摘要:
A method is disclosed to reconfigure a storage array. The method supplies a data storage and retrieval system comprising (N) data storage device assemblies, wherein each of those (N) data storage device assemblies comprises (M) data storage devices, wherein (N) is greater than or equal to 2, and wherein (M) is greater than or equal to 2. The method configures those (N) data storage device assemblies to comprise a spare data storage device assembly and a first storage array comprising the remaining (N−1) data storage device assemblies. In the event Applicants' method detects a failed data storage device disposed in the first storage array, then the method forms a second storage array comprising the first storage array, except the failed data storage device, in combination with a data storage device disposed in the spare data storage device assembly.
摘要:
In a fibre channel, arbitrated loop (FC-AL) network environment, an operating speed of devices within a switch domain within the network is optimized. The FC-AL switch domain is isolated from an attached storage controller, and a first signal is transmitted to each of a plurality of storage devices within the domain. The first signal comprises a request that each storage device transmit inquiry data to a control and management node (CMN) within the domain. In response to receipt of the inquiry data from each storage device, the speeds at which each storage device is operable are identified and an operational speed is then established for the domain. The established speed may be the fastest speed at which all devices can operate. Alternatively, one or more slower devices may be bypassed and the established speed may be the fastest speed at which all remaining devices can operate.
摘要:
An information storage and retrieval system is disclosed, wherein that information storage and retrieval system comprises a storage controller, comprising one or more host adapter ports, one or more device adapter ports, a processor, and a Fibre Channel switch. The information storage and retrieval system further comprises a Fibre Channel switch controller consisting essentially of a Fibre Channel switch and a processor. The system further comprises a plurality of data storage devices, where each of those data storage devices is interconnected with the storage controller and with the Fibre Channel switch controller.
摘要:
An apparatus is disclosed to convert data from a first sector format to a second sector format. The sector format conversion device includes a processor, and microcode which causes the processor to overlay (N) first sectors having a first sector format onto (M) second sectors having a second sector format, where that sector format conversion device does not include an operating system comprising a user mode and a kernel mode.
摘要:
In a RAID storage system, a parity value is generated. The storage system includes a RAID adapter, a plurality of disk array processors managing corresponding sets of RAID storage drives, and a connecting fabric. The RAID adapter initiates a parity generation operation, parallel instructions are dispatched for the array processors to each generate a partial parity value from data blocks on drives on respective managed RAID storage drives, the partial parity value is received in the RAID adapter from each array processor, and the partial parity values are combined in the RAID adapter to generate a complete parity value. The parity value may be an actual parity block to be stored on a hard disk drive or may be a reconstructed data block in the event of a failed drive.
摘要:
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for integrating an enclosure. An initialization module initializes a second enclosure. A discovery module discovers a connection of the second enclosure to a first enclosure. An address module creates a valid address for the second enclosure. An assignment module assigns the address to the second enclosure. A power control module cycles power to the second enclosure to reinitialize the second enclosure and set the address.
摘要:
A storage system includes a RAID adapter, disk array switches, sub-processors, and hard disk drives (HDDs). A disk-related operation is initiated in the RAID adapter. The RAID adapter dispatches a command to a disk array processor (or sub-processor) in an enclosure for the processor to perform the operation on one or more drives. The adapter may dispatch the command to a processor in a single enclosure through a disk array switch or to processors in multiple enclosures through switches in the upstream enclosures. The adapter is then free to perform other functions. The processor commences the specified operation on one or more selected drives, either sequentially one at a time or sequentially more than one (or all) at a time. Upon completion of the operation, the results are transmitted by the processor and received by the adapter. Thus, by offloading the task to the distributed sub-processors, the burden on the RAID adapter is significantly reduced, system bandwidth usage is reduced, and access to other drives within the enclosure (as well as within other enclosures) may be maintained. Tasks which may be offloaded in such a manner include, but are not limited to, drive firmware updating, drive scrubbing and secure data erasure.
摘要:
A method is disclosed to assign network addresses in a storage array disposed in a data storage and retrieval system comprising (P) data storage devices disposed in (N) data storage device assemblies. The method configures the (N) data storage device assemblies to comprise a spare data storage device assembly and a first storage array comprising (N−1) active data storage device assemblies, wherein each data storage device configured in the first storage array is assigned a network address, and wherein one of the spare data storage device disposed in the spare data storage device assembly is assigned a network address. In the event the method detects a failed data storage device disposed in the first storage array, then the method forms a second storage array comprising the first storage array, except the failed data storage device, in combination with the (i)th spare data storage device.
摘要:
A method is disclosed to assign addresses to a plurality of data storage devices. The method provides a switch and (N) data storage devices, where each of those (N) data storage devices is interconnected with said switch. The method further establishes (M) device addresses, where (M) is less than (N), and assigns a different one of each of the (M) device addresses to a different one of the (N) data storage devices, such that the (N) data storage devices comprise (M) address-assigned data storage devices and (P) non-address-assigned data storage devices. The method then detects a failure of the (i)th address-assigned data storage device, and transfers the (i)th address from the failed address-assigned data storage device to the (j)th data storage device, where that O)th data storage device comprises one of the (P) previously non-addressed data storage devices.
摘要:
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for fibre channel device addressing. The apparatus includes a mapping module, a receiving module, and an assigning module configured to execute the necessary steps of defining an address assignment map to associate a single logical address with a physical device, receive a request for the logical address defined for the physical device by the address assignment map, and consistently assign the logical address defined by the address assignment map to the physical device. Beneficially, the apparatus, system, and method provide for consistent and reliable fibre channel device addressing.