A system interface includes a plurality of first directors, a plurality of second
directors, a data transfer section and a message network. The data transfer section
includes a cache memory. The cache memory is coupled to the plurality of first
and second directors. The messaging network operates independently of the data
transfer section and such network is coupled to the plurality of first directors
and the plurality of second directors. The first and second directors control data
transfer between the first directors and the second directors in response to messages
passing between the first directors and the second directors through the messaging
network to facilitate data transfer between first directors and the second directors.
The data passes through the cache memory in the data transfer section. A method
for operating a data storage system adapted to transfer data between a host computer/server
and a bank of disk drives. The method includes transferring messages through a
messaging network with the data being transferred between the host computer/server
and the bank of disk drives through a cache memory, such message network being
independent of the cache memory.
