Communication method and apparatus

摘要

A method of, and apparatus for, network communication between a client computer initiator and a target data store. The method includes requesting, by the initiator, a data transfer session between the initiator and the target over a network. The request specifies quality of service parameters for the data transfer session. The method further includes receiving, from the target, a response accepting or denying the data transfer session based on the quality of service parameters; and establishing the data transfer session between the initiator and the target if the request is accepted. An advantage in communicating QoS requirements automatically on a per session basis between a client computer initiator and a target data storage resource is that QoS guarantees can be improved because the QoS determination can be carried out at the time the data transfer session is required. This enables the current access patterns on the storage resource to be monitored and an accurate determination regarding whether the QoS parameters of a desired data transfer session can be met.

主权项

1. A method of network communication comprising:
requesting, by an initiator, a data transfer session comprising a sequence of access and response commands to transfer data between the initiator and a target over a network, the request comprising the communication of at least one network storage command of an Object-based Storage Device (OSD) protocol from the initiator to the target, the or each network storage command being addressed to at least one object ID, wherein required quality of service parameters for the data transfer session are specified in metadata attributes of the network storage command associated with a specified object ID address; receiving, from the target, a response accepting or denying the data transfer session based on whether the required quality of service parameters for the data transfer session can be met by the target; and if the request is accepted, carrying out the steps of:
establishing the data transfer session between the initiator and the target; andcommencing said the data transfer session.