Combined FC and SAS Host Bus Adapter Translation Circuit

Solution Overview

Problem

Computing systems face resource consumption and software complexity when trying to support both Fibre Channel (FC) and Serial Attached SCSI (SAS)/Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) storage devices, requiring multiple host bus adapters (HBAs) and device drivers.

Innovation Solution

A single host bus adapter (HBA) that seamlessly supports both FC and SAS/SATA storage devices by incorporating a SAS storage controller, a Fibre Channel interface, and a SAS/FC translation circuit, allowing for transparent management of storage devices using a single software interface and bus slot.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two separate HBAs are used to support both FC and SAS/SATA storage devices, then both storage protocols can be supported, but system resources are consumed and software complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple storage protocolsVSAvoidnumber of HBAs and software interfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines FC and SAS/SATA storage protocol support into a single HBA device. The HBA includes a SAS storage controller circuit that can operate in two modes: native SAS mode for SAS/SATA devices and FC emulation mode for FC devices. This merging eliminates the need for separate HBAs and reduces software complexity by providing a unified interface for both protocol types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The SAS storage controller circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can directly control SAS/SATA storage devices and also emulate FC storage devices by translating SAS protocols to FC protocols. This multi-functionality allows a single HBA to replace what would traditionally require two separate devices, reducing system resource consumption while maintaining support for both storage protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If FC storage devices are supported through a dedicated FC HBA, then FC protocol compliance is maintained, but system resources are consumed and installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFC protocol complianceVSAvoidinstallation and configuration simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protocol translation mechanism within the SAS storage controller circuit that acts as an intermediary between SAS and FC protocols. When FC storage devices are connected, the controller translates SAS protocols into FC protocols, maintaining FC protocol compliance while using the SAS controller hardware. This eliminates the need for separate FC HBA hardware and simplifies installation while preserving protocol reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If separate HBAs are used for FC and SAS/SATA devices, then each protocol is optimized, but software driver complexity and management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage device performanceVSAvoidsoftware driver interfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The SAS storage controller circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can directly control SAS/SATA storage devices and also emulate FC storage devices by translating SAS protocols to FC protocols. This multi-functionality allows a single HBA to replace what would traditionally require two separate devices, reducing system resource consumption while maintaining support for both storage protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines FC and SAS/SATA storage protocol support into a single HBA device. The HBA includes a SAS storage controller circuit that can operate in two modes: native SAS mode for SAS/SATA devices and FC emulation mode for FC devices. This merging eliminates the need for separate HBAs and reduces software complexity by providing a unified interface for both protocol types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7886105B2Combined fibre channel and SAS host bus adapter

Publication Date: 2011.02.08 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

Apparatus, systems, and methods for coupling Fiber Channel (FC) storage devices and serial attached SCSI (SAS) storage device to a computer system through a single host bus adapter (HBA). The HBA includes a SAS storage controller four coupling to one or more SAS storage devices and an FC interface for coupling to one or more FC storage devices. The HBA also includes translation logic to translate information exchanged between the SAS storage controller and the FC storage device(s). Translation may include translation of addressing information between FC protocols and formats used by the SAS storage controller, may include use of a buffer to enable exchanges at different data rates, and may include use of a buffer to aggregate an inbound FC multiframe sequence into a single data buffer for use by the SAS storage controller.