# Patent

## Title
Storage controllers with dynamic WWN storage modules and methods for managing data and connections between a host and a storage device

## Abstract

A controller including an interface module and an index module. The interface module is configured to connect devices. The index module is configured to include, in a table stored in memory, an entry for each of the devices. Each entry includes an address field. The index module is configured to: receive a frame of data including an address of one of the devices; compare the address to the address fields associated with the entries in the table; in response to the address matching one of the address fields, access an index value identifying an entry of the table when the address matches one of the address fields; and in response to the address not matching one of the address fields, generate the index value. The index value is used to connect the device associated with the matching one of the address fields with the one of the devices.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/894,144, filed Jul. 19, 2004. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to storage device controllers, and more particularly, to efficiently managing data flow using a WWN module.
2. Background
Conventional computer systems typically include several functional components. These components may include a central processing unit (CPU), main memory, input/output (“I/O”) devices, and streaming storage devices (for example, tape drives/disks) (referred to herein as “storage device”).
In conventional systems, the main memory is coupled to the CPU via a system bus or a local memory bus. The main memory is used to provide the CPU access to data and/or program information that is stored in main memory at execution time. Typically, the main memory is composed of random access memory (RAM) circuits. A computer system with the CPU and main memory is often referred to as a host system.
The storage device is coupled to the host system via a controller that handles complex details of interfacing the storage device to the host system. Communications between the host system and the controller is usually provided using one of a variety of standard I/O bus interfaces.
Typically, when data is read from a storage device, a host system sends a read command to the controller, which stores the read command into a buffer memory. Data is read from the device and stored in the buffer memory.
Various standard interfaces are used to move data from host systems to storage devices. Fibre channel is one such standard. Fibre channel (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) is an American National Standard Institute (ANSI) set of standards, which provides a serial transmission protocol for storage and network protocols such as HIPPI, SCSI, IP, ATM and others. Fibre channel provides an input/output interface to meet the requirements of both channel and network users.
Host systems often communicate with storage systems using the standard “PCI” bus interface. PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect, a local bus standard that was developed by Intel Corporation®. The PCI standard is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Most modern computing systems include a PCI bus in addition to a more general expansion bus (e.g. the ISA bus). PCI is a 64-bit bus and can run at clock speeds of 33 or 66 MHz.
PCI-X is a standard bus that is compatible with existing PCI cards using the PCI bus. PCI-X improves the data transfer rate of PCI from 132 MBps to as much as 1 GBps. The PCI-X standard (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) was developed by IBM®, Hewlett Packard Corporation® and Compaq Corporation® to increase performance of high bandwidth devices, such as Gigabit Ethernet standard and Fibre Channel Standard, and processors that are part of a cluster.
The iSCSI standard (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) is based on Small Computer Systems Interface (“SCSI”), which enables host computer systems to perform block data input/output (“I/O”) operations with a variety of peripheral devices including disk and tape devices, optical storage devices, as well as printers and scanners.
A traditional SCSI connection between a host system and peripheral device is through parallel cabling and is limited by distance and device support constraints. For storage applications, iSCSI was developed to take advantage of network architectures based on Fibre Channel and Gigabit Ethernet standards. iSCSI leverages the SCSI protocol over established networked infrastructures and defines the means for enabling block storage applications over TCP/IP networks. iSCSI defines mapping of the SCSI protocol with TCP/IP. The iSCSI architecture is based on a client/server model. Typically, the client is a host system such as a file server that issues a read or write command. The server may be a disk array that responds to the client request.
