Apparatus including an i/o interface and a network interface and related method of use

Abstract

A computer readable storage device stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations including receiving input/output (I/O) traffic from a host device via a dedicated I/O channel at a first interface. The I/O traffic includes a write command or a read command. The operations include receiving first data via a network at a second interface, storing second data at a cache memory, and storing third data at a storage device. The operations include accessing the cache memory during processing of the I/O traffic. The operations further include performing one or more access operations at the storage device based on the I/O traffic. The one or more access operations utilize a communication path between the processor and the storage device. The communication path is distinct from the dedicated I/O channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer readable storage device storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 receiving input/output ( 1 / 0 ) traffic from a host device via a dedicated I/O channel at a first interface, the I/O traffic comprising a write command;   receiving first data via a network at a second interface;   storing second data at a cache memory;   storing third data at a storage device;   accessing the cache memory during processing of the I/O traffic; and   performing one or more access operations at the storage device based on the I/O traffic, the one or more access operations utilizing a communication path between the processor and the storage device, the communication path distinct from the dedicated I/O channel.   
     
     
         2 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the I/O traffic is distinct from the first data. 
     
     
         3 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise performing a first access operation at the storage device independently of the dedicated I/O channel. 
     
     
         4 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the second data is written at the cache memory in response to the write command. 
     
     
         5 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 receiving a read request via the network; and   transmitting at least a portion of the second data from the cache memory via the network.   
     
     
         6 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise storing fourth data at the cache memory, wherein the second data is indicated by the write command, and wherein the fourth data is indicated by a second write command received at the second interface. 
     
     
         7 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the second interface comprises an Ethernet interface. 
     
     
         8 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the second interface comprises an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) interface. 
     
     
         9 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the I/O traffic further comprises a read command. 
     
     
         10 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the first data comprises a read request, a write request, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A computer readable storage device storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 receiving input/output (I/O) traffic from a host device via a dedicated I/O channel at a first interface, the I/O traffic comprising a read command;   receiving first data via a network at a second interface;   storing second data at a cache memory;   storing third data at a storage device;   accessing the cache memory during processing of the I/O traffic; and   performing one or more access operations at the storage device based on the I/O traffic, the one or more access operations utilizing a communication path between the processor and the storage device, the communication path distinct from the dedicated I/O channel.   
     
     
         12 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 11 , wherein the I/O traffic is distinct from the first data. 
     
     
         13 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise performing a first access operation at the storage device independently of the dedicated I/O channel. 
     
     
         14 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise routing the read command to the cache memory or to the storage device. 
     
     
         15 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 receiving a read request via the network; and   transmitting at least a portion of the second data from the cache memory via the network.   
     
     
         16 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise storing fourth data at the cache memory, wherein the fourth data is indicated by a write command received at the second interface. 
     
     
         17 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 11 , wherein the second interface comprises an Ethernet interface. 
     
     
         18 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 11 , wherein the second interface comprises an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) interface. 
     
     
         19 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 11 , wherein the I/O traffic further comprises a write command. 
     
     
         20 . A computer readable storage device storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 receiving input/output (I/O) traffic from a host device via a dedicated I/O channel at a first interface, the I/O traffic comprising a read command, a write command, or a combination thereof;   receiving first data via a network at a second interface, wherein the network comprises the Internet, and wherein the first data is distinct from the I/O traffic;   storing second data at a cache memory;   storing third data at a storage device;   accessing the cache memory during processing of at least one command of the I/O traffic; and   performing one or more access operations at the storage device based on one or more commands included in the I/O traffic, the one or more access operations utilizing a communication path between a processor and the storage device, the communication path distinct from the dedicated I/O channel, wherein the storage device and the dedicated I/O channel are independently accessible by the processor.