manages a different hard drive expansion cabinet. A storage device and all the hard drive cabinets managed by it can be considered a group. The specific grouping is typically specified by the user, for example, by the user pre-writing it into the SASI-related information stored in the memory 103. Based on this relevant information, the processor 102 can implement data isolation between different groups and data forwarding within the same group (specifically, this can be achieved by adding data tags to data packets entering each SASI).

[0049] In some embodiments, the Serial Small Computer System Interface (Serial Small Computer System Interface) 101 of the Serial Small Computer System Interface (Serial Small Computer System Interface) expander 100 is also connected to other Serial Small Computer System Interface (Serial Small Computer System Interface) expanders, and other Serial Small Computer System Interface (Serial Small Computer System Interface) expanders can also be connected to more storage devices or hardware expansion cabinets, further increasing the number of hard disk expansion cabinets connected to and managed by the storage device.

[0050] The serial connection small computer system interface 101 and each device are connected via a serial connection small computer system interface line. In the embodiment of the present application, if a serial connection small computer system interface line fails, it will generally only affect the storage device or hard disk expansion cabinet connected to the failed serial connection small computer system interface line, and will not affect the storage devices or hard disk expansion cabinets of other serial connection small computer system interfaces 101 connected to the serial connection small computer system interface expander 100. Even if the other end of the failed serial connection small computer system interface line is connected to another serial connection small computer system interface expander, resulting in the loss of storage devices or hardware expansion cabinets connected to other serial connection small computer system interface expanders, compared to the related art in which the failure is spread due to series connection (all subsequent hard disk expansion cabinets of the failed serial connection small computer system interface line are degraded or lost), the impact of the serial connection small computer system interface line failure on the connection between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet is still reduced. The serial connection small computer system interface expander 100 provided by the embodiment of the present application effectively improves the tolerance of the connection between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet to the failure of the serial connection small computer system interface line.

[0051] The serial connection small computer system interface expander includes N serial connection small computer system interfaces, which are used to connect at least one storage device and at least one hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device. The processor of the serial connection small computer system interface expander executes data forwarding between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet and between different hard disk expansion cabinets, wherein N is a positive integer greater than 1. When N is relatively large, the storage device can be connected to and managed with as many hard disk expansion cabinets as possible through the serial connection small computer system interface expander, which effectively increases the number of hard disk expansion cabinets that the storage device can connect to and expands the storage capacity. Although a direct series connection between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet can also effectively expand the storage capacity, it cannot solve the problem of being greatly affected by a failure of the serial connection small computer system interface line. In the above technical solution, Each serial-connected small computer system interface expander is respectively connected to a storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device. Even if a fault occurs in the serial-connected small computer system interface line used for connection, it will usually only affect one storage device or hard disk expansion cabinet connected to the faulty serial-connected small computer system interface line, thereby effectively reducing the impact of the serial-connected small computer system interface line failure, that is, improving the tolerance to the serial-connected small computer system interface line failure. In summary, the serial-connected small computer system interface expander provided in the embodiment of the present application can achieve the goal of increasing the number of hard disk expansion cabinets connected to the storage device as much as possible to expand the storage capacity, while improving the tolerance of the connection between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet to the serial-connected small computer system interface line failure.

[0052] In some embodiments of the present application, the relevant information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces 101 includes hardware connection information of each serial connection small computer system interface 101, and the processor 102 is further configured to:

[0053] Determining a physically connected SAS 101 based on hardware connection information of each SAS 101;

[0054] Sending a session message to a peer device connected to the Serial Small Computer System Interface 101 having a physical connection, and receiving a session response message sent by the peer device;

[0055] Determine the type of the peer device based on the session response message;

[0056] According to the type of the opposite end device, a type tag is added to each physically connected Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface 101. The type tag is used to identify the type of device connected to the source Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface during data forwarding.

[0057] The hardware connection information of each serial connection small computer system interface 101 indicates the physical connection status of each serial connection small computer system interface 101. In the embodiment of the present application, the hardware connection information of each serial connection small computer system interface 101 indicates whether each serial connection small computer system interface 101 is physically connected to the opposite end device through the serial connection small computer system interface line.

[0058] A session message is sent to the opposite device connected to the physical SAS interface 101, and the opposite device returns a session response message after receiving the session message. The processor 102 parses and determines the type of the opposite device based on the received session response message.

[0059] As in the aforementioned embodiment, the peer device connected to the Serial Small Computer System Interface 101 may be a storage device, a hard disk expansion cabinet, or other Serial Small Computer System Interface expander. Optionally, a type label is added to each Serial Small Computer System Interface 101 with a physical connection based on the type of the peer device. For example, if the peer device connected to the Serial Small Computer System Interface 101 is a storage device, the type label of the Serial Small Computer System Interface 101 is Storage; if the peer device connected to the Serial Small Computer System Interface 101 is a hard disk expansion cabinet, the type label of the Serial Small Computer System Interface 101 is Expansion Cabinet; if the peer device connected to the Serial Small Computer System Interface 101 is a Serial Small Computer System Interface expander 100, the type label of the Serial Small Computer System Interface 101 is Serial Small Computer System Interface expander.

[0060] It is understandable that, since the types of peer devices connected to each serial connection small computer system interface 101 are different and there are multiple application scenarios, each serial connection small computer system interface 101 may serve as a source serial connection small computer system interface or as a destination serial connection small computer system interface during the data forwarding process. In the case where the serial connection small computer system interface 101 serves as a source serial connection small computer system interface, the added type tag can be used to accurately identify the type of the peer device connected to the source serial connection small computer system interface during the data forwarding process. This eliminates the need to identify the type of device connected to the source serial connection small computer system interface during the data forwarding process, and also avoids problems such as data errors caused by misidentification of the peer device type during the data forwarding process, thereby helping to improve the reliability and efficiency of the processor 102 in performing data forwarding.

[0061] The relevant information of the serial-connected small computer system interface provided in the embodiment of the present application includes the hardware connection information of each serial-connected small computer system interface. The hardware connection information of each serial-connected small computer system interface can be used to determine the serial-connected small computer system interface with a physical connection, and then the type of the opposite device can be determined by sending a session message to the opposite device connected to the serial-connected small computer system interface with a physical connection, thereby adding a type tag to each serial-connected small computer system interface with a physical connection. During data forwarding, when the serial-connected small computer system interface serving as the source serial-connected small computer system interface has a type tag added, the type of the device connected to the source serial-connected small computer system interface can be more effectively identified, which helps to improve the reliability and efficiency of data forwarding.