Serial ATA (“SATA”) is another standard, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety that has evolved from the parallel ATA interface for storage systems. SATA provides a serial link with a point-to-point connection between devices and data transfer can occur at 150 megabytes per second.
Another standard that has been developed is Serial Attached Small Computer Interface (“SAS”), incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The SAS standard allows data transfer between a host system and a storage device. SAS provides a disk interface technology that leverages SCSI, SATA, and fibre channel interfaces for data transfer. SAS uses a serial, point-to-point topology to overcome the performance barriers associated with storage systems based on parallel bus or arbitrated loop architectures.
The SAS specification addresses all devices in its domain by using a World Wide Name (WWN) address. The WWN is a unique 64-bit field that is allocated by IEEE to storage devices manufacturers.
In a SAS domain there could be up to 256 active devices. The devices could be of Initiator type or Target type. Initiator device initiates an Input/Output process (I/O) by sending a Command frame. The Target device completes an I/O by sending a Response frame. Any Initiator device may have up to 256 active I/O commands at a given time. Before any frame is sent, a connection is established between two SAS devices. A connection consists of an “Open Address” frame with a WWN field in it. On every Open Address, the receiving device compares the Open Address WWN to open I/O commands. Also, every I/O command may have multiple connections.
Typically, storage controllers use a Micro Controller that is 8-bit wide. The foregoing process of tracking connections using the 64-bit WWN addresses is time consuming. Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for efficiently manage connections and effectively use the WWN addresses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a method for managing frames entering or leaving a storage controller is provided. The method includes, comparing frame elements of incoming frames, including a unique World Wide Name (WWN) address with a WWN module entry; and if there is a match, updating a counter value for a connection between the storage controller and a device sending frames. A WWN index value is provided to a processor of the storage controller. The counter value is increased when a command frame is received and decreased when a command is executed and a response is sent to the device.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a storage controller for transferring data between a host and a Serial Attached Small Computer Interface (“SAS”) device is provided. The storage controller includes: a World Wide Name (“WWN”) module that includes a table having plural entries, wherein each row includes a WWN address, an initiator tag value field, and an input/output counter value that tracks plural commands for a connection. The WWN module uses the WWN index value that represents an address of a row having plural entries.
The WWN module is a part of a link module that interfaces between a transport module and a physical module for transferring information. The WWN index value is smaller than the WWN address and can be read by a micro-controller or processor of the storage controller.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a WWN module in a storage controller is provided. The WWN module includes, a table having plural entries, wherein each row includes a WWN address, an initiator tag value field, and an input/output counter value that tracks plural commands for a connection.
This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof concerning the attached drawings.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing features and other features of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of a preferred embodiment. In the drawings, the same components have the same reference numerals. The illustrated embodiment is intended to illustrate, but not to limit the invention. The drawings include the following Figures:
FIG. 1A shows an example of a storage drive system used with the adaptive aspects of the present invention;
FIG. 1B shows a block diagram of a SAS module used in a controller, according to one aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 1C shows a detailed block diagram of a SAS module, according to one aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 1D shows a SAS frame that is received/transmitted using the SAS module according to one aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 2A shows a block diagram of a WWN Index module, according to one aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 2B shows yet another block diagram of a WWN Index module with plural commands, according to one aspect of the present invention;
