Disk array device

• US 20090249008A1
• Filed: 06/04/2008
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Hosaka, Fumiaki
• Granted Patent: US 8,438,348 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/162
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/30 Means for acting in the event of power-supply failure or interruption, e.g. power-supply fluctuations for resetting only G06F1/24
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1441 Resetting or repowering

Abstract

In control of the disk array device (backup system), when a blackout occurs, the disk array device is first operated in a first method to backed up a main memory by using a power supply from a battery. During the first method, a blackout continuous time and the like are integrated, and at a timing in which the integrated value satisfies a condition, the first method is then shifted to the second method to evacuate data from the main memory onto a nonvolatile memory based on a power supply.

Claims

1. A disk array device comprising:

a disk array;

a controller thereof;

a power supply unit for normal operation; and

a battery for backup,

the controller including a first volatile memory storing first data for normal operation and a second nonvolatile memory for backup,

wherein, in backup control of the first data at a time of an occurrence of a blackout and return of a power, a first mode in which the first data is retained based on a power supply from the battery to the first memory, and a second mode in which the first data of the first memory is evacuated onto the second memory based on a power supply from the battery to respective units and which waits for return of the power, are used, and

when a blackout occurs, the disk array device is first operated in the first mode for a predetermined time period with a battery power corresponding to the time period, and the first mode is then shifted to the second mode to operate in the second mode.

2. The disk array device according to claim 1,

wherein after shifting to the second mode, when the power returns, the data of the second memory is read out and restored onto the first memory to restart the system.

3. The disk array device according to claim 1,

wherein in the control, during the first mode, a blackout continuous time is integrated, and at a timing in which a integrated value reaches a predetermined value, the first mode is shifted to the second mode.

4. The disk array device according to claim 1,

wherein in the control, during the first mode, a discharge current amount of the battery is integrated, and at a timing in which a integrated value reaches a predetermined value, the first mode is shifted to the second mode.

5. The disk array device according to claim 4,

wherein in the control, when the blackout occurs, the disk array device is first operated in the first mode until a consumption amount or a remaining amount of the battery recognized with an integrated value of the discharge current amount reaches a battery amount obtained by subtracting an amount required for the evacuating operation and an insufficient discharge amount from a capacity of the battery.

6. The disk array device according to claim 1,

wherein in the control, during the first mode, a blackout continuous time and a discharge current amount of the battery are integrated, and a timing in which a consumption amount or a remaining amount of the battery recognized with integrated values of the blackout continuous time and the discharge current amount reaches a predetermined value, the first mode is shifted to the second mode, and

the predetermined value is a battery amount and a time corresponding thereto, which are set within a range of a battery amount obtained by subtracting an amount required for the evacuating operation and an insufficient discharge amount from a capacity of the battery.

7. The disk array device according to claim 3,

wherein the disk array device has a processing function for allowing a user to set a threshold value with respect to an integrated value of the blackout continuous time on a setting screen.

8. The disk array device according to claim 6,

wherein the disk array device has a processing function for allowing a user to set the predetermined value on a setting screen.

9. The disk array device according to claim 5,

wherein in the control, the disk array device recognizes a memory configuration including the first memory capacity, and recognizes a battery amount required for the evacuating operation in accordance with the first memory capacity to determine a timing of the shift in accordance with the battery amount required for the evacuating operation.

10. The disk array device according to claim 1,

wherein before or during the control, the disk array device has a processing of checking a capacity and a remaining amount of the battery, and charging the battery to be in a fully charged state when the battery is not in the fully charged state.

11. The disk array device according to claim 1, including as a pattern of the control:

a first pattern in which during the first mode, a blackout continuous time is integrated, and at a timing in which an integrated value reaches a predetermined value, the first mode is shifted to the second mode;

a second pattern in which during the first mode, a battery discharge amount is integrated, and at a timing in which an integrated value reaches a predetermined value, the first mode is shifted to the second mode; and

a third pattern in a combination of the first pattern and the second pattern, in which at a timing when both conditions thereof are satisfied, the first mode is shifted to the second mode,

wherein the disk array device has a processing function for allowing a user to select and set a desired pattern from the first to third patterns on a setting screen.

12. A disk array device, comprising:

a disk array;

a controller thereof;

a power supply unit for normal operation; and

a battery for backup,

the controller including;

a first volatile memory storing first data for normal operation and a second nonvolatile memory for backup; and

a control microcomputer and a memory controller connected to the first and second memories, the power supply unit for normal operation and the battery,

wherein, in backup control of the first data at a time of an occurrence of a blackout and return of a power, the control microcomputer uses a first mode in which the first data is retained based on a power supply from the battery to the first memory, and a second mode in which the first data of the first memory is evacuated onto the second memory based on a power supply from the battery to respective units and which waits for return of the power, and

when a blackout occurs, the disk array device is first operated in the first mode for a predetermined time period with a battery power corresponding to the time period, and the first mode is then shifted to the second mode to operate in the second mode.

13. The disk array device according to claim 12,

wherein the control microcomputer performs detection of an occurrence of a blackout and return of a power based on a power supply from the power supply unit for normal operation;

integration of a blackout continuous time by a counter function;

recognition of a configuration of the first memory; and

control of the evacuating operation by reading out and writing the data with respect to the first and second memories using the memory controller.

14. The disk array device according to claim 13, further comprising a current amount detection circuit connected to the battery,

wherein the control microcomputer integrates a discharge current amount of the battery using the current amount detection circuit, and recognizes a battery state with the integration.

15. The disk array device according to claim 13,

wherein the disk array device has a processing function to perform a setting with respect to control of the shift through a higher processor connected to the control microcomputer.

16. A disk array device, comprising:

a disk array;

a controller thereof;

a power supply unit for normal operation; and

a battery for backup,

the controller having a package of a cash memory, and the package of the cash memory having;

a first volatile memory storing first data for normal operation; and

a control microcomputer and a memory controller connected to the first memory, the power supply unit for normal operation, and the battery,

wherein a second nonvolatile memory and the battery for backup are connected to or built in the package of the cash memory,

in backup control of the first data at a time of an occurrence of a blackout and return of a power, the control microcomputer uses a first mode in which the first data is retained based on a power supply from the battery to the first memory, and a second mode in which the first data of the first memory is evacuated onto the second memory based on a power supply from the battery to respective units and which waits for return of the power, and

when a blackout occurs, the disk array device is first operated in the first mode for a predetermined time period with a battery power corresponding to the time period, and the first mode is then shifted to the second mode to operate in the second mode.