Patent ID: 6622220
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A data storage system, comprising:a data storage device, having capability of comprising more than one storage structure; a switch, comprising more than one port, wherein the ports are individually attachable to separate network systems and wherein the switch has capability of receiving at one of its ports a request for access to one of the storage structures, and of identifying the network system making the request based on knowledge of the port at which the request was received; an interface/controller connected to the switch and to the data storage device, wherein the interface/controller has capability of receiving storage structure access requests from the switch and wherein the interface/controller has capability of granting access to the storage structure requested if the identified network system making the request has authority to access that storage structure as evidenced by the port of the switch at which the request was received and otherwise has capability of refusing access.