FIGS. 3A-3G illustrate the various process steps for implementing the WWN index module, according to one aspect of the present invention; and
FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram for using the WWN index module, according to one aspect of the present invention.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Controller Overview
To facilitate an understanding of the preferred embodiment, the general architecture and operation of a controller will initially be described. The specific architecture and operation of the preferred embodiment will then be described with reference to the general architecture.
FIG. 1A shows an example of a storage drive system (with an optical disk or tape drive), included in (or coupled to) a computer system. The host computer (not shown) and the storage device 110 (also referred to as disk 110) communicate via a port using a disk formatter “DF” 104. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the storage device 110 is an external storage device, which is connected to the host computer via a data bus. The data bus, for example, is a bus in accordance with a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) specification. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other communication buses known in the art can be used to transfer data between the drive and the host system.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the system includes controller 101, which is coupled to buffer memory 111 and microprocessor 100. Interface 109 serves to couple microprocessor bus 107 to microprocessor 100 and a micro-controller 102 and facilitates transfer of data, address, timing and control information. A read only memory (“ROM”) omitted from the drawing is used to store firmware code executed by microprocessor 100.
Controller 101 can be an integrated circuit (IC) that comprises of various functional modules, which provide for the writing and reading of data stored on storage device 110. Buffer memory 111 is coupled to controller 101 via ports to facilitate transfer of data, timing and address information. Buffer memory 111 may be a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (“DDR-SDRAM”) or synchronous dynamic random access memory (“SDRAM”), or any other type of memory.
Disk formatter 104 is connected to microprocessor bus 107 and to buffer controller 108. A direct memory access (“DMA”) DMA interface (not shown) is connected to microprocessor bus 107 and to data and control port (not shown).
Buffer controller (also referred to as “BC”) 108 connects buffer memory 111, channel one (CH1) logic 105, error correction code (“ECC”) module 106 to bus 107. Buffer controller 108 regulates data movement into and out of buffer memory 111.
CH1 logic 105 is functionally coupled to SAS module 103 that is described below in detail. CH1 Logic 105 interfaces between buffer memory 111 and SAS module 103. SAS module 103 interfaces with host interface 104A to transfer data to and from disk 110.
Data flow between a host and disk passes through buffer memory 111 via channel 0 (CH0) logic 106A. ECC module 106 generates ECC that is saved on disk 110 during a write operation and provides correction mask to BC 108 for disk 110 read operation.
The Channels, CH0 106A, CH1 105 and Channel 2 (not shown) are granted arbitration turns when they are allowed access to buffer memory 111 in high speed burst write or read operations for a certain number of clocks. The channels use first-in-first out (“FIFO”) type memories to store data that is in transit. Firmware running on processor 100 can access the channels based on bandwidth and other requirements.
To read data from device 110, a host system sends a read command to controller 101, which stores the read commands in buffer memory 111. Microprocessor 100 then reads the command out of buffer memory 111 and initializes the various functional blocks of controller 101. Data is read from device 110 and is passed to buffer controller 108.
To write data, a host system sends a write command to disk controller 101, which is stored in buffer 111. Microprocessor 100 reads the command out of buffer 111 and sets up the appropriate registers. Data is transferred from the host and is first stored in buffer 111, before being written to disk 110. Cyclic redundancy code (“CRC”) values are calculated based on a logical block address (“LBA”) for the sector being written. Data is read out of buffer 111, appended with ECC code and written to disk 110.
Frame Structure:
FIG. 1D shows a SAS frame 129 that is received/transmitted using SAS module 103. Frame 129 includes a WWN address 129A, a start of frame (“SOF”) value 129G, a frame header 129B that includes a frame type field 129E, payload/data 129C, CRC value 129D and end of frame (“EOF”) 129F. WWN address 129A is used for each open connection at a given time.
