90th Patent for Dot Hill

Dot Hill Systems Corp. has patented a method for achieving greater data availability and reliability for SAS-based storage systems.

The technology has been incorporated into its AssuredSAN 3000 Series storage arrays, helping to maintains constant, reliable SAS connections between storage systems and host servers.

"The slightest interruption to data can be deadly for many businesses. Backed by a growing portfolio of patented technologies, Dot Hill AssuredSAN storage solutions achieve 99.999% availability so organizations can rest assured they have round-the-clock access to their data," said Ken Day, CTO, Dot Hill. "This latest innovation uses the inherent capabilities of SAS technology to produce higher availability in storage systems, supporting Dot Hill’s relentless pursuit of a better customer experience."

Dot Hill’s 90th U.S. patent, numbered 8,458,527, maintains SAS connectivity to storage arrays and JBODS by detecting and remediating errors without terminating communications. The invention takes advantage of various link operating speeds supported by SAS standards, and attempts to transmit at lower link speeds if a detected error count reaches a predetermined threshold. Each link can be monitored and adjusted independently, taking local transmit and receive conditions into account. The invention continues to monitor link errors continuously, and can shift to a higher link speed if certain conditions are met.

Advantages of this invention are improved system reliability (by attempting to transmit/receive at a lower speed, instead of simply terminating communications on links with errors). This also improves data availability since in most cases data will still be accessible even with link errors. The invention provides a resilient system since link speeds can be increased under certain conditions.

Dot Hill’s development efforts have resulted in numerous patent awards for its technologies. Its IP, demonstrated by its extensive patent portfolio, stands on three pillars of innovation which, when combined, provide a complete platform for addressing customers’ storage needs. These pillars include software, platforms and systems, which combine to create advanced SAN storage.