Hierarchical Storage Controller

The Hierarchical Storage Controllers (HSC) were a series of stand-alone, intelligent mass storage controllers, created by DEC for use in VAXcluster system. They were connected to the VAX systems in the VAXcluster over Computer Interconnect links.

An HSC supports a number of disk and magnetic tape 'data channels' - the exact number of each depends on the HSC model. Disk data channels use the Standard Disk Interconnect, and can support up to four drives on each. Tape data channels use the Standard Tape Interconnect, and can support up to four formatters on each; the number of magnetic tape drives per formatter will depend on the formatter. (Dual-ported drives are supported, so that each drive is accessible via two HSC's, further improving reliability.)

Physically, an HSC consists of a number of boards mounted in a card cage held in an H9642 cabinet, along with power supply units. The drives are mounted in additional cabinets. Logically, an HSC contains:

• a CI interface
  • port processor
  • port buffer
  • port link
• a control processor
• memory
• disk data channel(s)
• tape data channel(s)

Several different HSC models were produced:

• HSC50
• HSC60
• HSC70
• HSC90

Further reading

• HSC User Guide (AA-GMEAA-TK) - not online

External links

• HSC - documentation at Bitsavers