[0062] In some embodiments of the present application, the related information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces 101 further includes first configuration information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces 101, and the processor 102 is further configured to:

[0063] According to the first configuration information of the N SASs 101 , data tags corresponding to data packets entering each SAS with physical connection are determined. The data tags are used to identify the storage device to which the data forwarding process belongs.

[0064] The serial-connected minicomputer system interface expander 100 includes N serial-connected minicomputer system interfaces 101. These serial-connected minicomputer system interfaces 101 can be used to connect to storage devices, hardware expansion cabinets managed by storage devices, or other serial-connected minicomputer system interface expanders. Therefore, it is possible that the opposite-end devices connected to multiple serial-connected minicomputer system interfaces 101 are all storage devices. However, under normal circumstances, data forwarding is not performed between a storage device and a hard disk expander not managed by the storage device, or between hard disk expanders managed by different storage devices. Therefore, before executing data forwarding, the processor 102 needs to determine the data tags corresponding to the data packets entering each (physically connected) serial-connected minicomputer system interface based on the first configuration information of the N serial-connected minicomputer system interfaces. These data tags represent the storage device to which the data forwarding process belongs. The processor 102 can then execute data forwarding based on the data tags to prevent data (data packets) from being erroneously forwarded to a storage device that is not currently forwarded or to a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device.

[0065] Figure 4 This is one of the usage scenario diagrams of the serial small computer system interface expander provided in some embodiments of the present application. Figure 4The partial Serial Connection Small Computer System Interface 101 of the Serial Connection Small Computer System Interface expander 100 is used to connect the storage device 200 and the hard disk expansion cabinet 300 managed by the storage device.

[0066] like Figure 4 As shown, the first storage device manages the first hard disk expansion cabinet and the second hard disk expansion cabinet. The storage device to which the data forwarding process between the first storage device, the first hard disk expansion cabinet and the second hard disk expansion cabinet belongs is the first storage device, and the corresponding data label is 1001;

[0067] The second storage device manages the third hard disk expansion cabinet and the fourth hard disk expansion cabinet. The storage device to which the data forwarding process between the second storage device, the third hard disk expansion cabinet and the fourth hard disk expansion cabinet belongs is the second storage device, and the corresponding data label is 1002.

[0068] According to the first configuration information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces 101, the data tag corresponding to the data packet entering each serial connection small computer system interface can be determined. Figure 4 For example, the opposite device connected to the serial small computer system interface 1 and the serial small computer system interface 2 is the first storage device, the opposite device connected to the serial small computer system interface 3 and the serial small computer system interface 4 is the first hard disk expansion cabinet, and the opposite device connected to the serial small computer system interface 5 and the serial small computer system interface 6 is the second hard disk expansion cabinet. Since the first storage device manages the first hard disk expansion cabinet and the second hard disk expansion cabinet, the first configuration information of the N serial small computer system interfaces 101 indicates that the data label corresponding to the serial small computer system interface 1, the serial small computer system interface 2, the serial small computer system interface 3, the serial small computer system interface 4, the serial small computer system interface 5 and the serial small computer system interface 6 is 1001, so that the processor 102 can determine that the data label corresponding to the data packet entering the above-mentioned serial small computer system interface is 1001 according to the first configuration information.

[0069] Similarly, the first configuration information of the serial connection small computer system interface indicates that the data tag corresponding to serial connection small computer system interface 7, serial connection small computer system interface 8, serial connection small computer system interface 9, serial connection small computer system interface 10, serial connection small computer system interface 11 and serial connection small computer system interface 12 is 1002, so that the processor 102 can determine that the data packet entering the above-mentioned serial connection small computer system interface corresponds to the data tag 1002 based on the first configuration information.

[0070] The first configuration information can be configured by the user through the debug serial port 104. After determining the connection relationship between the storage devices and hard disk expansion enclosures connected to each serial-connected SCSI interface 101, the user determines the first configuration information and writes it through the debug serial port 104, thereby allowing the processor 102 to obtain the first configuration information. In the first configuration information, the data labels corresponding to the serial-connected SCSI interfaces 101 connected to the same group of devices (the storage device and the hard disk expansion enclosure managed by the storage device are considered a group) are the same.

[0071] In other words, if the data tags corresponding to different serial-connected small computer system interfaces in the first configuration information are the same, then the devices connected to these serial-connected small computer system interfaces can be recognized as the same group of devices. Therefore, by modifying the first configuration information of the serial-connected small computer system interface, the connection relationship between each storage device connected to the serial-connected small computer system interface and the hard disk expansion cabinet can be configured. Figure 4 Taking the application scenario shown as an example, if the third and fourth hard disk expansion cabinets are currently required to be managed by the first storage device (the first storage device manages the first, second, third, and fourth hard disk expansion cabinets), this can be achieved by modifying the data labels corresponding to Serial Small Computer System Interface 9, Serial Small Computer System Interface 10, Serial Small Computer System Interface 11, and Serial Small Computer System Interface 12 indicated in the first configuration information on an existing basis. The processor 102 can determine, based on the first configuration information, that the data packets entering these Serial Small Computer System Interfaces correspond to the data label 1001. Compared to connecting or disconnecting storage devices and hard disk expansion cabinets to change the connection relationship, modifying the first configuration information avoids irregular layout caused by manual deployment of Serial Small Computer System Interface cables, accidental collision between Serial Small Computer System Interface cables, and other situations, thereby improving the operation and maintenance support capabilities of the Serial Small Computer System Interface expander (the above "1", "2", "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence).

[0072] In an embodiment of the present application, based on the first configuration information of N serially connected small computer system interfaces, the data tags corresponding to the data packets entering each serially connected small computer system interface with a physical connection are determined. The data tags are used to identify the storage device to which the data forwarding process belongs. The processor can execute data forwarding under the storage device to which the data forwarding process belongs according to the data tags, thereby avoiding the error of data in the current data forwarding process being forwarded to other storage devices that do not belong to the current data forwarding process or to the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by other storage devices, thereby realizing the isolation of data forwarding processes under different storage devices.

[0073] In some embodiments, the processor 102 is configured to forward data between the storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and / or forward data between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device, based on the data tag.

