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Disk array having hot spare resources and methods for using hot spare resources to store user data

  • US 5,666,512 A
  • Filed: 02/10/1995
  • Issued: 09/09/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for providing storage space in a hierarchic storage disk array for use in rebuilding in the event a storage disk fails, the disk array having a plurality of storage disks that define a physical storage space the physical storage space being mapped into a RAID-level virtual storage space that presents the physical storage space as multiple RAID areas including mirror and parity RAID areas, the method comprising the following steps:

  • prior to a disk failure, storing user data in both the mirror and parity RAID areas in a manner that the user data is distributed across all of the storage disks;

    storing redundant data on at least one of the storage disks;

    ensuring that a sufficient quantity of storage space can be made available for reconstructing the user data and restoring redundancy in the event one of the storage disks fails so that the user data is stored in both the mirror and parity RAID areas on all storage disks before and after the storage disk failure; and

    using the quantity of storage space to store both user and redundant data until the storage disk failure occurs.

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