Virtual Storage Control via Unified Address Translation

The patent combines multiple storage devices into a single virtual storage device that appears as one unified storage unit to the host. The storage control device manages multiple physical storage devices (26) and presents them as a single virtual storage (500) with unified address space, eliminating the need for the host to manage individual devices and reducing control complexity while maintaining large capacity.

The storage control device acts as an intermediary between the host and multiple storage devices. It receives commands from the host, translates them into appropriate operations for the underlying storage devices, and returns results to the host. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of managing multiple devices, allowing the host to interact with a simple virtual storage interface while the control device handles the complex coordination of multiple physical devices.

The patent implements different quality levels for different regions within the virtual storage by assigning priority levels to different storage devices. High-priority storage devices (502) are designated for frequently accessed data requiring fast access, while low-priority devices (503) store less frequently accessed data. This allows the system to maintain large capacity while ensuring that critical data accesses occur at high speeds by directing them to optimized storage regions.

The virtual storage is segmented into multiple regions with different characteristics and performance levels. The storage control device divides the address space into segments that map to different physical storage devices, allowing simultaneous access to multiple segments in parallel. This segmentation enables the system to achieve high overall access speeds by utilizing multiple storage devices concurrently while maintaining the appearance of a unified large-capacity storage to the host.

The storage control device serves as an intermediary that implements unified management of multiple storage devices while presenting a simple interface to the host. It handles all complex management tasks including address translation, data routing, priority management, and device coordination internally, allowing the host to operate storage as if it were a simple single device without needing to understand or manage the underlying complexity of multiple devices.

The storage control device implements self-service mechanisms by automatically managing the complexity of coordinating multiple storage devices. It autonomously handles command translation, data routing, error management, and performance optimization without requiring external intervention or complex host-side management logic. The control device monitors and adjusts its own operation to maintain optimal performance across all connected storage devices.