[0074] Optionally, processor 102 forwards data between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device based on the data tag. By using the data tag, data can be prevented from being forwarded to storage devices identified by data tags other than the data tag, and data can also be prevented from being forwarded to hard disk expansion cabinets managed by storage devices identified by data tags other than the data tag. This enables the Serial Small Computer System Interface expander to isolate the data forwarding process between multiple storage devices and the multiple hard disk expansion cabinets managed by each storage device, thereby achieving data isolation between different groups.

[0075] Optionally, processor 102 forwards data between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device based on the data tag. By using data tags, data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets with the same data tag is allowed, enabling the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander to forward data between multiple hard disk expansion cabinets managed by multiple storage devices, thus enabling data transfer within the same group.

[0076] Optionally, processor 102 forwards data between the storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device based on the data tag, and forwards data between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device based on the data tag. By using data tags, the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander can isolate different data forwarding processes.

[0077] In the embodiment of the present application, data forwarding between a storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device is performed according to data tags, and / or data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device is performed, so that the serial connection small computer system interface expander can realize data transmission within the same group and data isolation of different groups, so that the serial connection small computer system interface expander can connect multiple storage devices and multiple hard disk expansion cabinets, and can ensure normal data transmission between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet.

[0078] In some embodiments, the processor 102 is specifically configured to:

[0079] Adding data tags to data packets entering each SAS interface 101 having a physical connection;

[0080] Before forwarding the data packet to the destination Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface corresponding to the data packet, a data tag in the data packet is removed.

[0081] When executing data forwarding between a storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and / or data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device, the processor adds a data tag (adding a data tag can be simply referred to as labeling) to the data packets entering each physically connected serial-connected small computer system interface. The data tag identifies the storage device to which the data forwarding process belongs, and can achieve isolation of different data forwarding processes. The data packet with the data tag added is forwarded to the destination serial-connected small computer system interface corresponding to the data packet. Before forwarding, the data tag in the data packet is deleted, so that the data packet entering the destination serial-connected small computer system interface is the original data packet. Therefore, the data packet with the data tag added is only transmitted within the serial-connected small computer system interface expander, which does not increase the processing complexity of the data packet by the device connected to the destination serial-connected small computer system interface, and there is no need to change the code of the device connected to the destination serial-connected small computer system interface.

[0082] In an embodiment of the present application, data tags are added to data packets entering each serial-connected small computer system interface with a physical connection. Before forwarding the data packets to the destination serial-connected small computer system interface corresponding to the data packets, the data tags in the data packets are deleted to prevent the data tags from affecting the recognition of the data packets by the opposite device connected to the destination serial-connected small computer system interface. In this way, data forwarding is achieved under the storage device to which the current data forwarding process belongs.

[0083] In some embodiments of the present application, the related information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces 101 further includes a routing mapping address table of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces 101, and the processor 102 is further configured to:

[0084] Obtaining the sequence number of the destination Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface corresponding to the data packet entering each Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface 101 having a physical connection;

[0085] A routing mapping address table is generated according to the serial number, type tag, data tag of the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface expander 100, the serial number of the physically connected Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface 101, and the serial number of the destination Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface.

[0086] When a data packet enters the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface 101 with a physical connection, the processor 102 needs to obtain the serial number of the destination Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface corresponding to the data packet. This can usually be achieved by parsing the data packet. This application does not specifically limit how to obtain the serial number of the destination Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface.

[0087] The serial number of a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SASI) expander 100 can be used to identify a SASI expander when a storage device is connected to multiple SASI expanders 100. The type tag is used to identify the type of device connected to the source SASI during data forwarding, and the data tag is used to identify the storage device to which the data is forwarded. For detailed explanations of the type and data tags, please refer to the previous embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0088] The data packet enters from the physically connected Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface 101, so at this time the physically connected Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface 101 serves as the source Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface. The serial number of the physically connected Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface 101 is the serial number of the source Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface. The serial number can be confirmed based on the configuration information of the physically connected Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface 101.

[0089] Table 1 is based on Figure 4 A Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) routing mapping address table generated for the SAS expander usage scenario shown. Table 1 shows the data forwarding process between the first storage device, the first hard disk expansion cabinet, and the second hard disk expansion cabinet. The data label for this data forwarding process is 1001 (the data forwarding process between the second storage device, the third hard disk expansion cabinet, and the fourth hard disk expansion cabinet is not shown).

[0090] Table 1 Route mapping address table

[0091]

[0092] In an embodiment of the present application, after obtaining the serial number of the destination serial connection small computer system interface corresponding to the data packet, the processor generates a routing mapping address table based on the serial number, type tag, data tag, serial number of the physically connected serial connection small computer system interface, and serial number of the destination serial connection small computer system interface of the serial connection small computer system interface expander. The routing mapping address table records the forwarding path of the data packet entering the physically connected serial connection small computer system interface (from the source serial connection small computer system interface to the destination serial connection small computer system interface). The routing mapping address table also includes a data tag and a type tag. If the processor performs data forwarding according to the routing mapping address table, it helps to ensure that the data packet is only transmitted between the storage device to which the data forwarding process belongs and the hard disk expansion cabinet it manages, and / or between different hard disk expansion cabinets it manages.

[0093] In some embodiments of the present application, some of the N Serial Attached Small Computer System Interfaces 101 are used to connect to other Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface expanders.

[0094] The processor 102 is further configured to:

[0095] Acquire second configuration information of a plurality of serial-connected small computer system interfaces corresponding to other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders;

[0096] Determining, based on the second configuration information, data tags corresponding to data packets entering each physically connected SAS interface of other SAS expanders;

[0097] Based on the data tags corresponding to the data packets of each physically connected serial-connected small computer system interface entering other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders, at least one of the following is performed: data forwarding across serial-connected small computer system interface expanders, data forwarding between storage devices connected to other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders and hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage devices, and data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by storage devices connected to other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders.

[0098] It is understandable that although the number of serial connection minicomputer system interface (SASI) 101 included in the SAS expander 100 is usually greater than the number of SASI 101 provided by the storage device itself, the SAS expander 100 can be used to increase the number of hard disk expansion cabinets connected to the storage device to expand the storage capacity. However, it is still possible that a single SAS expander cannot meet the storage needs of the storage device. In such cases, a cascaded SAS expander is usually used to connect the storage device to more hard disk expansion cabinets.

