Patent ID: 8176217

Claim:
A method for transmitting data between a host device and a plurality of target devices during data transfer phases of inputs/outputs (I/Os), wherein the host device and the plurality of target devices are communicatively coupled through an intermediate device via a connection medium, the method comprising: receiving an initial read request at the intermediate device, said initial read request having been transmitted from the host device to the intermediate device, said initial read request including a request for read data; generating a second read request and a third read request via the intermediate device, said second read request and third read request being based on the initial read request; transmitting the second read request from the intermediate device to a first target device included in the plurality of target devices; transmitting the third read request from the intermediate device to a second target device included in the plurality of target devices; receiving a first signal at the intermediate device, said first signal having been transmitted from the first target device to the intermediate device; receiving a second signal at the intermediate device, said second signal having been transmitted from the second target device to the intermediate device; after receiving the first signal, establishing a first data transfer connection via the intermediate device between the host device and the intermediate device; after receiving the second signal, establishing a second data transfer connection via the intermediate device between the host device and the intermediate device; after establishing the first data transfer connection between the intermediate device and the host device, streaming a first portion of the requested read data from the first target device to the host device via the intermediate device and via the first data transfer connection for granting the initial read request, said first portion of the requested read data including data requested in the initial read request; and after establishing the second data transfer connection and after streaming of said first portion of the requested read data from the first target device to the host device via the intermediate device is complete, streaming a second portion of the requested read data from the second target device to the host device via the intermediate device and via the second data transfer connection for granting the initial read request, said second portion of the requested read data including data requested in the initial read request.