Temperature control to reduce cascade failures in a multi-device array

• US 20080005469A1
• Filed: 06/29/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC (Seagate Technology Holdings Plc)
• Original Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC (Seagate Technology Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: Pherson, James Edwin, Arnson, Timothy E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,849,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/114
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/00 Error detection; Error correction; Monitoring error detection, correction or monitoring in information storage based on relative movement between record carrier and transducer G11B20/18; monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing G11B27/36; in static stores G11C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1441 Resetting or repowering
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/046 Detection or prevention or problems due to temperature

Abstract

Method and apparatus for reducing a likelihood of a cascade failure in a multi-device array. The array preferably comprises a controller and a plurality of storage devices to define a memory space across which data are stored in accordance with a selected RAID configuration. The controller operates to sever an operational connection between the storage devices and a host device in relation to a detected temperature of at least one storage device of the array. Preferably, when a selected device reaches a first threshold temperature level, the controller arms for a potential shutdown. When a selected device reaches a second higher threshold temperature, the controller preferably powers down all of the devices and executes a self-reboot operation. The controller preferably monitors a temperature of the array while the devices remain powered down, after which the storage devices are powered up and data reconstruction operations take place as required.

Claims

1. A method comprising severing an operational connection between a host device and a plurality of storage devices of a multi-device array in relation to a detected temperature of at least one storage device of said array.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the severing step comprises powering down the plurality of storage devices in relation to the detected temperature.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the severing step comprises executing a reboot operation upon a controller interposed between the plurality of storage devices and the host device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of utilizing a controller of the array to monitor a temperature of the array after the operational connection is severed.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of arming a controller coupled to the plurality of storage devices for a potential power down operation when the temperature of said at least one storage device reaches a first threshold level.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the controller powers down the plurality of storage devices when the temperature of at said at least one storage device reaches a second threshold level greater than said first threshold level.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the host device interprets the severing of the operational connection as a connectivity failure with the controller.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps of reestablishing the operational connection between the controller and the host device, and powering up a plurality of storage devices of the array.

9. An apparatus comprising a multi-device array comprising a controller and a plurality of storage devices, the controller configured to sever an operational connection between the plurality of storage devices and a host device in relation to a detected temperature of at least one said storage device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to power down the plurality of storage devices in the array in relation to the detected temperature.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to execute a self-reboot operation of the controller in relation to the detected temperature.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller further operates to monitor a temperature of the array after the operational connection is severed and while the plurality of storage devices are in a power down condition.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller arms itself for a shutdown operation when the temperature reaches a first threshold level, and proceeds to power down the plurality of storage devices and execute a self-reboot operation when the temperature reaches a second higher threshold level.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to subsequently reestablish an operational connection between the controller and the host device, and to power up the plurality of storage devices of the array when a monitored temperature of the array falls to a selected threshold level.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller comprises a temperature control circuit which receives temperature values from each of the plurality of storage devices.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to receive notification that a selected one of the storage devices has reached a first temperature threshold, and to subsequently sever the operational connection in relation to a selected one of the storage devices reaching a second, higher temperature threshold and at least one additional storage device of said plurality reaching a temperature proximate the first temperature threshold.

17. An apparatus comprising a multi-device array comprising a plurality of storage devices and first means for severing an operational connection between the plurality of storage devices and a host device in relation to a detected temperature of at least one said storage device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the multi-device array further comprises second means for monitoring a temperature of the array after the operational connection is severed and the plurality of storage devices are in a power down condition.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first means severs the operational connection by executing a reboot operation of the controller.