Patent ID: 7107320

Claim:
A method for mirroring data using two controllers in a storage system, comprising: determining that metadata relating to data to be mirrored by a first controller to a second controller can be sent in a small write mirror message; providing a first message comprising a write mirror message that includes said metadata relating to data to be mirrored by a first controller to a second controller and in which said first message including said metadata is not greater than 128 bits, with said first message being part of a first mirroring operation, wherein said first message is generated by said first controller, and wherein said first message comprises an initial notification message; and continuing with said first mirroring operation after said providing a first message by providing a second message comprising a data mirror message that includes user data to said second controller, wherein said first message is associated with a first number of interrupts, wherein in response to determining that metadata cannot be sent in a small write mirror message a second message is sent and is associated with a second number of interrupts, and wherein said first number of interrupts is less than said second number of interrupts.