Patent ID: 7565566
Filing Date: 2009-07-21
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A network storage appliance, comprising: first and second I/O controllers, each having I/O ports, wherein said first and second I/O controllers are affixed on a first hot-pluggable field replaceable unit (FRU), wherein said first and second I/O controllers are configured to receive I/O requests from at least one host computer; first and second microprocessors, coupled to said first and second I/O controllers, respectively, wherein said first and second microprocessors are affixed on hot-pluggable second and third FRUs, respectively, configured to initially control first and second sets of storage devices via said first and second I/O controllers, respectively, wherein said first and second microprocessors are configured to process said I/O requests received from said first and second I/O controllers, wherein if one of said microprocessors detects a failure of the other, the non-failed microprocessor controls both said first and second sets of storage devices; and a switching device, affixed on said first FRU, said switching device comprising I/O ports coupled to said first and second I/O controller I/O ports and to I/O ports of said first and second sets of storage devices, said switching device configured to simultaneously transfer frames between said first and second I/O controller I/O ports and said first and second sets of storage device I/O ports.