Patent ID: 6883049

Claim:
A method for enabling a computer that processes data formatted in a first format to read a data unit that is formatted in a second format from a storage subsystem that is capable of storing data in either said first format or said second format, said method comprising: dispatching, from said computer to said storage subsystem, a command for said storage subsystem to report a data length of said data unit; sending, from said storage subsystem to said computer, a value of said data length; based on the value of the data length that is received at the computer, determining whether said data unit is in said first format or in said second format and preparing for receipt of said data unit, in said first format or said second format, having said data length; dispatching, from said computer to said storage subsystem, a command for said storage subsystem to forward said data unit to said computer; and sending said data unit from said storage subsystem to said computer.