Patent ID: 6944152
Filing Date: 2005-09-13
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A storage network for accessing stored data in a plurality of storage devices and storing data in said plurality of storage devices comprising: a first host device; a first host-side link that is connected to said first host device and not any other host devices, said first host-side link including a first host-side interface that sends and receives data to and from said first host device; a plurality of first storage-side links connected directly to said plurality of storage devices without going through a router, said plurality of first storage-side links including a plurality of first storage-side interfaces that send and receive data directly to and from said plurality of storage devices without going through a router; a first switch matrix that is connected to said first host-side link and not any other host-side links, and to said plurality of first storage-side links that is operative to establish communication channels between said first host-side link and any of said plurality of first storage-side links, but not establishing any communication channels between any of said plurality of first storage-side links; a second host device; a second host-side link that is connected to said second host device and not said first host device, said second host-side link including a second host-side interface that sends and receives data to and from said first host device; a plurality of second storage side links connected directly to said plurality of storage devices without going through a router, said plurality of second storage-side links including a plurality of second storage-side interfaces that send and receive data directly to and from said plurality of storage devices without going through a router; a second switch matrix that is connected to said second host-side link and to said plurality of second storage-side links that is operative to establish communication channels between said second host-side link and any of said plurality of second storage-side links, but not establishing any communication channels between any of said plurality of storage-side links.