Patent ID: 7343448
Filing Date: 2008-03-11
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A storage system comprising: a cache controlling device that includes a cache memory as a high-speed-access storage medium, a cache controlling unit that controls access to the cache memory, a first network interface device that is connected to a network and controls communication through the network, and a first network driver that controls the first network interface device; a disk controlling device that including a disk as a high-capacity storage medium, a disk controlling unit that executes read/write control of data from and to the disk, a second network interface device that is connected to the network and controls communication through the network, and a second network driver that controls the second network interface device; and a control device that includes a third network interface device that is connected to the network and controls communication through the network, and a third network driver that controls the third network interface device, the control device being configured to accept an access request from a client device and makes the cache controlling device and the disk controlling device execute a process corresponding to the access request, wherein the cache controlling device, the disk controlling device, and the control device are decentralized on the network, and wherein the control device is configured to transmit a control data through the network to any one of the cache controlling device and the disk controlling device upon receiving the access request, the cache controlling device is configured to access the cache memory and to transmit an access result, via the first network interface device, directly to the client device through the network, and the disk controlling device is configured to access the disk and to transmit an access result, via the second network interface device, directly to the client device through the network.