Redundant memory sequence and fault isolation
First Claim
1. A computer system comprising:
- a memory system comprising a plurality of memory cartridges, each of the plurality of memory cartridges comprising at least one memory device and a memory controller; and
a data controller comprising a plurality of control mechanisms, each of the plurality of control mechanisms corresponding to a respective one of the memory controllers and configured to independently interpret the transition of the corresponding memory cartridge between a first state of operation and a second state of operation, wherein the first state of operation permits the memory cartridge to be used to store data in a redundant memory array and wherein the second state of operation prevents the memory cartridge from being used to store data in a redundant memory array, and wherein the second state of operation comprises one of a disable-up state, a disable-down state, a powerup state, a powerdown state, and a verify/replace state of operation.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer system includes a plurality of memory modules that contain semiconductor memory, such as DIMMs. The system includes a host/data controller that utilizes an XOR engine to store data and parity information in a striped fashion across on a plurality of memory cartridges each containing a plurality of memory modules to create a redundant array of industry standard DIMMs (RAID). Each memory cartridge includes an independent memory controller and a corresponding control mechanism in the host/data controller to interpret the independent transitioning of each memory cartridge between various states, including a redundant-ready and a powerdown state to facilitate “hot-plug” capabilities utilizing the removable memory cartridges. Fault information may be passed between the individual memory controllers and the host/data controller to facilitate expedient fault isolation.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A computer system comprising:
-
a memory system comprising a plurality of memory cartridges, each of the plurality of memory cartridges comprising at least one memory device and a memory controller; and a data controller comprising a plurality of control mechanisms, each of the plurality of control mechanisms corresponding to a respective one of the memory controllers and configured to independently interpret the transition of the corresponding memory cartridge between a first state of operation and a second state of operation, wherein the first state of operation permits the memory cartridge to be used to store data in a redundant memory array and wherein the second state of operation prevents the memory cartridge from being used to store data in a redundant memory array, and wherein the second state of operation comprises one of a disable-up state, a disable-down state, a powerup state, a powerdown state, and a verify/replace state of operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method of hot-plugging a memory cartridge comprising the acts of:
-
(a) operating the memory cartridge in a redundant-ready state; (b) transitioning the memory cartridge from the redundant-ready state to a disable-down state to facilitate a de-assertion sequence of control signals; (c) transitioning the memory cartridge from the disable-down state to a powerdown state wherein power is de-asserted to the memory cartridge; (d) replacing at least a portion of the memory cartridge; (e) transitioning the memory cartridge from the powerdown state to a powerup state wherein power is asserted to the memory cartridge; (f) transitioning the memory cartridge from the powerup state to a disable-up state to facilitate an assertion sequence of control signals; (g) transitioning the memory cartridge from the disable-up state to a verify/replace state to verify the proper functionality of the memory cartridge and to replace data stored in the memory cartridge with valid system data; and (h) transitioning the memory cartridge from the verify/replace state to the redundant-ready state. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A of operating a memory system in a redundant mode, the memory system comprising a plurality of memory cartridges, comprising the act of independently transitioning each of the plurality of memory cartridges to a redundant-ready state, wherein the act of independently transitioning each of the plurality of memory cartridges to a redundant-ready state, comprises the act of independently transitioning each of the plurality of memory cartridges to a redundant-ready state from a disable-down state.
-
19. A of operating a memory system in a redundant mode, the memory system comprising a plurality of memory cartridges, comprising the act of independently transitioning each of the plurality of memory cartridges to a redundant-ready state, wherein the act of independently transitioning each of the plurality of memory cartridges to a redundant-ready state, comprises the act of independently transitioning each of the plurality of memory cartridges to a redundant-ready state from a disable-up state.
-
20. A of operating a memory system in a redundant mode, the memory system comprising a plurality of memory cartridges, comprising the act of independently transitioning each of the plurality of memory cartridges to a redundant-ready state, wherein the act of independently transitioning each of the plurality of memory cartridges to a redundant-ready state, comprises the act of independently transitioning each of the plurality of memory cartridges to a redundant-ready state from a verify/replace state.
Specification