Multi-level port expansion for port multipliers
View Patent ↗A port multiplier dynamically determines and reports its identity based on a number of supported downstream port connections. The number of supported downstream port connections can dynamically change. The port multiplier identifies devices connected to its downstream ports, whether storage devices or other port multipliers. Based on a total number of downstream ports, the port multiplier reports its identity upstream. The upstream reporting can be to another port multiplier, or the host device if directly connected to the host device. The port multiplier receives storage address space allocation from upstream based on its reported identity, and allocates the storage address space to its downstream ports.
1. A method comprising:
identifying one or more devices connected to downstream ports of a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) port multiplier device, the one or more devices including other SATA port multiplier devices;
detecting change in downstream port connections at the SATA port multiplier device;
updating an identity of the SATA port multiplier device based on the change in downstream port connections of the SATA port multiplier, the identity indicative of a number of available downstream port connections of the SATA port multiplier device for connecting the one or more devices;
sending the updated identity of the SATA port multiplier device to a device connected to an upstream port of the SATA port multiplier device; and
receiving allocation of storage address space to the SATA port multiplier device based on the updated identity, the storage address space allocation for existing downstream port connections remaining unchanged, and newly added downstream port connection allocated with new address space.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the allocation of storage address space is based on a JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks) expansion method, direct access to storage address space of a top level upstream device is granted to the SATA port multiplier device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the updated identity is sent to a top level upstream device that allocates address space according to a SATA standard.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the change in the downstream port connections is performed by at least detecting one of a disconnection of a storage device or connection of a storage device.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the change in the downstream port connections is performed by at least receiving an identity of a downstream port multiplier connected to the SATA port multiplier device.
6. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which when executed, cause a device to:
identify one or more devices connected to downstream ports of a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) port multiplier device, the one or more devices including other SATA port multiplier devices;
detect change in downstream port connections at the SATA port multiplier device;
update an identity of the SATA port multiplier device based on the change in the downstream port connections of the SATA port multiplier, the identity indicative of a number of available downstream port connections of the SATA port multiplier device for connecting the one or more devices;
send the updated identity of the SATA port multiplier device to a device connected to an upstream port of the SATA port multiplier device; and
receive allocation of storage address space to the SATA port multiplier device based on the updated identity, the storage address space allocation for existing downstream port connections remaining unchanged, and newly added downstream port connection allocated with new address space.
7. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6 , wherein the allocation of storage address space is based on a JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks) expansion method, direct access to storage address space of a top level upstream device is granted to the SATA port multiplier device.
8. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6 , the updated identity is sent to a top level upstream device that allocates address space according to a SATA standard.
9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6 , wherein detecting the change in the downstream port connections is performed by at least detecting one of a disconnection of a storage device or connection of a storage device.
10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6 , wherein the change in the downstream port connections is detected by receiving an identity of a downstream port multiplier connected to the SATA port multiplier device.
11. A port multiplier device comprising:
a plurality of downstream ports configured to enable connection to a number of downstream devices including other SATA port multiplier devices;
a port configuration module configured to detect change in the plurality of downstream port connections, and update an identity of the port multiplier device based on the change in the downstream port connections, the identity indicative of a number of available downstream port connections of the plurality of downstream ports for connecting the downstream devices, and allocate storage address space to each of the downstream ports based on the device count of downstream devices connected to each of the downstream ports, the storage address space allocation for existing downstream port connections remaining unchanged, and newly added downstream port connection allocated with new address space; and
an upstream port connected to a host device, the upstream port configured to report the updated identity of the port multiplier to the host device to cause the host device to allocate storage address space to the port multiplier device based on the updated identity.
12. The port multiplier device of claim 11 , wherein the port multiplier device is configured to report via the upstream port to a top level upstream device that allocates address space according to a SATA standard.
13. The port multiplier device of claim 11 , wherein the port configuration module is configured to detect disconnection of a storage device or connection of a storage device.
14. The port multiplier of claim 11 , wherein the port configuration module is further to receive an identity of a downstream port multiplier connected to the port multiplier device.