Also, a frame may be an interlock or non-interlocked, specified by field 129E. For an interlock frame, acknowledgement from a host is required for further processing, after the frame is sent to the host. Non-interlock frames are passed through to a host without host acknowledgement (up to 256 frames per the SAS standard).
SAS Module 103:
FIG. 1B shows a top level block diagram for SAS module 103 used in controller 101. SAS module 103 includes a physical (“PHY”) module 112, a link module 113 and a transport module (“TRN”) 114 described below in detail. A micro-controller 115 is used to co-ordinate operations between the various modules. A SAS interface 116 is also provided to the PHY module 112 for interfacing with a host and interface 117 is used to initialize the PHY module 112.
FIG. 1C shows a detailed block diagram of SAS module 103 with various sub-modules. Incoming data 112C is received from a host system, while outgoing data 112D is sent to a host system or another device/component.
PHY Module 112:
PHY module 112 includes a serial/deserializer (“SERDES”) 112A that serializes encoded data for transmission (112D), and de-serializes received data (112C). SERDES 112A also recovers a clock signal from incoming data stream 112C and performs word alignment.
PHY control module 112B controls SERDES 112A and provides the functions required by the SATA standard.
Link Module 113:
Link module 113 opens and closes connections, exchanges identity frames, maintains ACK/NAK (i.e. acknowledged/not acknowledged) balance and provides credit control. As shown in FIG. 1C, link module 113 has a receive path 118 that receives incoming frames 112C and a transmit path 120 that assists in transmitting information 112D. Addresses 121 and 122 are used for received and transmitted data, respectively. WWN index module 119A is used for maintaining plural connections states, described below in detail.
Receive path 118 includes a converter 118C for converting 10-bit data to 8-bit data, an elasticity buffer/primitive detect segment 118B that transfers data from a receive clock domain to a transmit block domain and decodes primitives. Descrambler module 118A unscrambles data and checks for cyclic redundancy check code (“CRC”).
Transmit path 120 includes a scrambler 120A that generates CRC and scrambles (encodes) outgoing data; and primitive mixer module 120B that generates primitives required by SAS protocol/standard and multiplexes the primitives with the outgoing data. Converter 120C converts 8-bit data to 10-bit format.
Link module 113 uses plural state machines 119 to achieve the various functions of its sub-components. State machines 119 includes a receive state machine for processing receive frames, a transmit state machine for processing transmit frames, a connection state machine for performing various connection related functions and an initialization state machine that becomes active after an initialization request or reset.
Transport Module 114:
Transport module 114 interfaces with CH1 105 and link module 113. In transmit mode, TRN module 114 receives data from CH 1 105, loads the data (with fibre channel header (FCP) 127) in FIFO 125 and sends data to Link module 113 encapsulated with a header (129B) and a CRC value (129D). In receive mode, TRN MODULE 114 receives data from link module 113 (in FIFO 124), and re-packages data (extracts header 126 and 128) before being sent to CH 1105. CH1 105 then writes the data to buffer 111. State machine 123 is used to co-ordinate data transfer in the receive and transmit paths.
WWN Index Module 119A
WWN Index module 119A, as shown in FIG. 2A, includes a table with “n” (where n is greater than 1) elements. WWN Index module 119A stores information about each open connection between storage controller 101 and a device/host. WWN Index module 119A has plural rows/layers. Each row (for example, row 206 in FIG. 2A) is referred to by its index value (address value) 205. For example, row 206 includes a SAS address field (64 bit WWN address) 200, an Initiator Connection tag (16 bits) 201, an I/O counter (10 bits) 202, a single bit (“V”) 203 to indicate the validity of an entry and a fresh (F) field 204 that indicates the latest row that is being serviced.
When an Open Address frame is received, the WWN address 129A (WWN address field) of the received frame is compared with the WWN address field (200) in module 119A. A successful comparison returns a WWN index value 205. This WWN index value 205 is provided to MC 115. Since the WWN index value 205 is an 8-bit field, MC 115 can handle it very efficiently.
It is noteworthy that the present invention is not limited to any particular size of module 119A or any of its entries. For example, WWN index value 205 is not limited to an 8-bit value or any other size.
