Storage Controller Protocol Conversion and Warranty Code Caching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a storage system where a host computer and a storage apparatus are connected via a network, the storage apparatus faces challenges in responding quickly to read requests generated using different protocols, such as zHL and FICON, due to differences in data transfer units and warranty codes required by each protocol.
Innovation Solution
The storage apparatus includes an interface controller and a data processing controller that handle data transfer and processing for multiple protocols, caching data in memory, recalculating warranty codes as needed, and transferring data with warranty codes to the host computer based on the protocol of the read request, while sending error notices if data is not available, thereby enabling efficient data transfer across different protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the storage apparatus processes read requests using multiple protocols (zHL and FICON), then the adaptability to different host computers is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need to handle different data transfer units and warranty code requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary conversion mechanism that translates between different protocol formats (zHL and FICON). The storage apparatus uses an internal conversion layer that receives read requests in one protocol format, converts them to a standardized internal format, processes the data, and then converts the response to the appropriate protocol format. This intermediary approach allows the system to support multiple protocols without requiring separate processing paths for each protocol, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage apparatus implements a universal data processing architecture that can handle both zHL and FICON protocols through a single integrated processing path. The system uses a unified data structure and warranty code calculation mechanism that works across both protocols, eliminating the need for protocol-specific processing logic. This multi-functional design reduces device complexity by consolidating multiple protocol handling capabilities into a single versatile processing framework.
2Reliability
If the storage apparatus recalculates warranty codes for converted data units, then the reliability of data transfer is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing warranty codes for data units during the data writing phase. When data is written to the storage apparatus, the system calculates warranty codes for all possible data unit configurations and stores them in advance. During read operations, the system simply retrieves the pre-calculated warranty codes rather than recalculating them, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining data integrity. This approach trades some additional write-time computation for much faster read operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes processing parameters based on the protocol type and data unit configuration. Instead of always recalculating warranty codes, the system adjusts its behavior based on whether the request is for zHL or FICON protocol, and whether the data units need conversion. This parameter-based approach allows the system to optimize processing time by skipping unnecessary warranty code calculations when the data format already matches the requested protocol, while still ensuring reliability when conversion is required.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage apparatus configures a second transfer unit of data based on a zHL read request from a transfer unit of data based on a fiber connect read request, calculates a warranty code for the data of the second transfer unit, stores the data and the warranty code in a memory; after receiving a read request based on zHL, transfers the data together with the warranty code to a host computer if it is determined that the data of the second transfer unit, which is a target of the read request, exists in the memory; and sends a notice of an error of the read request to the host computer when the data of the second transfer unit, which is the target of the read request based on zHL, does not exist in the memory, wherein the host computer which has received the notice outputs a read request.