Patent ID: 7404192
Filing Date: 2008-07-22
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for providing an independent interface to update a function of a storage application independent from the storage application, and to update a function of a network interface driver independent from the network interface driver, the method comprising: isolating the storage application from the network interface driver; defining the set of storage application functions and a set of network interface driver functions; utilizing the storage application functions to exchange messages between the storage application and an isolation layer; utilizing the network interface driver functions to exchange messages between the network interface driver and the isolation layer; translating each of the storage application functions to one or more network interface driver functions; transferring data blocks between the storage application and the network interface driver through a data buffer; translating each of the network interface driver functions to one or more storage application functions; wherein the storage application exchanges messages with a plurality of network interface drivers through the isolation layer; and wherein the isolation layer is configured to allow continued functionality between the storage application and a plurality of existing network interface drivers after an addition of another network interface driver and before an update to the storage application.