If a WWN address of an Open Address frame is not recognized by module 119A entries and the first frame is of Command type, then a new entry (or row 206) is created and its I/O count 202 is set to one. The new row 206 is allocated a WWN index value 205, so that when a frame from the same source/connection arrives again, then module 119A can return the proper WWN index value (205) after the comparison.
For each frame crossing link module 113, the frame type is checked. If the frame is of Command type, the I/O counter of the active entry is incremented (increased) (202). If the frame is of Response type, the I/O count of the active entry is decremented (decreased). When the I/O count reaches zero, the valid bit 203 is reset and the entry becomes vacant.
FIG. 2B shows a detailed diagram of WWN module 119A with row 206. The various entries are loaded in rows based on receive access (path) 207 and transmit access (path) 208. Reset command 209 is used to reset module 119A. MC 102, MC 115 or MP 100 may issue the reset command.
“Get Index by WWN” 213 (or signal 213) allows searching of module 119A by WWN address 200 and/or Initiator Tag value 201. MC 115, MC 102 or MP 100 may use this function. If the “Get Index by WWN” function 213 finds an entry that matches a search term (for example, for an incoming frame), then the WWN index value 205 is returned with a “success” flag. If no match is found then a new entry is allocated and the new value is returned. If the table is full based on signal 213, then a “fail” flag is returned. A successful allocation causes the valid bit 203 to be set. The valid bit 203 is cleared for an entry when the I/O counter value 202 reaches a certain value, for example, 0.
Signal/command “INC by Index” 212 is used to increment the index value 205. Also, MP 100 (or MC 102 or 115) may load a row (for example, 206) by using an index value 205 (by using “Load by Index” command 211). Using “Clear by Index” signal/command 210 clears entries in a row (206).
FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram for using module 119A, according to one aspect of the present invention. Turning in detail to FIG. 4, in step S400, a request to open connection is made between a device (SAS peer device) 300A (FIG. 3A) and controller 101. If the request is accepted, then a connection is established in step S401, otherwise the process loops back to step S400 and waits. The connection is shown as 301A in FIG. 3A. At this stage the I/O counter value is zero (shown as 202A).
In step S402, the process determines if a WWN address entry exists. If yes, the process moves to step S404. If an entry does not exist in step S402, then an entry is created in step S403.
In step S404, a WWN index value is established for the entry (WWN index value 205).
In step S405, a frame is received/transmitted by controller 101.
In step S406, the process determines if a frame is of command type. If yes, then I/O counter value 202 is incremented (202B, FIG. 3B). If the frame is not of command type, then in step S408, the process determines if the frame is of response type. If the frame is of a response type, then the I/O counter value 202 is decremented (202B, FIG. 3F).
If the frame is not of a response type (in step S410), then the connection is closed in step S410 and in step S411, all the entries are de-allocated with the I/O counter value 202 cleared to zero (202A, FIG. 3A).
FIGS. 3A-3G illustrate the use of WWN module 119A, according to one aspect of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows that a connection 301A is established between controller 101 and device 300A. I/O counter value is zero, shown as 202A. FIG. 3B shows that a command 300 is received and thereafter, the I/O counter value is increased to 1 (shown as 202B).
FIG. 3C shows that data 301 is received from device 300A and I/O counter value remains the same (i.e. 1). FIG. 3D shows that controller 101 receives another command 302 and that device 300A is ready for a transfer (shown as 300B). The I/O counter value is increased to 2, shown as 202C.
FIG. 3E shows that data 304 is received by device 300A via controller 101 and data 303 is received from device 300A. I/O counter value remains 2 (shown as 202C).
FIG. 3F shows that command 300 is complete and a response 305 is received by device 300A. I/O counter value is decreased to 1 and is shown as 202B.
FIG. 3G shows that data 306 is received by device 300A via controller 101. After command 302 is complete, response 307 is sent to device 300A. Thereafter, the I/O counter value is decreased to zero, shown as 202A.
In one aspect of the present invention, a dynamic WWN module is provided that dynamically updates connection information. Also, the WWN module provides an easy to use index value that can be used by MC 115, MC 102 and MP 100.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, these embodiments are illustrative only and not limiting. Many other applications and embodiments of the present invention will be apparent in light of this disclosure.