[0099] For example, a cabinet (a device used to load storage devices and hard disk expanders) is 42U, a storage device is 2-4U, and a hard disk expansion cabinet is 2U, that is, a serial-connected small computer system interface expander in a cabinet can meet the needs of 1 storage device and 10 hard disk expansion cabinets. If the current storage device needs to be connected to more hard disk expansion cabinets, a cascaded serial-connected small computer system interface expander is required to achieve it. Among them, U is the rack unit, which indicates the vertical height occupied by the device in the rack.

[0100] For example, Figure 5This is a second diagram of a usage scenario of the serial small computer system interface expander provided in some embodiments of the present application. Figure 5 As shown,

[0101] The first Serial Connect Small Computer System Interface (SASI) expander includes SAS1 to SASI N, and the second SASI expander includes SASI N to SASI 2N. SASI 1 in the first SASI expander is connected to SASI N+1 in the second expander, and SASI 2 in the first SASI expander is connected to SASI N+2 in the second expander.

[0102] Optionally, the second configuration information is configured by a user through the debug serial port of the second serial-connected minicomputer system interface expander. After determining the relationship between the storage devices and the hard disk expansion cabinet connected to each serial-connected minicomputer system interface of the second serial-connected minicomputer system interface expander, the user determines the second configuration information. The second serial-connected minicomputer system interface expander then synchronizes the second configuration information with the first expander, so that the processor of the first serial-connected minicomputer system interface expander can obtain the second configuration information and, in turn, obtain data tags corresponding to each serial-connected minicomputer system interface on the second serial-connected minicomputer system interface expander. In the second configuration information, the data tags corresponding to the serial-connected minicomputer system interfaces connected to a group of devices (a storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device are considered a group) are the same.

[0103] The processor of the first Serial Connect SCSI expander determines, based on second configuration information of the plurality of Serial Connect SCSI interfaces of the second Serial Connect SCSI expander, data tags corresponding to data packets entering each physically connected Serial Connect SCSI interface of the second Serial Connect SCSI expander.

[0104] It is understandable that due to the use of cascaded Serial Interface (SAI) expanders (where some of the N SAIs of a first SAI expander are used to connect to a second SAI expander), it is possible that the devices connected to the SAIs of different SAI expanders may form the same group of devices. In other words, devices configured by the user as the same group may be connected to the SAIs of different SAI expanders, with the different SAI expanders being cascaded.

[0105] As a result, the data tags corresponding to data packets entering each physically connected Serial Attached Computer System Interface (SAS) of the second SAS expander, as determined by the processor of the first SAS expander based on the second configuration information, contain the same data tags as the data tags corresponding to data packets entering each physically connected SAS interface of the first SAS expander, as determined based on the first configuration information. In this case, the processor of the first SAS expander is required to forward data across the SAS expanders.

[0106] Optionally, the processor of the first serial-connected small computer system interface expander performs data forwarding across the serial-connected small computer system interface expander based on the data tags corresponding to the data packets entering the second serial-connected small computer system interface expander with each physically connected serial-connected small computer system interface. The data tags can prevent data packets forwarded across the serial-connected small computer system interface expander from being mistakenly forwarded to other storage devices that do not belong to the current data forwarding process or to hard disk expansion cabinets managed by other storage devices after entering other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders, thereby achieving data transmission within the same group and isolation of data from different groups across the serial-connected small computer system interface expander.

[0107] The processor of the first Serial Attached SCSI expander may also be configured to forward data between a storage device connected to the second Serial Attached SCSI expander and a hard disk expansion enclosure managed by the storage device, or forward data between different hard disk expansion enclosures managed by the storage device connected to the second Serial Attached SCSI expander. Both of these scenarios can be understood as data forwarding within (or locally within) the second Serial Attached SCSI expander, as opposed to data forwarding across Serial Attached SCSI expanders.

[0108] Optionally, the processor of the first serial-connected small computer system interface expander forwards data between the storage device connected to the second serial-connected small computer system interface expander and the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device based on the data tags corresponding to the data packets entering each physically connected serial-connected small computer system interface of the second serial-connected small computer system interface expander. Through the data tags, the serial-connected small computer system interface expander can isolate the data forwarding process between the multiple storage devices connected to the second serial-connected small computer system interface expander and the multiple hard disk expansion cabinets managed by each storage device, thereby achieving data isolation between different groups of devices connected to the second serial-connected small computer system interface expander.

[0109] Optionally, the processor of the first serial-connected small computer system interface expander forwards data between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device connected to the second serial-connected small computer system interface expander based on the data tags corresponding to the data packets entering each physically connected serial-connected small computer system interface of the second serial-connected small computer system interface expander. Through the data tags, the first serial-connected small computer system interface expander can forward data between multiple hard disk expansion cabinets managed by multiple storage devices connected to the second serial-connected small computer system interface expander, thereby achieving data transmission between the same group of devices connected to the second serial-connected small computer system interface expander.

[0110] exist Figure 5 In the usage scenario of the Serial Connect SCSI expander shown, the Serial Connect SCSI in the first Serial Connect SCSI expander and the Serial Connect SCSI in the second Serial Connect SCSI expander can also be connected to other Serial Connect SCSI expanders, and the number can be one or more.

[0111] In some embodiments, the processor 102 is specifically configured to:

[0112] Adding data tags to data packets entering each SAS interface 101 having a physical connection;

[0113] Before forwarding a data packet to the destination serial connection small computer system interface corresponding to the data packet, if the type of the opposite device connected to the destination serial connection small computer system interface is a serial connection small computer system interface expander, the data tag in the data packet is not deleted; or, if the type of the opposite device connected to the destination serial connection small computer system interface is a storage device or a hard disk expansion cabinet, the data tag in the data packet is deleted.

[0114] As in the above embodiment, data tags are added to data packets entering each physically connected SAS interface. The data tags identify the storage device to which the data forwarding process belongs, thereby isolating different data forwarding processes.

[0115] If the type of the opposite device connected to the destination serial connection small computer system interface is a storage device or a hard disk expansion cabinet, the data tag in the data packet is deleted so that the data packet can be recognized by the opposite device connected to the destination serial connection small computer system interface. This will not increase the complexity of processing the data packet by the device connected to the destination serial connection small computer system interface, and there is no need to change the code of the device connected to the destination serial connection small computer system interface.

[0116] If the destination Serial ATA is connected to a Serial ATA expander, the data tag in the data packet is not deleted. This is because, when the destination Serial ATA is connected to a Serial ATA expander, the data packet must be forwarded across the Serial ATA expander by the processor 102 after it reaches the destination Serial ATA. This ensures that the data tags within the same group are consistent, ensuring normal service forwarding. If the data tag of the data packet is deleted at this time, the processor 102 will be unable to forward the data across the Serial ATA expander.

