Importance

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Abstract

A bridge in a file server provides a direct link to data storage devices in satisfaction of data requests. The file server has one or more function-specific processors, including network processors (NPs) and file storage processors (FSPs), all operating in parallel and communicating over an interconnect bus. Each FSP is also connected to one or more disk controllers which in turn manage one or more data storage devices. To minimize local bus contention between data storage devices and network communications, separate internal buses are provided in the FSP, one internal bus connected to the interconnect bus for network communications and one internal bus connected to disk controllers for performing I/O operations on data storage devices. The bridge provides a path between the FSP's internal buses so that, for disk access requests, data from a particular data storage device may be sent by the disk controller via the bridge over the interconnect bus to the NP servicing the request with minimal involvement of the local FSP processor.

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First Claim