Importance

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Abstract

An advanced data server including an I/O ring coupled to at least one I/O access channel which provides data to the I/O ring or reads data out from the I/O ring; a disc array ring coupled to least two disc arrays which store therein data received from the disc array ring or retrieve therefrom data for receipt by the disc array ring, the disc array ring also being coupled to the I/O ring so that data can flow between those rings; and a server controller coupled to the I/O ring and the disc array ring for controlling the operations thereof. The I/O ring includes a first ring controller which controls receipt of data from the I/O access channel and transfer of that data to the disc array ring, or receipt of data from the disc array ring and transfer of that data to the I/O access channel. The disc array ring includes a second ring controller which controls receipt of data from the I/O ring and storage of that data among the disc arrays, or retrieval of data from the disc arrays and transfer of that data to the I/O ring. The second ring controller causes data which is received by the disc array ring to be striped across active and available disc arrays coupled to the disc array ring so that different data portions are received by and stored on different ones of the disc arrays, and stores information indicating which data portion are stored on which disc arrays. Each of the disc arrays includes an array controller and at least two disc drives, which array controller causes the data portions received by that disc army to be striped across active and available disc drives included in that disc array so that different data sub-portions of those data portions are stored on different ones of those disc drives, and stores information indicating which data sub-portions are included on which disc drives. The disc array ring and the array controllers use the information stored therein to retrieve the data stored on the disc arrays and the disc drives included therein. A server system includes at least one server and a server operation controller which causes the server to receive/store data or retrieve/read out data.

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First Claim