[0117] In an embodiment of the present application, whether to delete the data tag in the data packet is determined based on the type of the opposite device connected to the destination serial connection small computer system interface. When the type of the opposite device connected to the destination serial connection small computer system interface is a storage device or a hard disk expansion cabinet, the data tag in the data packet is deleted so that the data packet can be recognized by the opposite device connected to the destination serial connection small computer system interface. When the type of the opposite device connected to the destination serial connection small computer system interface is a serial connection small computer system interface expander, the data tag of the data packet is not deleted, thereby avoiding the problem of being unable to perform data forwarding according to the data tag due to crossing the serial connection small computer system interface expander.

[0118] In some embodiments, when some of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces 101 are used to connect to other serial connection small computer system interface expanders, there is a serial connection small computer system interface expander as a master node, which is used to add data tags to data packets that cross the serial connection small computer system interface expander. A single serial connection small computer system interface expander needs to handle the labeling and forwarding of local data. In the event that the serial connection small computer system interface expander that serves as the master node fails, the corresponding serial connection small computer system interface expander is selected as the master node based on the priority of each other serial connection small computer system interface expander. The priority can be configured by the user through the debug serial port 104.

[0119] In an embodiment of the present application, one of data forwarding across serial-connected small computer system interface expanders, data forwarding between storage devices connected to other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders and hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage devices, or data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by storage devices connected to other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders is performed according to data tags, so that the processor can also perform data forwarding normally when part of the serial-connected small computer system interface of the serial-connected small computer system interface expander is used to connect other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders. In this case, cascading of serial-connected small computer system interface expanders is realized, and other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders can also be connected to more storage devices or hardware expansion cabinets, further increasing the number of hard disk expansion cabinets connected and managed by the storage devices.

[0120] In some embodiments, the debug serial port 104 is also used to implement connection configuration between the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SASI) expander 100 and other SASI expanders.

[0121] It is understood that the user can configure the connection relationship between the Serial Attached SCSI expander 100 and other Serial Attached SCSI expanders through the debug serial port 104. For example, the user can configure the priority of multiple Serial Attached SCSI expanders through the debug serial port 104.

[0122] In some embodiments of the present application, the relevant information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces 101 further includes a data flow value of each serial connection small computer system interface 101, and the processor 102 is further configured to:

[0123] Execute rate limit control logic based on data traffic value.

[0124] It is understood that the target data flow rate of Serial Small Computer System Interface 101 is typically determined based on the needs of the storage device or hard drive expansion cabinet. Therefore, when the data flow rate of the Serial Small Computer System Interface exceeds the target data flow rate, processor 102 executes the speed limit control logic to limit the speed of the Serial Small Computer System Interface, which can improve the adaptability of the Serial Small Computer System Interface expander to complex application scenarios. The performance of different storage devices and hard drive expansion cabinets is not exactly the same. Executing the speed limit control logic can also make the load of the storage device and hard drive expansion cabinet more balanced.

[0125] In some embodiments, the processor 102 is specifically configured to:

[0126] In a case where it is determined that the speed of the target expansion cabinet is to be limited according to the data flow value, identifying a target serial-attached small computer system interface to which the target expansion cabinet is connected;

[0127] Setting a preset number of tokens for a target Serial Small Computer System Interface;

[0128] The speed of adding data labels to data packets entering the target serial small computer system interface is controlled by a circular numbering method.

[0129] The target expansion cabinet is the hard disk expansion cabinet that needs to be speed-limited. After identifying the serial minicomputer system interface (SMI) in the Serial Minicomputer System Interface (SMI) expander that is connected to the hard disk expansion cabinet that needs to be speed-limited, a preset number of tokens is set for the target SMI. The preset number is set based on actual needs. The speed of adding data tags to data packets entering the target SMI is controlled by a circular numbering method. Specifically, taking 1000 tokens as an example, when a data packet enters the target SMI, a token must be acquired before adding a data tag. If a token is currently available, the processor 102 can add a data tag to the data packet after successfully acquiring the token. If all 1000 tokens are currently occupied, the processor 102 must wait until a data packet completes adding a data tag and releases a token before acquiring the released token to add a data tag to the data packet.

[0130] In an embodiment of the present application, data forwarding between a storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and / or data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device is performed based on data tags. Therefore, data packets entering the target serial-connected small computer system interface need to be added with data tags to determine the storage device to which the data forwarding process belongs before being forwarded. By controlling the speed of adding data tags to data packets in a cyclic numbering manner, the speed of data packets forwarded into the target serial-connected small computer system interface can be limited, thereby achieving speed limiting of the target expansion cabinet connected to the target serial-connected small computer system interface.

[0131] In an embodiment of the present application, when it is necessary to limit the speed of the target expansion cabinet, the target serial connection small computer system interface to which the target expansion cabinet is connected is determined, a preset number of tokens is set for the target serial connection small computer system interface, and the speed of adding data labels to data packets entering the target serial connection small computer system interface is controlled by a circular numbering method. The data packets need to be forwarded after adding data labels to determine the storage device to which the data forwarding process belongs. Therefore, by controlling the speed of adding data labels to the data packets by a circular numbering method, the speed of data packets forwarded into the target serial connection small computer system interface can be limited, thereby effectively achieving the speed limit of the target expansion cabinet.

[0132] In some embodiments, the processor 102 is specifically configured to:

[0133] In a case where a speed limit is determined for the target group based on a data flow value, identifying all target serial-attached small computer system interfaces connected to the target group;

[0134] Set a total number of tokens for all target Serial Small Computer System Interfaces;

[0135] The speed of adding data labels to data packets entering the target group is controlled by cyclically obtaining numbers;

[0136] The target group includes a storage device and all hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device.

[0137] In addition to limiting the speed of a single target expansion cabinet, the embodiment of the present application can also limit the speed of a group of devices (a storage device and all hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device), that is, limit the speed of all devices in the target group.

