Patent ID: 6038613
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A device controller in a data storage system for pre-fetching device work information from each of a plurality of data storage devices, said device controller coupled to a storage path processor within a storage controller and further coupled to said plurality of data storage devices, said device controller comprising:a data receiver coupled to said storage path processor for receiving device subsystem commands, including a device poll command;a data transmitter coupled to said storage path processor for transmitting responses to said device subsystem commands, including said device work information;a device information register for storing said device work information from each said data storage device; anda sequencer coupled to said data receiver, said data transmitter, and said device information register, said sequencer fetching said device subsystem commands from said data receiver, said sequencer storing said responses to said device subsystem commands in said data transmitter, said sequencer further pre-fetching said device work information from said each data storage device before said storage path processor issues said device poll command, thereby immediately providing said device work information to said storage path processor when said device poll command is subsequently received.