## Claims

1. A controller comprising:
an interface module configured to connect a plurality of devices; and
an index module configured to
include, in a table stored in memory, an entry for each of the plurality of devices, wherein each entry comprises an address field,
receive a first frame of data including a first address of one of the plurality of devices,
compare the first address to the address fields associated with the entries in the table,
in response to the first address matching one of the address fields, access an index value identifying an entry of the table when the first address matches one of the address fields, and
in response to the first address not matching one of the address fields, generate the index value,
wherein the index value is used by the interface module to connect the device associated with the matching one of the address fields with the one of the plurality of devices.

2. The controller of claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of devices comprise a first device and a second device, wherein the second device is the one of the plurality of devices;
the index module is configured to receive the first frame of data from the first device; and
the first address identifies the second device.

3. The controller of claim 2, wherein the first device is a host device and the second device is a hard disk drive.

4. The controller of claim 1, wherein each entry further comprises at least one of a counter value, an initiator tag, a validity value, or a latest row serviced value.

5. The controller of claim 1, wherein the first address is a world wide name (WWN) address.

6. The controller of claim 1, wherein:
the first address has a first length; and
the index value has a second length that is less than the first length.

7. The controller of claim 1, further comprising a microcontroller configured to track open connections of the one of the plurality of devices using the index value to search the table for the entry of the one of the plurality of devices, wherein each of the open connections has a corresponding address frame with a world wide name field.

8. The controller of claim 1, wherein:
the index module is configured to receive a second frame of data including a second address; and
in response to the second address not matching one of the address fields, the index module is configured to generate for a device other than the one of the plurality of devices (i) a new entry and (ii) a respective index value.

9. The controller of claim 1, wherein:
the index module is configured to store the table in the memory;
a row of the table includes the first address; and
the index value (i) is a second address and (ii) identifies the row.

10. The controller of claim 1, wherein:
the index module is configured to identify a device sending or receiving frames of data via the index value;
the index value corresponds to a row of the table, wherein (i) the table includes the entries of the plurality of devices and (ii) the row includes the first address; and
each address of the table corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of devices.

11. The controller of claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of devices includes a first device and a second device, wherein the one of the plurality of devices is the second device; and
the index module is configured to
identify the first device based on the index value, wherein the first device sends the first frame of data to the controller, and
deallocates the index value based on whether there is an open connection between the first device and the second device, wherein the open connection has a corresponding address frame with a world wide name field.

12. The controller of claim 1, wherein:
each entry comprises a counter value; and
the counter value indicates a number of commands for a connection with one of the plurality of devices.

13. The controller of claim 1, wherein:
each entry comprises a counter value; and
the counter value indicates a number of open connections between two of the plurality of devices, wherein each of the open connections has a corresponding address frame with a world wide name field.

14. The controller of claim 1, wherein the index module is configured to:
generate a counter value indicating at least one of (i) a number of open connections with the one of the plurality of devices or (ii) a number of commands for a connection with the one of the plurality of devices, wherein each of the open connections has a corresponding address frame with a world wide name field; and
clear the counter value to zero and close a connection with the one of the plurality of devices based on whether there is a command for a connection with the one of the plurality of devices.

15. The controller of claim 1, wherein the index module is configured to:
generate a counter value indicating at least one of (i) a number of open connections with the one of the plurality of devices or (ii) a number of commands for a connection with the one of the plurality of devices, wherein each of the open connections has a corresponding address frame with a world wide name field;
increase the counter value when a command frame is received from a first device; and
decrease the counter value when (i) a command is executed by a second device and (ii) a response is sent to the first device, wherein the second device is the one of the plurality of devices.

16. The controller of claim 1, wherein the interface module includes a Serial Attached Small Computer Interface (SAS) module.

17. The controller of claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of devices comprise a host device and a Serial Attached Small Computer Interface (SAS) device; and
the index module is configured to generate and adjust a counter value to track connections between the host device and the Serial Attached Small Computer Interface (SAS) device.

18. The controller of claim 1, wherein:
the table comprises a WWN address for each of the plurality of devices; and
the index module is configured to update a counter value if there is a match between the first address and one of the address fields, wherein the counter value indicates a number of connections between the controller and the one of the plurality of devices.

19. The controller of claim 1, further comprising a link module configured to transfer data between a transport module and the physical layer device, wherein:
the physical layer device comprises (i) a serializer and deserializer device and (ii) a physical layer control module;
the physical layer control module controls operation of the serializer and deserializer device;
the serializer and deserializer device deserializes the first frame of data;
the link module (i) comprises the index module and (ii) opens a connection for the one of the plurality of devices based on the deserialized first frame of data;
the transport module comprises (i) a first-in-first-out buffer in a receive path, (ii) a first-in-first-out buffer in a transmit path, and (ii) a transport state machine, wherein the transport state machine coordinates data transfer in the receive path and in the transmit path; and
the first-in-first-out buffer of the receive path stores the deserialized first frame of data.