[0138] After identifying all target Serial Attached Small Computer System Interfaces (SACS) connected to the target group in the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SACS) expander, a total number of tokens is set for all target SACSs. The total number of tokens is set based on actual needs. Specifically, taking 1000 tokens as an example, when a data packet enters each target SACS, a token must be acquired before data tags can be added. If a token is currently available, data tags can be added to the data packet after successfully acquiring the token. If all 1000 tokens are currently occupied, the data packet must wait until a data packet completes data tagging and releases a token. The released token is then acquired and the data tag is added to the data packet.

[0139] Data packets entering all target serially connected small computer system interfaces need to be added with data tags to determine the storage device to which the data forwarding process belongs before being forwarded. Therefore, the speed of adding data tags to data packets is controlled by cyclically taking numbers, which can limit the speed of forwarding data packets entering all target serially connected small computer system interfaces, thereby achieving speed limiting for the target groups connected to all target serially connected small computer system interfaces.

[0140] When the speed of the target group needs to be limited, all target serial-connected small computer system interfaces connected to the target group are determined, a total token number is set for all target serial-connected small computer system interfaces, and the speed of adding data labels to data packets entering all target serial-connected small computer system interfaces is controlled by a circular numbering method. Data packets need to be added with data labels to determine the storage device to which the data forwarding process belongs before being forwarded. Therefore, by controlling the speed of adding data labels to data packets by a circular numbering method, the speed of data packets forwarded into all target serial-connected small computer system interfaces can be limited, thereby effectively achieving speed limiting for the target group.

[0141] In the embodiment of the present application, the speed of adding data tags to data packets entering the serial connection small computer system interface is controlled by setting the number of tokens and taking numbers in a cyclic manner, thereby achieving speed limiting of the target expansion cabinet or target group (including a storage device and all hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device), that is, achieving speed limiting processing in the scenario of a single serial connection small computer system interface or multiple serial connection small computer system interfaces, and improving the ability of the serial connection small computer system interface expander to adapt to complex application scenarios.

[0142] Figure 6 This is a third structural diagram of a serial connection small computer system interface expander provided in some embodiments of the present application. Figure 6As shown, in some embodiments of the present application, the Serial Small Computer System Interface expander 100 further includes a heat dissipation module 106 for dissipating heat for the Serial Small Computer System Interface expander 100;

[0143] The processor 102 is further configured to:

[0144] Acquiring the temperature of the Serial Small Computer System Interface (Serial ISA) expander 100;

[0145] According to the temperature, the operating parameters of the heat dissipation module 106 are controlled so that the temperature of the Serial Small Computer System Interface expander 100 is within a normal temperature range.

[0146] The heat dissipation module 106 can dissipate heat from the Serial ATA expander 100 through internal heat dissipation components such as fans and heat pipes.

[0147] In some embodiments, the heat dissipation module 106 includes a fan, and the processor 102 is configured to control the speed of the fan to keep the temperature of the Serial ATA expander 100 within a normal temperature range.

[0148] The serial connection small computer system interface expander provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes a heat dissipation module. The processor can be used to control the operating parameters of the heat dissipation module according to the temperature of the serial connection small computer system interface expander, so that the temperature of the serial connection small computer system interface expander is within a normal temperature range, reducing the risk of failure caused by overheating of the serial connection small computer system interface expander, and improving the stability and reliability of the serial connection small computer system interface expander.

[0149] Figure 7 This is a fourth structural diagram of a serial connection small computer system interface expander provided in some embodiments of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments of the present application, the Serial ATA expander 100 further includes a power supply module 107 for providing a DC voltage to the Serial ATA expander 100 .

[0150] It is understood that the DC voltage required by the Serial Small Computer System Interface (Serial ISA) expander is generally not compatible with the voltage of the external application scenario, so the power module 107 is required to perform a conversion. For example, in some embodiments, the power module 107 is used to convert 220V AC power into 12V DC power to provide power to the power module 107.

[0151] In the above technical solution, the Serial Connection Small Computer System Interface expander further includes a power module, which is used to provide a DC voltage to the Serial Connection Small Computer System Interface expander so that the Serial Connection Small Computer System Interface expander can operate normally.

[0152] In some embodiments, the Serial ATA expander 100 includes both a heat dissipation module 106 and a power supply module 107 .

[0153] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the storage system provided in some embodiments of the present application. Figure 8 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a storage system, comprising at least one serial small computer system interface expander 100 as provided in any of the above serial small computer system interface expander embodiments, at least one storage device 200, and at least one hard disk expansion cabinet 300 managed by the storage device 200.

[0154] Each storage device 200 is connected to one or more Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SASI) expanders 100 via a SAS line;

[0155] Each hard disk expansion cabinet 300 is connected to a Serial Small Computer System Interface (Serial Small Computer System Interface) expander 100 via a Serial Small Computer System Interface (Serial Small Computer System Interface) cable.

[0156] The Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface) expander is used for forwarding data between a storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and / or forwarding data between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device.

[0157] The storage device can also be connected to multiple serial-connected small computer system interface expanders 100. Each serial-connected small computer system interface expander 100 can be connected to at least one storage device 200 and at least one hard disk expansion cabinet 300 managed by the storage device 200 via a serial-connected small computer system interface line, further increasing the number of hard disk expansion cabinets 300 connected to and managed by the storage device 200.

[0158] The serial connection small computer system interface expander provided in an embodiment of the present application is used to perform data forwarding between a storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and / or data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device. Through this serial connection small computer system interface expander, the number of hard disk expansion cabinets connected to the storage device is increased to expand the storage capacity, while improving the tolerance of the connection between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet to serial connection small computer system interface line failures.

[0159] An embodiment of the present application provides a data forwarding method, and the method is described in detail in conjunction with the execution process of the data forwarding method.

[0160] Specifically, Figure 9 This is a flow chart of a data forwarding method provided in some embodiments of the present application. Figure 9 As shown, the data forwarding method is applied to a serial connection small computer system interface expander, and the serial connection small computer system interface expander includes:

[0161] N serial connection small computer system interfaces, used to connect at least one storage device and at least one hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, wherein one serial connection small computer system interface is connected to one device, and N is a positive integer greater than 1;

[0162] A processor, configured to run a program to execute: data forwarding between a storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and / or data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device;

[0163] A memory for storing programs and related information of N serially connected small computer system interfaces;

[0164] Debug serial port, used to configure N serial connection small computer system interfaces;

[0165] The data forwarding method includes: step 910.

[0166] Step 910: Execute data forwarding between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and / or execute data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device.

