Scalable network media access controller and methods

摘要

A secure storage access controller provides for the proxy routing of data transfer requests and responses between network clients and storage servers. The controller includes first and second network interface processors coupleable to client and data storage networks and a plurality of data packet processors coupled to the first and second network interface processors. Each data packet processor is operative to terminate respective client network connections routed to the plurality of data packet processors through the first network interface processor and to establish respective storage network connections through the second network interface processor. The data packet processors provide for the proxy transport of data transfer requests and responses between the client and storage network connections. Each the data packet processor includes an encryption engine operative to selectively encrypt media-level data contained within data transfer requests and responses as transported from the client network connections to the storage network connections.