Protectable data storage system and a method of protecting and/or managing a data storage system

• US 20040024919A1
• Filed: 08/02/2002
• Published: 02/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NetApp, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Alacritus, Inc.
• Inventors: Trimmer, Don Alvin, Stager, Roger Keith, Blaser, Rico
• Granted Patent: US 7,454,529 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/80 in storage media based on magnetic or optical technology, e.g. disks with sectors preventing unauthorised reproduction or copying of disc-type recordable media G11B20/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0601 Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0673 Single storage device

Abstract

A method of protecting a data storage system including the steps of: providing a disk system including a plurality of disk modules, each disk module containing a disk controller and a disk driver, the disk driver being in detachable electrical communication with the disk controller; and physically disconnecting the disk controller from the disk driver for any of the plurality of disk modules that are not required by the data storage system for the transfer of data.

Claims

1. A protectable data storage system, the system comprising:

a disk system comprising a plurality of disk modules, each disk module including a disk, a disk driver, and a disk controller;

at least one conduit that supplies power and/or digital data to each disk module, the disk controller regulates the power and/or digital data supplied to the disk module;

at least one connector mechanism disposed within at least one of the plurality of disk modules between the disk controller and the disk driver, the at least one connector mechanism being capable of establishing electrical communication between the disk controller and the disk driver, the at least one connector mechanism being moveable between a first position, in which the disk controller and the disk driver are in electrical communication, and a second position, in which the disk controller is physically disconnected from the disk driver preventing power and/or digital data from reaching the disk driver and preventing data from being transferred between the disk and the at least one conduit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each connector mechanism is a solenoid.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one connector mechanism is disposed in each disk module between the disk controller and the disk driver.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a central controller that regulates the disk system, the central controller maintaining a minimum number of the at least one connector mechanisms in the first position so that each disk is only in communication with the disk controller when information is being transferred between that disk and the central controller.

5. A protectable data storage system, the system comprising:

a disk system for storing data;

a central controller that regulates the disk system and is in detachable electrical communication with the disk system via at least one system conduit;

at least one connector mechanism disposed on the at least one system conduit between the disk system and the central controller, the at least one connector mechanism being capable of establishing electrical communication between the disk system and the central controller, the at least one connector mechanism being moveable between a first position, in which the disk system and the central controller are in electrical communication, and a second position, in which the disk system is physically disconnected from the central controller preventing signals from being received by the disk system to allow power and/or digital data to be transferred to and/or from the disk system.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each connector mechanism is a solenoid.

7. A method of protecting and managing the power consumption of a data storage system, the method comprising:

providing a disk system including a plurality of disk modules, each disk module containing a disk controller and a disk driver, the disk driver being in detachable electrical communication with the disk controller;

physically disconnecting the disk controller from the disk driver for any of the plurality of disk modules that are not required by the data storage system for the transfer of data.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of physically disconnecting the disk controller further comprises moving a solenoid from a first position, in which electrical communication is established between the disk controller and the disk driver, to a second position, in which the disk controller is disconnected from the disk driver.

9. A method of protecting a data storage system, the method comprising:

providing a disk system;

providing a central controller in detachable electrical communication with the disk system to regulate power and/or data transferred to the disk system;

physically disconnecting the disk system from the central controller when data transfer to and/or from the disk system is not needed.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of physically disconnecting the disk system further comprises moving a solenoid from a first position, in which electrical communication is established between the disk system and the central controller, to a second position, in which the disk system is disconnected from the central controller.

11. A protectable data storage system, the system comprising:

a disk system for storing data;

a central controller that regulates the disk system and is in electrical communication with the disk system;

at least one storage system conduit in electrical communication with the disk system for transferring data to and/or from the protectable data storage system; and

at least one connector mechanism disposed on the at least one storage system conduit, the at least one connector mechanism being capable of establishing electrical communication to and/or from the protectable data storage system, the at least one connector mechanism being moveable between a first position, in which electrical communication to and/or from the protectable data storage system is possible, and a second position, in which the protectable data storage system is physically isolated to prevent electrical communication to and/or from the protectable data storage system.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein each connector mechanism is a solenoid.

13. A method of protecting a data storage system, the method comprising:

providing a data storage system having a disk system, a central controller, and at least one storage system conduit for transferring data to and/or from the data storage system; and

physically isolating the data storage system preventing data transfer to and/or from the data storage system by creating a physical gap in the at least one storage system conduit.

14. A method of managing the power consumption of a data storage system, the method comprising:

providing a disk system including a plurality of disk modules, each disk module containing a disk controller and a disk driver, the disk driver being in detachable electrical communication with the disk controller;

physically disconnecting the disk controller from the disk driver for any of the plurality of disk modules that are not required by the data storage system for the transfer of data to minimize power consumption by the data storage system.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of physically disconnecting the disk controller further comprises moving a solenoid from a first position, in which electrical communication is established between the disk controller and the disk driver, to a second position, in which the disk controller is disconnected from the disk driver.