[0167] Optionally, the relevant information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces includes hardware connection information of each serial connection small computer system interface, and the method further includes:

[0168] Determining whether a physically connected serial connection small computer system interface exists according to the hardware connection information of each serial connection small computer system interface;

[0169] Sending a session message to a peer device connected to the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) having the physical connection, and receiving a session response message sent by the peer device;

[0170] Determining the type of the opposite device according to the session response message;

[0171] According to the type of the opposite device, a type tag is added to each of the physically connected Serial Attached Small Computer System Interfaces, wherein the type tag is used to identify the type of device connected to the source Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface during data forwarding.

[0172] Optionally, the related information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces further includes first configuration information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces, and the method further includes:

[0173] According to the first configuration information of the N serial small computer system interfaces, a data tag corresponding to a data packet entering each physically connected serial small computer system interface is determined, where the data tag is used to identify a storage device to which the data forwarding process belongs.

[0174] Optionally, performing data forwarding between a storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and / or data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device, includes:

[0175] According to the data tag, data forwarding is performed between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and / or data forwarding is performed between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device.

[0176] Optionally, data forwarding between the storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and / or data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device, is performed based on the data tag, including:

[0177] Adding data tags to data packets entering each SAS interface that has a physical connection;

[0178] Before forwarding the data packet to the destination Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface corresponding to the data packet, a data tag in the data packet is removed.

[0179] Optionally, the relevant information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces further includes a routing mapping address table of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces, and the method further includes:

[0180] Obtaining the sequence number of the destination serial connection small computer system interface corresponding to the data packet entering each of the physically connected serial connection small computer system interfaces;

[0181] The routing mapping address table is generated according to the serial number of the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface expander, the type tag, the data tag, the serial number of the physically connected Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface and the serial number of the destination Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface.

[0182] Optionally, some of the N serial-connected small computer system interfaces are used to connect to other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders, and the method further includes:

[0183] Acquire second configuration information of a plurality of serial-connected small computer system interfaces corresponding to other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders;

[0184] Determining, based on the second configuration information, data tags corresponding to data packets entering each physically connected SAS interface of other SAS expanders;

[0185] Based on the data tags corresponding to the data packets of each physically connected serial-connected small computer system interface entering other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders, at least one of the following is performed: data forwarding across serial-connected small computer system interface expanders, data forwarding between storage devices connected to other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders and hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage devices, and data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by storage devices connected to other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders.

[0186] Optionally, based on data tags corresponding to data packets entering each physically connected SAS interface of another SAS interface expander, at least one of the following is performed: data forwarding across SAS interface expanders, data forwarding between a storage device connected to another SAS interface expander and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by a storage device connected to another SAS interface expander, including:

[0187] Adding data tags to data packets entering each SAS interface that has a physical connection;

[0188] Before forwarding a data packet to the destination serial connection small computer system interface corresponding to the data packet, if the type of the opposite device connected to the destination serial connection small computer system interface is a serial connection small computer system interface expander, the data tag in the data packet is not deleted; or, if the type of the opposite device connected to the destination serial connection small computer system interface is a storage device or a hard disk expansion cabinet, the data tag in the data packet is deleted.

[0189] Optionally, the relevant information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces further includes a data flow value of each serial connection small computer system interface, and the method further includes:

[0190] Execute rate limit control logic based on data traffic value.

[0191] Optionally, based on the data traffic value, execute rate limit control logic, including:

[0192] In a case where it is determined that the speed of the target expansion cabinet is to be limited according to the data flow value, identifying a target serial-attached small computer system interface to which the target expansion cabinet is connected;

[0193] Setting a preset number of tokens for a target Serial Small Computer System Interface;

[0194] The speed of adding data labels to data packets entering the target serial small computer system interface is controlled by a circular numbering method.

[0195] Optionally, based on the data traffic value, execute rate limit control logic, including:

[0196] In a case where a speed limit is determined for the target group based on a data flow value, identifying all target serial-attached small computer system interfaces connected to the target group;

[0197] Set a total number of tokens for all target Serial Small Computer System Interfaces;

[0198] The speed of adding data labels to data packets entering the target group is controlled by cyclically obtaining numbers;

[0199] The target group includes a storage device and all hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device.

[0200] Optionally, the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SASI) expander further includes a heat dissipation module for dissipating heat from the SASI expander. The method further includes:

[0201] Get the temperature of the Serial Small Computer System Interface (Serial Attached) Expander;

[0202] According to the temperature, the operating parameters of the heat dissipation module are controlled to make the temperature of the Serial Small Computer System Interface (Serial ISA) expander within a normal temperature range.

[0203] Through the description of the above implementation methods, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the method according to the above embodiment can be implemented by means of software plus the necessary general hardware platform, and of course it can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method.

[0204] For the description of the features in the embodiment corresponding to the data forwarding method, reference may be made to the relevant description of the embodiment corresponding to the Serial Small Computer System Interface expander, which will not be described in detail here.

[0205] An embodiment of the present application further provides an electronic device, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to run the computer program to execute the steps in any of the above data forwarding method embodiments.

[0206] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. The computer program is configured to execute the steps of any of the above-mentioned data forwarding method embodiments when running.

[0207] In an exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable storage medium may include, but is not limited to, various media that can store computer programs, such as a USB flash drive, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a mobile hard disk, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0208] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps in any of the above-mentioned data forwarding method embodiments are implemented.

[0209] An embodiment of the present application further provides another computer program product, including a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, wherein the non-volatile computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps in any of the above-mentioned data forwarding method embodiments are implemented.

[0210] Professionals may further appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of the two. In order to clearly illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, the above description has generally described the components and steps of each example according to their functions. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0211] The above describes in detail a serial connection small computer system interface expander and data forwarding method provided by the present application. This article uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only intended to help understand the method and core concept of the present application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications to the present application without departing from the principles of the present application, and such improvements and modifications also fall within the scope of protection of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A serial small computer system interface expander, characterized in that: include: N serial connection small computer system interfaces, used to connect at least one storage device and at least one hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, wherein one serial connection small computer system interface is connected to one device, and N is a positive integer greater than 1; A processor, configured to run a program to execute: data forwarding between the storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device; A memory, used for storing the program and related information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces; A debugging serial port, used to configure the N serial connection small computer system interfaces; The relevant information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces includes first configuration information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces, and the processor is configured to: determining, based on the first configuration information of the N serial-connected small computer system interfaces, a data tag corresponding to a data packet entering each physically connected serial-connected small computer system interface, the data tag being used to identify a storage device to which a data forwarding process belongs; Data forwarding between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device are performed according to the data tag.

