Coordination techniques for redundant array of independent disks storage controllers

摘要

Methods and structure for coordinating between Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) storage controllers are provided. An exemplary system includes a RAID controller. The RAID controller includes a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) interface, a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) port operable to communicate with another RAID controller, and a command unit. The command unit is able to direct the interface to contact another PCIe interface at the other controller, to acquire an identifier of the other controller stored in a PCIe Inbound Map (PIM) for the other interface, and to activate a feature for the controller that enables cooperative management of storage devices between the controller and the other controller, if the identifier of the other controller matches discovery information maintained at the controller.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a Redundant Array of Independent Disks controller comprising:
a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express interface;a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface port operable to communicate with another Redundant Array of Independent Disks controller; anda command unit operable to direct the interface to contact another Peripheral Component Interconnect Express interface at the other controller, to acquire an identifier of the other controller stored in a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express Inbound Map for the other interface, and to activate a feature for the controller that enables cooperative management of storage devices between the controller and the other controller, if the identifier of the other controller matches discovery information maintained at the controller.