Patent ID: 8806119

Claim:
A method of a storage apparatus coupled to a plurality of apparatuses, the storage apparatus including: a plurality of storage devices; a controller for controlling the plurality of storage devices; a port coupled to the plurality of apparatuses; and a port controller, the method comprising the steps of: generating, by the port controller, an initiator task when the controller sends a first access request, which is a read request or write request, to one of the plurality of apparatuses to execute the first access request; generating, by the port controller, a target task when the port receives a second access request, which is a read request or write request, from one of the plurality of apparatuses and notifying the controller of the second access request for the controller to execute the second access request; and controlling, by the port controller, the port so as to execute, in a time-sharing manner, data transfer between the storage apparatus and the plurality of apparatuses corresponding to a plurality of tasks including the initiator task and the target task generated by the port controller, when the storage apparatus executes the initiator task generated by the port controller: issuing a Login command to connect with the one of the plurality of apparatuses, sending and receiving data with the one of the plurality of apparatuses if the Login is authenticated, and issuing a Logout command, when the storage apparatus executes the target task generated by the port controller: authenticating a Login sent from the one of the plurality of apparatuses, sending and receiving data with the one of the plurality of apparatuses if the Login is valid, and authenticating a Logout command.