2. The Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander according to claim 1, wherein: The relevant information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces includes hardware connection information of each serial connection small computer system interface, and the processor is further configured to: Determining whether a physically connected serial connection small computer system interface exists according to the hardware connection information of each serial connection small computer system interface; Sending a session message to a peer device connected to the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) having the physical connection, and receiving a session response message sent by the peer device; Determining the type of the opposite device according to the session response message; According to the type of the opposite device, a type tag is added to each of the physically connected Serial Attached Small Computer System Interfaces, wherein the type tag is used to identify the type of device connected to the source Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface during data forwarding.

3. The Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander according to claim 2, wherein: The processor is specifically configured to: adding the data tag to the data packets entering each of the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interfaces that are physically connected; Before forwarding the data packet to a destination Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (Serial ATA) corresponding to the data packet, the data tag in the data packet is deleted.

4. The Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander according to claim 3, wherein: The related information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces also includes a routing mapping address table of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces, and the processor is further configured to: Obtaining the sequence number of the destination serial connection small computer system interface corresponding to the data packet entering each of the physically connected serial connection small computer system interfaces; The routing mapping address table is generated according to the serial number of the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface expander, the type tag, the data tag, the serial number of the physically connected Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface and the serial number of the destination Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface.

5. The Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander according to claim 1, wherein: Some of the N serial-connected small computer system interfaces are used to connect to other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders. The processor is further configured to: Acquire second configuration information of a plurality of serial connection small computer system interfaces corresponding to the other serial connection small computer system interface expanders; determining, based on the second configuration information, data tags corresponding to data packets entering each physically connected Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface of the other Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface expander; According to the data tags corresponding to the data packets entering the other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders with each physically connected serial-connected small computer system interface, at least one of the following is performed: data forwarding across serial-connected small computer system interface expanders, data forwarding between the storage device connected to the other serial-connected small computer system interface expander and the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device connected to the other serial-connected small computer system interface expander.

6. The Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander according to claim 5, wherein: The processor is specifically configured to: adding the data tag to the data packets entering each of the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interfaces that are physically connected; Before forwarding the data packet to the destination serial connection small computer system interface corresponding to the data packet, if the type of the opposite device connected to the destination serial connection small computer system interface is a serial connection small computer system interface expander, the data tag in the data packet is not deleted; or, if the type of the opposite device connected to the destination serial connection small computer system interface is a storage device or a hard disk expansion cabinet, the data tag in the data packet is deleted.

7. The Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The debugging serial port is also used to implement the connection configuration between the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SASI) expander and the other SASI expanders.

8. The Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The relevant information of the N serial connection small computer system interfaces also includes a data flow value of each of the serial connection small computer system interfaces, and the processor is further configured to: Execute rate limit control logic according to the data flow value.

9. The Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander according to claim 8, wherein: The processor is specifically configured to: In a case where it is determined that the speed of the target expansion cabinet is to be limited according to the data flow value, identifying a target serial small computer system interface to which the target expansion cabinet is connected; Setting a preset number of tokens for the target Serial Small Computer System Interface; The speed of adding data labels to data packets entering the target serial-connected small computer system interface is controlled by a circular numbering method.

10. The Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander according to claim 8, wherein: The processor is specifically configured to: In a case where it is determined that the target group is to be rate-limited according to the data flow value, identifying all target Serial Attached Small Computer System Interfaces (Serial Attached Small Computer System Interfaces) connected to the target group; Setting a total token quantity for all target Serial Attached Small Computer System Interfaces; Controlling the speed of adding data labels to data packets entering the target group by cyclically obtaining numbers; The target group includes a storage device and all hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device.

11. The Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander according to claim 1, wherein: Also included is a heat dissipation module for dissipating heat for the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander; The processor is further configured to: obtaining a temperature of the Serial ATA expander; According to the temperature, operating parameters of the heat dissipation module are controlled to ensure that the temperature of the Serial ATA expander is within a normal temperature range.

12. The Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander according to claim 1, wherein: The invention also comprises a power supply module for providing a DC voltage to the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (Serial Attached Small Computer System) ...

13. A storage system, characterized in that: The system comprises at least one Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander according to any one of claims 1 to 12, at least one storage device, and at least one hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device. Each of the storage devices is connected to one or more of the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SASI) expanders via a SAS line; Each of the hard disk expansion cabinets is connected to a serial connection small computer system interface expander via a serial connection small computer system interface line.

14. A data forwarding method, characterized in that: Based on the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface expander according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprises: Execute data forwarding between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determining whether a physically connected serial connection small computer system interface exists according to the hardware connection information of each serial connection small computer system interface; Sending a session message to a peer device connected to the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) having the physical connection, and receiving a session response message sent by the peer device; Determining the type of the opposite device according to the session response message; According to the type of the opposite device, a type tag is added to each of the physically connected Serial Attached Small Computer System Interfaces, wherein the type tag is used to identify the type of device connected to the source Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface during data forwarding.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: According to the first configuration information of the N serial-connected small computer system interfaces, a data tag corresponding to a data packet entering each physically connected serial-connected small computer system interface is determined, wherein the data tag is used to identify a storage device to which a data forwarding process belongs.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The executing of data forwarding between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device, includes: According to the data tag, data forwarding is performed between the storage device and the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and data forwarding is performed between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The step of forwarding data between the storage device and a hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and forwarding data between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device, according to the data tag, includes: adding the data tag to the data packets entering each of the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interfaces that are physically connected; Before forwarding the data packet to a destination Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (Serial ATA) corresponding to the data packet, the data tag in the data packet is deleted.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein Some of the N serial-connected small computer system interfaces are used to connect to other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders, and the method further includes: Acquire second configuration information of a plurality of serial connection small computer system interfaces corresponding to the other serial connection small computer system interface expanders; determining, based on the second configuration information, data tags corresponding to data packets entering each physically connected Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface of the other Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface expander; According to the data tags corresponding to the data packets entering the other serial-connected small computer system interface expanders with each physical connection, at least one of the following is performed: data forwarding across serial-connected small computer system interface expanders, data forwarding between the storage device connected to the other serial-connected small computer system interface expander and the hard disk expansion cabinet managed by the storage device, and data forwarding between different hard disk expansion cabinets managed by the storage device connected to the other serial-connected small computer system interface expander.

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